Chemonics seeks an operations director for the anticipated USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded Regional Disaster Assistance Program (RDAP). The operations director will manage the day-to-day operations and administration of RDAP, to include project procurements, operational systems, logistics, and financial management. The operations director will work with the chief of party to oversee operations and administration for project activities across more than 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Individuals with experience working with BHA on disaster management and response programming are highly encouraged to apply. This program is in the proposal stage and the position is contingent upon the future solicitation and USAID’s award decision for the new program. The preferred location for this role is San Jose, Costa Rica. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Responsibilities include:
- Support the chief of party in providing leadership on the management and operations of the activity and ensure successful achievement of results as defined in the award
- Supervise day-to-day field presence in the areas of operation (including the project’s facilities such as office space, equipment, and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, subcontract management, grants administration, budgeting and financial accounting, and IT and information security
- Oversee and monitor the development and implementation of the grants program, including training and institutional capacity building of grantees
- Ensure project compliance with all contractual and administrative requirements, with support from home office and operations/finance teams, in coordination with USAID/BHA Regional Office
- Support the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and other program staff, as needed, in the activity development aspects of the project, while staying apprised of the changing local political, legal, and economic environment and on how to continuously adapt the program to lead responses to natural disasters and complex emergencies; and build capacity of national emergency management systems, ministries, communities, and local and regional entities to mitigate and respond to disasters
- Identify and mitigate risks to the project, Chemonics, and client
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant project management and program coordination experience, preferably in Latin America and the Caribbean, and/or an advanced degree in international development or a related field
- Experience working in disaster management and response programming highly desired
- Experience working with USAID/BHA highly desired
- Demonstrated capacity in grants under contract, finance, procurement, and human resources and experience overseeing these areas
- Strong interpersonal skills with proven experience facilitating communications and coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
- Demonstrated capacity to manage regional teams and subcontractors on complex donor-funded programs of at least $10 million dollars
- Experience implementing projects with gender and protection considerations, ensuring program outcomes meet the needs of women and girls and other vulnerable groups (i.e., indigenous people, individuals from LGBTI communities, and individuals with disabilities)
- Ability to liaise and navigate effectively with government agencies, host-country government officials, universities, private sector stakeholders, and other donors
- Outstanding problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and flexibility
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
- Fluency in Spanish and English required
- Preferred location is San Jose, Costa Rica