Hybrid Senior Operations Officer bei Street Child

Job Title: Senior Operations Officer
Reports To: Head of Finance and Operations
Duty Station: Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Contract Term: Fixed term contract, full-time
Working Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30am - 5:15pm, Friday 8:30am - 1:30pm

Background:

Street Child is a UK charity working to protect vulnerable children and improve access to education in some of the poorest communities in the world. Since November 2016, Street Child has been actively involved in humanitarian response efforts in Nigeria, as well as being a partner of the Education in Emergencies Working Group.

Street Child works in the fields of education, child protection, and livelihoods, delivering sustainable solutions and creating maximum impact. Our work includes counselling, family mediation, business support, school building, teacher training, and child protection. We operate through local partnerships and emphasize sustainable development through community participation.

About the Job

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective, strategic management of project resources and responsible for overseeing procurement, logistics and administrative functions for Street Child of Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement

• Collaborate with project managers and program teams to understand procurement needs for upcoming projects.
• Develop procurement plans, outlining the required goods and services, delivery timelines, and budget considerations.
• Identify potential suppliers, conduct market research, and maintain a comprehensive vendor database.
• Manage the bidding process, evaluate proposals, and negotiate contracts to secure favorable terms and conditions.
• Ensure adherence to donor requirements, local laws, and organizational procurement policies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date procurement documentation.
• Work closely with finance and project teams to align procurement activities with project budgets.
• Monitor and control procurement-related expenditures, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Establish and implement quality control measures for procured goods and services to meet organizational standards.
• Conduct inspections and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve any quality issues.
• Identify and assess risks associated with procurement activities and develop mitigation strategies.
• Stay informed about changes in regulations or market conditions that may impact procurement processes.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration with project teams, ensuring a clear understanding of procurement needs.
• Prepare regular reports on procurement activities, including status updates, challenges, and key performance indicators.
• Support the organization in generating reports required by donors or regulatory authorities.
• Promote ethical sourcing practices and sustainable procurement principles.
• Consider environmental and social factors in procurement decisions whenever applicable.

Logistics

• Collaborate with program teams to forecast and plan for project-related logistics, ensuring the availability of necessary resources.
• Coordinate internal and external events, workshops, and meetings as needed.
• Manage logistical arrangements for events, including venue booking and catering.
• Manage the inventory of project supplies and equipment, optimizing stock levels to prevent shortages or excesses.
• Coordinate the transportation of goods and materials to project sites, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project timelines.
• Liaise with transportation providers and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and safety standards.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of project assets, including equipment, vehicles, and other resources.
• Implement asset tracking systems to monitor usage, maintenance, and depreciation.
• Oversee the logistical aspects of setting up temporary project offices and facilities as needed.
• Ensure that project sites have the necessary infrastructure and utilities for efficient operations.
• Act as a focal point for communication between program teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders regarding logistics-related matters.
• Coordinate with external partners and vendors to ensure seamless logistical support for project activities.
• Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations related to logistics, transportation, and distribution.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all logistics-related transactions and activities.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of emergency preparedness plans, including logistics support for disaster response activities.

Operations

• Oversee day-to-day administrative functions, including office management, facilities, and support services.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Coordinate repairs and maintenance of office assets, equipment, office facilities, including plumbing, electrical, and structural repairs.
• Liaise with external service providers to ensure timely and cost-effective maintenance solutions.
• Monitor and manage utilities such as electricity, water, and internet services to ensure uninterrupted office operations.
• Negotiate and coordinate service agreements with utility providers.
• Collaborate with security advisor to ensure the safety and security of the office premises.
• Implement and monitor security protocols to safeguard staff and assets.

Strategic Planning and Capacity Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement plan aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide leadership in negotiating complex contracts, leveraging relationships with suppliers, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the capacity of staff for both Street Child and Implementing Partners in procurement, administration, and logistics.
• Mentor and guide team members for continuous improvement and professional development.
• Collaborate with Operations Manager to align departmental strategies with the overall mission of the organization.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement strategies to mitigate risks associated with procurement, administration, and logistics.
• Develop and update policies and procedures related to procurement, administration, and logistics.
• Ensure that policies are in line with best practices and compliant with donor regulations.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for procurement, administration, and logistics functions.
• Monitor performance against established KPIs and implement improvements as necessary.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including suppliers, service providers, and relevant government agencies.
• Represent the organization in clusters, strategic forums and partnerships related to procurement and logistics.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies to streamline procurement, administration, and logistics processes.

Other Tasks:

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor and Senior Management to ensure office efficiency.

Requirements

• Nigerian nationals only.
• Minimum of BSc/ BA in Administration, Business Management, Supply Chain, Economics or a related field.
• Masters Degree preferred.
• Completed Youth Service.
• Additional professional certificates from CIPS or similar other professional awarding body in procurement, logistics, or administration are advantageous.
• Requires at least 5 years of pertinent professional experience within the Operations unit of a reputed international organization, preferably on donor-funded projects.
• Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in senior-level positions, specifically in procurement, logistics, and administration within International Organizations.
• Must possess prior work experience in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states within the last 5 years.
• We strongly encourage female candidates and candidates from BAY states to apply.

Core values

• Commitment to Street Child’s mission, vision, and values.
• We value high integrity, honesty, confidentiality and willingness to work in a flexible, dynamic, and challenging environment.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as core principles.

Required Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills: Fluent in English; strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities efficiently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and Strong leadership to guide and motivate the team.
• Ability to think big-picture and contribute to the organization's overall goals.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement processes and contract negotiation.
• Expertise in managing transportation, distribution, and inventory.
• Skill in creating and updating organization policies.
• Ability to set and track performance goals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with external partners.
• Awareness of new trends and ability to implement technology solutions.
• Clear and effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving abilities using data.
• Flexibility to handle changing circumstances in donor-funded projects.
• Excellent organization with attention to detail.

To Apply

• Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early application is encouraged

Disclaimer

Street Child welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief or age. Street Child Nigeria does not charge any fees for recruitment and does not use any employment mediator. Any attempt at canvassing at any stage of the recruitment process will lead to direct disqualification and blacklisting.