DRC: Central Africa Operations Manager

Feb 11, 2020 | World Resources Institute
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World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. WRI is working to address six critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water and sustainable cities. WRI is passionate. It values diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. It has a flexible work environment. And it shares a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Its shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of its work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. WRI works with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, WRI brings together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

WRI has been growing rapidly: its staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of nearly 700 people with work spanning 50 countries. It has offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.  WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. 

As Operations Manager for Central Africa, you will work closely with the Forest Program, Global Operations support teams in Washington, DC and Addis Ababa to enable the smooth running of all basic functions for our WRI DRC Office. You will work closely with program and operations leadership to oversee the financial, administrative, legal, and other operations of the DRC office to ensure effective support for WRI’s local team to achieve its objectives.

WRI is committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and social inclusion, including gender equity, in all of its program portfolios. As such, the Operations Manager in Central Africa will also seek to uphold WRI’s values and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion and cultivate a supportive work environment for all staff within the DRC office.

Job responsibilities

Manage all operational processes for WRI project offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (ROC) in accordance with each country’s laws and WRI policies, including:

  • Finance and accounting
  • Risk management
  • Compliance
  • Grants and contracts
  • Registration and legal affairs
  • Human Resources
  • Office Administration
  • Information System
  • Facilities

Management:

  • Work with the DRC Country Lead, Regional Director for Africa, and other relevant staff to support strategic planning for WRI programs in DRC and ROC
  • Manage overall development and implementation of operating procedures for Central Africa with the DRC Country Lead and Africa Operations Director
  • Manage operations staff (e.g. HR, Finance, Accounting, Administration) and daily operations activities in DRC and ROC
  • May formally represent WRI in the DRC and the ROC, if necessary

Finance, Accounting, Grant & Contract and Compliance:

  • Oversee the Finance and Accounting functions in the WRI offices of the DRC and ROC to ensure compliance with local accounting regulations and WRI systems as well as to ensuring segregation of duties and maintaining effective internal controls
  • Review and ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of all donor agreements
  • Review financial statements, activity reports, and other performance data from WRI offices in the DRC and ROC to monitor expenditures, compliance with internal and donor policies, and track budget expenditures
  • Work closely with the Africa Grant and Contract Manager to manage administration of subgrants, research agreements, professional service agreements, grants, and contracts
  • Manage and track overall program budgets including working with Forest program and Africa operations staff to carry out quarterly reviews, monitor spending rates, and submit cash requests on a quarterly basis 
  • Work closely with individual project managers on an ongoing basis to ensure project financials and outcomes/deliverables are on track
  • On a monthly basis, review office financials and carry out bank account reconciliations
  • Work closely with the Director of Operations Africa and Global Accounting Office to oversee external audit activities (for the entity and the projects), including the negotiation of costs and work
  • Manage and work closely the Director of Operations Africa to execute the annual budgeting process for WRI offices in DRC and ROC
  • Apply appropriate risk mitigation measures to ensure WRI’s DRC and RC programs and records are compliant
  • Ensure that the potential risk is recorded

Human Resources:

  • Analyze and update HR-related policies as needed for DRC and ROC, including compensation and benefits policies, to establish competitive programs and compliance with statutory requirements in consultation with the DRC Country Lead, Global HR team and the Director of Operations of WRI Africa.
  • Prepare job descriptions and support recruitment activities together with the DRC Country Lead and other relevant WRI Africa staff
  • Maintain personnel files and HRIS database and manage other administrative tasks as needed.
  • Manage employee relations and HR processes including new employee induction and annual performance reviews with the support of the Director of Operations of WRI Africa and the Global HR Team to manage help create a positive and productive work environment for all staff in their respective offices
  • Conduct compliance trainings and support staff access to professional training and development opportunities
  • Represent the DRC office in Global HR discussions and maintain regular exchanges the designated human resources representative in the Washington, DC office
  • Perform other human resource/administration projects and functions as needed
  • Consult the Senior Gender Advisor for gender-related responsibilities specific to each position when developing job descriptions.

Information Systems (IT):

  • Confer with WRI DRC Country Manager, the Director of Operations of WRI Africa, the IT support team in Washington DC and Mindshift, and project personnel to identify and resolve problems

Administration:

  • Manage all other operational functions and staff of WRI offices in DRC and ROC
  • Ensure that Employee Handbook, financial procedures, emergency operations plan, and other administrative procedures are up to date and relevant to the needs of WRI offices in the DRC and ROC

Legal:

  • Manage relationship with WRI’s local counsel in DRC to ensure that the office is aware of and compliant with all relevant legal obligations with respect to fiscal, tax, statutory, or labor laws
  • Ensure annual and/or periodic reports (as required) to the authorities concerned comply with all laws and regulations with WRI in DRC and ROC
  • Work with WRI's Africa and Global offices, as well as the DRC / ROC operations’ team to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations

Security:

  • Implement and manage new security tools and processes, including incident response procedures, etc.
  • Liaise regularly with WRI’s Security Officer
  • Monitor safety and security developments within DRC and ROC which may impact staff or programmatic work
  • Lead trainings for staff on security systems and processes
  • Advise WRI staff and consultants traveling in the region

Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in business management, finance, accounting or related field. Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of work experience will also be considered.
  • Detailed oriented and organized with at least 5-7 years of experience in finance and operations working on international development programs; prior management experience preferred 
  • Strong financials skills, with solid experience in financial planning, budget oversight, grant management, and oversight of sub-grants and contracts
  • Adequate knowledge of financial and accounting requirements and rules, labor laws, and latest regulations on international non-governmental organizations
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a passion to work with people across all levels, functions, and programs to build a strong coherent institution
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in French and English
  • Good Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) skills. Capability to learn and use software applications/databases that are used by WRI. Prior experience with SAGE is an asset.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with tight deadlines. Flexible and able to work with minimal direction and supervision if necessary. Resourceful, creative, comfortable with ambiguity and results oriented.
  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
  • Enjoys working within a large, diverse, dynamic and collaborative team environment
  • Willingness to travel up to 20% of time.

How to Apply

Resume and cover letter required. Previous grant writing or other writing sample welcome. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered: https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/jobs