Program Operations Manager (m/f)

Description

• TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives
• TechnoServe has been providing technical assistance to Mozambique’s industries, agribusinesses, and entrepreneurs with high growth potential for over 20 years, since our office first opened in 1998. We have helped create a competitive and sustainable commercial agricultural sector, which has generated opportunities for small-scale rural producers and suppliers, in addition to new employment opportunities for the rural poor. TechnoServe in Mozambique is known for creating lasting impact in the value chains of cashew and poultry, though we've also worked in agro-forestry, seed systems, horticulture and access to finance. We work with corporate partners to promote investments in key industries and build local supply chains for sourcing, as well as public sector partners to build capacity to regulate and promote growing industries. Our goal in the next 10 years is to scale our impact through leveraging and sharing knowledge and build new partnerships in order to catalyze further change

Duties

• The Catalisa Program Operations Manager is responsible for the implementation of 4 key areas of the Catalisa program: 1) Business advisory to small holder farmers and agribusiness partners, 2) Management of subgrantees and partnerships, 3) Procurement of program goods and services, and 4) Management of program budget and cash flow. The Program Operations Manager would manage a team of 3-4 direct reports and report directly to the Program Director. Specific responsibilities are listed below:

Business Advisory to Beneficiaries

• Provide business mentoring support to small and medium agribusinesses, including assisting agribusinesses in implementing their growth plans and financial models (customized financial planning, developing market access strategies, and reviewing business operations, amongst others)
• Ensure development, maintenance and delivery of strong and appropriate technical assistance packages for small holder farmers and each agribusiness partner, based on detailed analysis of businesses and their ideas
• Support agribusinesses and small holder farmers on business management topics (customized to each beneficiary) including accounting, financial management and planning, marketing, operations and HR
• Facilitate the access to new customers and markets for agribusinesses and farmers, and work closely with program partners to assess opportunities of establishing supply chain linkages
• Build and maintain good trustful working relationships with clients and all stakeholders
• Maintain and build toolkits, best practices information and resources for Program staff. Reach out to external experts for obtaining advice on technical issues
• Keep up-to-date on industry developments, locally and globally, in terms of markets, competition, technology, etc.
• Deliver both your own activities and ensure delivery through staff as assigned

Subgrant and Partner Management

• Lead contract design and modification process (drafting, reviews, signatures, HQ approvals) for all project subcontracts and grants including:
• Subcontracting of training for youth
• Agribusiness Partnerships
• Micro-subsidies
• Suppliers and service providers
• Consultancies, volunteers and employment contracts
• Lead risk assessments and due diligence on grantees and liaise with Total legal department as needed
• For the major youth training subcontractor, oversee contractor’s submission and TNS approval of contract deliverables, in coordination with Program Director
• Responsible for ensuring the terms of each Catalisa agribusiness partnership and micro-grant align with agribusiness team’s proposed intervention strategy and the realities on the ground, mitigating TNS risk and facilitating implementation
• Lead administrative relationship with partner/grantees to ensure their full comprehension of the subaward terms and compliance with procurement procedures (as applicable)
• Receive contractual deliverables including technical reports from subawardees and contractors, review and approve as appropriate or direct to appropriate reviewer
• Receive financial reports from subawardees and oversee the financial review process (conducted by the Catalisa Admin and FinanceManager) and submit for approval and processing
• Draft (or review those drafted by outside parties) and submit for HQ review- MOUs and other partnership agreements with other organizations or government

Procurement

• Maintain a comprehensive and continuous purchasing plan
• Lead the preparation of the procurement plan for beneficiaries and ensure its fulfillment by preparing periodic or whenever requested expense reports
• Supervising purchases with distributions to beneficiaries with adequate documentation
• Develop and disseminate the RFQ when necessary, supervise the process of collecting 3 quotations for analysis of best quotation when necessary, in general be responsible for ensuring the efficient and compatible acquisition of assets, consumables and services of the project or beneficiary
• Support the Program Director in managing, in general, and high-level relationships with subcontractors, beneficiaries and other partners
• Supervising the work of the Compliance and Administration Coordinator, developing their capacity to perceive the main points in procurement and contract management, transferring responsibilities and delegating support tasks when appropriate
• Maintain constant contact with TNS Global, Regional and Maputo to ensure compliance
• Manage supplier or beneficiary risk assessments with the support of the Compliance and Administration Coordinator, whenever necessary

Program Budget and Cashflow Management

• Develop and use forecasts, and financial analysis to inform planning and operational decision making
• Ensure good cash flow planning and management
• Prepare monthly and quarterly spend reports for review by the Program Director
• Support annual and midyear budget processes, in coordination with the Program Director and Operations Manager
• Supervise adequate internal controls, financial procedures and accurate accounting in a timely manner, program facilities, travel and procurement expenses, and in coordination with the program director
• Work with the Financial Manager to ensure timely development and submission of quarterly invoices and financial reports for the donor
• Assume other responsibilities relevant to the position, which are assigned by the Program Director

Requisites

• A Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, agricultural economics, public policy or other relevant discipline plus 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field, including business consulting, development of agricultural value chains, agribusiness, and/or entrepreneurship; OR
• A Master’s degree plus a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a relevant field, including business consulting, international development, business operations (procurement, logistics, subgrant management), and/or entrepreneurship
• Substantial relevant professional experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mozambique preferred
• Strong management skills
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
• Results-oriented work ethic
• Excellent Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English and Portuguese, including reports and presentations

Notes

• Qualified and interested applicants should submit a single Word-formatted document consisting of cover letter, resume and salary history
• Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be considered or contacted
• TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities