Operations Manager (Management, Finance and Administration)

THE ORGANIZATION
The charitable organization “Fondation Lotti Latrous” was established in Switzerland in 2004 with an office in Zurich (Foundation) and a local NGO called “ONG Internationale L’Espoir Adjouffou-Bassam” (ONG) in Ivory Coast (CI). The Foundation’s goal is to support and treat sick or dying people and their children in sub-Saharan Africa (especially regarding AIDS). It achieves this mainly by providing significant support to the NGO in Grand Bassam CI as well as by supporting similar or equivalent initiatives (www.lottilatrous.ch).

The NGO manages local operations in CI, which consist of three Centres in Grand Bassam, CI (80
employees). The Centres consist of the Centre Espoir Un (outpatient clinic for medical and social
consultations), the Centre Espoir D’Eux (hospice with 15 beds), the OAZIZ d’Espoir (children’s home for 35 children with HIV/AIDS) and Village Ayoba L’Espoir (housing for disabled elderly people – 13 units).

In preparing for the succession of founder Lotti Latrous, activities in Ivory Coast will be managed by an Executive Team of three people: a Social Services Manager, a Medical Services Manager, and an Operations Manager (management, finances and administration) to name.

THE ROLE
NGO Operations Manager (management, finances, and administration): The holder of this position will manage the operational activities of the NGO in CI and – as ” primus inter pares” – the Executive Team. The incumbent will report to the President of the Board of Directors of the NGO and the Founder.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Operations Manager (management, finance, and administration) will be responsible to

• Manage operations, maintain, and improve the infrastructure and technical projects of the centres,
• as ” primus inter pares”, manage the International NGO in CI and its Centres in close collaboration with colleagues from the Executive Office,
• select, manage, support, and develop infrastructure and operational staff,
• represent the organization and operations to authorities and third parties, in consultation with the president and colleagues from the “executive office”,
• ensure good financial management of the NGO and the Centres (by staff and external financial service providers),
• support those responsible for medical and social services in their tasks,
• manage, support, and supervise the social services team and its members (social workers, childcare workers, nannies, teachers, and other psycho-social specialists),
• replace the Social Services Manager during the latter’s on-call and absence phases,
• report to the board of directors of the international NGO and, upon request, to the foundation board in Switzerland, on the state of affairs and on all activities of the CI.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
To fulfil this role, the ideal candidate must possess the following skills:

Role Expertise: The most important functional skills for the role are as follows.

1. Professional experience in Africa: deep understanding of and personal interest in Africa and its people, as well as proven ability to listen without prejudice, adapt and collaborate effectively and convincingly at all levels in this environment,
2. experience managing operational finance, administration, and infrastructure: has led – with proven success – hands-on operational functions in diverse cultural environments, provides structure and organization to those around them and has an analytical mind and adequate financial/accounting and technical understanding to supervise these functions,
3. strong affinity and (preferably) experience working with the humanitarian and healthcare sectors: has demonstrated genuine compassion, humility, desire, and resilience necessary to serve and help those in need, the sick and dying, and the ability and insight to do so with patience, penmindedness, respect, and emotional intelligence,
4. well-developed communication skills: speaking and writing in French fluently, thoughtfully, and convincingly; and ideally, a good command of English and/or German.

Encouraging team leadership: The candidate will be able to identify, recruit, manage (firmly if necessary) and ensure the performance of their own team of technical and infrastructure personnel. An attitude of practical helping to be demonstrated by the willingness to become personally involved if the situation requires it.
Internal collaboration skills: The candidate must be able – collaboratively and sensitively – to support, coach and guide executive office peers/colleagues in their duties, particularly regarding management and development human resources as well as financial planning and management.
External Representation Skills: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working and partnering with the external environment, such as suppliers, government agencies, utilities as well as civil society and the donor community at the international scale.

The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:
Education and training: secondary school diploma (giving access to university) such as the Swiss “Maturité”, the French “Bac +3” or the “IB – International Baccalaureate “, supplemented by academic, professional and/ or other in operational or administrative management in the humanitarian, healthcare (hospitals) or similar sector. Strong command of basic computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Professional experience: five or more years of relevant management experience, ideally acquired in the humanitarian aid or healthcare sectors; International work and deployment experience within a competent NGO would be highly desirable.

Age: Although there is no age limit, the candidate must be willing and able to hold the position for a period of five years or more.

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Work Location: The position is based in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast. On-site accommodation in Grand-Bassam will be offered.

Contractual conditions: For a qualified individual who meets these specifications, a full-time employment contract with competitive remuneration and paid leave (compared to the sector) will be offered.