Director of Operations

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

Scope of Work (SoW)

USAID BIODIVERSITY

Director for Operations

Project Background

USAID Biodiversity will conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard Nepal’s biodiversity to improve the health of ecosystems, fight environmental crime, and improve the ability of communities to prepare for and adapt to impacts caused by climate change and natural disasters. USAID Biodiversity will achieve measurable conservation targets within the biodiversity-rich, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems of the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape, while increasing resilience to climate change and contributing to inclusive and sustainable development of the Nepali people. To accomplish this, USAID Biodiversity will implement activities aligned with three mutually interrelated and reinforcing objectives: improve the health of ecosystems (Objective 1), strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards (Objective 2), and enhance the climate resilience of natural and human systems (Objective 3).

1. Objectives of the assignment 

The Director of Operations will carry out the financial and operational management of the USAID Biodiversity, ensuring strict compliance with USAID rules and regulations, Nepali law, and DAI’s policies and procedures.

2. Tasks & Responsibilities

In order to achieve the results identified in the SoW, the Director of Operations will supervise and lead the USAID Biodiversity Finance and Operations team and oversee all aspects of the project’s financial management and budgeting, procurement, grants/subcontracts, human resources, office administration and logistics, including start-up activities: 

• Oversee project operations, including administration, logistics, procurement, grants, budgeting, finance, and property management. 
• With Chief of Party, ensure compliance with the USAID Biodiversity contract, USG, USAID and DAI regulations, and Nepali law. 
• Manage project and operation budget and financial analyses, in collaboration with the COP and the Home Office Project Manager.
• Supervise the daily financial operations of the contract, which include cash flow management, time sheet recording, and complete daily monitoring of obligations, budgets and pipelines, and expenditures.
• Oversee the project procurement processes and assure the most reasonable, expeditious, and appropriate procurement choices were made pursuant to DAI’s Field Operations Manual. 
• Contribute to the development of, and compliance with, USAID Biodiversity’s Grants Under Contract Manual. Manage the Biodiversity grants program, including oversight of grantee operations, finance and administration.  
• Coordinate closely with technical and finance team to track technical and financial performance.
• Supervise all of USAID Biodiversity’s human resources (HR) efforts including the identifying, vetting, compliance, and hiring of personnel. Ensure HR processes comply with local labor law, tax law, DAI policy and USAID regulations. 
• Conduct regular capacity training to USAID Biodiversity staff on Finance, Procurement, and Ethics.
• Ensure Field Operations Manual is up-to-date and project team is regularly using it to guide administration of activities. 
• Support the drafting and upkeep of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, act as the Security Focal Point for the project
• Facilitate close coordination between Biodiversity Action Fund, technical, and operations teams to ensure expeditious and compliant activity planning.
• Support preparation of USAID contract deliverables such as quarterly reports, quarterly financial reports, accruals, and workplans.
• Support operational start-up of USAID Biodiversity, including the timely opening of all regional offices.
• Directly supervise the Senior Action Fund Manager, IT & Database Manager, Procurement Manager, and the Finance and Administration Manager.

3. Qualifications 

• University degree in a relevant field; master’s preferred.
• At least 13 years of experience if master’s degree holder/15 years of experience if bachelor’s degree holder in the operations, finance and administration management of complex development programs of a similar size and scale is required. (Subtract one year of relevant experience—12 years with MA or 14 years with BA—for persons of excluded groups)
• Demonstrated supervisory experience. Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience is required; 8 years is desired. 
• Fluent in USAID policies and procedures regarding procurement processes and financial compliance
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of professional relationships
• Experience developing and/or maintain budget tracking records.
• Demonstrated experience administering and managing complex grant funding, including experience with procedures to monitor, evaluate, and report on grant implementation and expenditures
• Experience with USAID donor requirements is a plus, but not required. 
• Experience with DAI systems and management tools a plus, but not required. 

Application instructions:

Select the position in which you are interested in applying for, fill out the required information and upload your CV. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps. 

Application link: 

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/uka9tccny3/index

Interested candidates should submit their application no later than 1st March 2023.

Women and persons from excluded groups are encouraged to apply.

Consistent with DAI’s commitment to attracting and retaining staff from all races, ethnicities, castes and backgrounds, DAI may adjust eligibility requirements to allow for applicants from excluded groups.  In these cases, the Scope of Work and vacancy announcement will clearly indicate the minimum requirements according to the Country Compensation Plan as well as the revised minimum requirements for applicants representing an excluded group. DAI promotes workforce diversity and in Nepal, DAI considers excluded groups to be women, Dalits, indigenous ethnic minority groups, Madhesi, Muslim, persons with disabilities, people living in remote areas, and sexual and gender minorities.