Operation Director

The Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Associations (CCRDA), which was founded in May 1973, is a national umbrella organization of more than 469 national and international organizations operating in Ethiopia. CCRDA member organizations are engaged in various development activities, including agriculture and food security, rural development, health, water and sanitation, urban development, environmental protection, gender mainstreaming, humanitarian responses, etc.

CCRDA envisions seeing a prosperous Ethiopia with vibrant civil society organizations operating in an environment of assured social justice. CCRDA’s mission is facilitating an enabling environment for its members and enhances their effectiveness, meaningful, and coordinated contribution to national development endeavors.  To fulfill its mission, every five years CCRDA has been undertaking strategic revision and defined its strategic objectives by assessing both the internal and external environment. 

The Consortium of Christian Relief & Development Association (CCRDA) is looking for a highly motivated professional to fill the following post.

Report to: Executive Director

The Operation Director reports directly to the Executive Director, and proactively identify and contribute to defining CCRDA’s strategic and operational priorities and oversees the Program Development Core Team, Resource Mobilization, Partnership Promotion and Contract Management Core Team, Human & Administration Core Team, Finance & Procurement Core Team, & Communication and Social Marketing Core Team. He/ She strategically leads the organization to achieve operational excellence in all Core Teams management and operational functions. He/she also ensures operational effectiveness and accountability for results (i.e. all organizational resources (Human, Financial & Information Communication) are optimally deployed to support programme delivery, monitoring, and reporting. 

Duties and Responsibilities include: -

Program Development & Management-PDMCT

• Support the Executive Director in strategy development and updates, contributing to strategic exercises, also with the Board of Directors.
• Support the Executive Director to represent CCRDA at donor and partner meetings, and support PDMCT/Project Coordinators in any encounters and communication with donors, partners, and members.
• Support the PDMCT in programme design by participating in design workshops, brainstorming, and proposal development.
• Actively engages in fund-raising initiatives adhering to a defined resource mobilization strategy and other opportunities to improve the resource basis of CCRDA programs. 
• Support program design by providing to the PDMCT key input and data.

Project Implementation:

• Supervise/support PDMCT/project coordinators under the different pillars, supporting them with key decision making, strategy, and ensuring quality implementation.
• Follow-up closely on project implementation in line with the budget, proposal, and log frame of each respective project, ensuring meeting objectives and indicators.
• Propose changes and adaptations to projects as needed based on changes in context, shifting donor priorities or requests, and operational challenges.
• Report any major challenges, changes, and constraints to the Executive Director, along with potential solutions or actions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning-MEAL:

• Supervise and work closely with the MEAL Coordinator to ensure proper implementation of all MEAL activities under all projects.
• Work closely with the MEAL Coordinator to revise CCRDA’s MEAL Policy and implement it, including development of new tools, procedures, and templates.
• Support the MEAL Coordinator in evaluations.
• Ensure proper learning at CCRDA by working with the MEAL Coordinator to document lessons and success stories.

Financial and Procurement Management

• Supervise and work closely with the Finance and Procurement Core Team across all financial tasks and activities.
• Work closely with the Finance and Procurement Core Team and Project Coordinators to ensure proper budget follow-up and donor compliance.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of the organization's resources and stewardship of its assets, from the development of strategic integrated budgets through to statutory financial reporting in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standard.
• Lead at monthly Budget Review Meetings with the Finance and Procurement Core Team and Project Coordinators, ensuring forecasts are sent on time, under and over-spending are identified on time, and action points are documented and followed up on.
• Oversee the Budget and Allocation along with the Executive Director, notifying in case of any gaps in support functions and/or core costs.
• Oversee the Finance and Procurement Core Team, ensuring CCRDA’s Finance Policy is correctly abided to.
• Oversee abidance to all laws and regulations of the Ministry of Finance and others as required.
• Supervise and work closely with the Finance and Procurement Core Team to ensure procurement process is maintained.
• Supervise/Ensure transparency and accountability across all purchases and procurements, and identify potential conflicts of interest, among other risks.

Human Resources & Administration 

• Supervise and work closely with the Human Resource and Administration Core Team to ensure abidance to all recruitment procedures, proper communication, and filing of all relevant HR documentation.
• Ensure that CCRDA’s spirit and values are respected by all staff, and that staff comply with CCRDA’s core objectives.
• Support the Human Resource and Administration Core Team to ensure that staff evaluations are implemented as per HR Policy.
• Ensure a positive environment in the offices and organize weekly and monthly meetings as needed.
• Inspire and encourage team members to be strategic and innovative, determine priorities, assign responsibilities, supervise, and support staff as needed.
• Ensure the high performance of the teams through staff development and training opportunities.
• Ensures the management of properties in compliance with the organization’s policy and procedure.
• Ensures the development/review of the property & material management policy of the organization.
• Ensures that the legal status of the organization is maintained on time. 

Communication & Social Marketing

• Supervise/ensures the undertaking of information need assessment at regular intervals and plans to respond to the identified needs of stakeholders particularly of the various units in the organization and members.
• Supervise/ensures that modern and efficient information/communication system is put in place within the organization, and for dissemination of information to members.
• Supports the documentation, publication, and disseminations of best practices of the program run by the organization to enhance learning among stakeholders and particularly of members.
• Supervise & provides technical assistance in the development and dissemination of PR and other communication materials. 
• Ensures that information regularly produced by the Communication & Social Marketing Core Team is disseminated to members, partners, other relevant organizations, and staff.
• Ensures that relevant happenings and events are well recorded and disseminated via appropriate communication system.
• He/ She Carries out additional responsibilities assigned by the Executive Director. 

Strategic Oversight

• Strategic oversight, direction, and advice on all CCRDA management, aiming at the achievement of the following results:
• Advice on operations strategies, policies and plans affecting operations, program deliverables and staffing. 
• Analyzing, guide CCRDA’s operational strategies and activities. 
• Successful implementation of operational strategies and direct establishment of management achievements with operations. 
• Maintain regular control on operations budget and identify any exceptions or possible implications of under / overspending in a timely manner. 
• Promote continuous organizational learning culture with the empowerment of individuals and teams with the identification of learning needs. Create learning opportunities and ensure access to available learning resources. 

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Work with all CCRDA staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD/MA/MSc in Business Administration, Operation Management, Management, Economics, or a related field of study.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and leading teams.
• Proven experience of leading civil society organization.
• 14 years of relevant professional experience in increasingly responsible roles of which at least 7 years in senior leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of governance, membership, partnerships, programs, and impact reporting in a non-profit organization.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, team building and capacity building.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets, timelines, and work plans.
• Proven experience in fundraising and grant writing.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of organizational operations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Full adherence to CCRDA’s mission and vision, as well as core values.
• Experience in development and humanitarian work, team and organizational management, team management across support and programme functions.
• Excellent organizational and time-management, managerial and leadership, and interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Computer literate with a high degree of proficiency and productivity.
• Knowledge of NGOs and donors, priorities, and requirements.
• Ability to represent CCRDA externally at high level meetings.
• Extensive experience in Project Cycle Management and all support functions.

Requirements

• Superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, grants, logistics, procurement, and employee management
• Proven ability to plan and manage operational processes for maximum efficiency and productivity.
• Sound understanding of the challenges CSOs are facing.
• Good networker with contacts in the sector.
• Ambitious and hardworking, prepared to work long hours if required.
• Diligent, reliable, and focused, team player
• Self-starter, striving for excellence, preparedness to take on responsibility for optimal delivery.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Conceptual Competencies

• Program & Project development.
• Sector knowledge. 
• General Human resource management
• General Financial Planning 
• Resource mobilization
• Communication & social marketing 
• Labor law and gender policy

Technical Competencies

• Fund management and grant administration.
• Gender mainstreaming
• Fund management and grant administration.
• Counseling, coaching and mentoring.
• Problem solving
• Training and presentation
• Computer proficiency and technological awareness
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills

Interpersonal Competencies

• Supportive communication skills
• Team building and management.
• Listening
• Accommodativeness
• Relationship management

 Behavioral Competencies

• Balancing and tolerance
• Sympathy
• Collaboration and gender sensitivity
• Diligence
• Strong personal and professional ethic
• Integrity and accountability 
• Multitasking and working under pressure.
• Cultural adaptiveness and learning 

How to apply; Interested and qualified applicants are required to submit non-returnable copy of their application letter and credential to the Human Resource Department 3rd floor room number 307 within 10 days after the date of vacancy announcement or send by email at: hr@ccrdaeth.org

Further information:                                                                         

CCRDA value diversity and aspires to reflect it in its workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, color, gender, age, disability, religion, or belief.

CCRDA is committed to providing a safe and trusted environment for every person connected to the work we do; and to preventing any type of unwanted behavior including sexual harassment and exploitation, abuse, and financial misconduct. Any candidate offered a job with CCRDA is expected to share and demonstrate our values and adhere to CCRDA’s Safeguarding policy and sign CCRDA’s Code of Conduct

Address: Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), Akaki Kality Sub City, Tel 0114390322, P.O. Box 5674, Debreziet road, adjacent to the Kality Ring Road round about, in front of Drivers and Mechanics Training Center.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Female Applicants are Highly Encouraged to Apply.