Recruitment Notice for a Director of Operations at Helen Keller Intl
(Yaoundé-Cameroon)
About Helen Keller Intl
Helen Keller International is an International Non-Governmental Organization with a non-profit mission to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. It fights against the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on data and research around vision, health and nutrition. Present in Cameroon since 1992, we intervene more specifically in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases and malnutrition.
Helen Keller International Cameroon is looking for a qualified candidate for the position of Director of Operations to join our expanding national program in Cameroon.
Job Title: Director of Operations
Location: Yaoundé, with frequent travel across the country or abroad Contract Type: Fixed-term employment contract
Contract duration: 1 year
Scope of functions
Reporting to the National Director, the Director of Operations will ensure operational functions: human resources, purchasing, administration, IT, logistics and security, she will lead operations and facilitate collaboration with other programs. This position supervises a team of 17 people in Yaoundé and Maroua.
Main responsibilities:
- Implement the organization’s operational strategies and policies
- Ensure that operations conducted within the national office comply with Helen Keller Intl rules and regulations.
- Provide advice on operations management issues to the National Director
- Supervise and lead operational teams, conduct compliance checks, analyze learning needs and implement training plans in the national office
- Foster network cooperation between operational teams, analyze processes, identify opportunities for improvement and propose the development of organization-wide initiatives
- Maintain performance indicators and ensure the optimization of existing framework agreements.
Specific responsibilities
Overall management and leadership
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- As a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), participate and contribute to the planning and definition of the orientations of the national office and its programs.
- Modeling operations team collaboration: consulting and informing colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing to maximize performance.
- Review and assess the status of national office policies, procedures and workflows, identify gaps or outdated policies and prioritize improvements.
- Stay abreast of changes in laws and regulations of local authorities (e.g., Non-Governmental Organization Consortium, Department of Taxation) and constituents that impact Helen Keller’s operations.
- Build a highly effective operations team, supervising, coaching and evaluating staff, and frequently checking in with team members on their performance.
- Delegate authority, consult and guide staff to achieve objectives and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development
- Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues and donors by providing continuous feedback in a context of mutual respect. • Participate in international working groups responsible for developing global policies and/or optimizing systems and procedures.
- Work closely with headquarters managers on any file related to operations in Cameroon
- Manage and supervise operational support for the implementation of programs On its relationship with the programs
- Hold a weekly meeting with the Program Director
- Monitor program expectations through a weekly expectations tracking table
Part-time jobs
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of finance, business administration, management or other related disciplines deemed relevant.
Professional experience
- At least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the fields of management, finance, administration, operations or other related fields deemed relevant, including at least five years in a similar position, preferably in an international NGO;
- Experience in leading and managing team performance.
- Experience in developing and implementing innovative initiatives to improve operations.
Skills and competencies
- Excellent knowledge of operations, finance, purchasing, human resources, Information and Communication Technology and security systems and processes.
- Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to establish networks and partnerships, participate in negotiations and influence decision-making.
- Ability to lead operational process improvement and implement change management approaches.
- Ability to analyze operations, identify risks and opportunities, propose mitigation measures and put in place adequate monitoring frameworks.
- Excellent computer skills and knowledge of enterprise resource planning tools for financial management, human resources management or administrative management.
- Interest in international development and public health programs and understanding of the synergy between programmatic, operational and financial components in project design and implementation.
- Analytical and conceptual skills, as well as the curiosity and learning agility needed to succeed in a growing organization with evolving operational and financial systems
- Knowledge of donor regulations including USAID and/or other foreign government development agencies, as well as other multilateral development agencies.
- Excellent capacity building, team building/management and coordination skills. Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities and mentor junior staff.
- Well-established and practical organizational and planning skills. • Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented. Ability to work under pressure, maintain balance when stressed and meet strict deadlines, both inside and outside the organization.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate multiple time zones as needed.
- Demonstrated respect for all people regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, ability to work in a diverse environment and demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.
- Personal commitment to Helen Keller’s mission and goals and the values embodied by Helen Keller Intl co-founder Helen Keller: compassion, courage, rigor and integrity.
LANGUAGES
- Good knowledge of English and French, both spoken and written
Composition of the application file:
- A cover letter addressed to the National Director A curriculum vitae.
- Reference people or structures to contact.
To Apply
Completed applications must be submitted to the following email address cm.recrutement@hki.org . no later than midnight on February 4, 2025.
Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all genders is fully valued.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic that does not affect their ability to perform the required duties.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email address above or by phone: (+237) 697 102 777
Female applicants are strongly encouraged.
