Operations and Compliance Manager – null

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, and EU donors.

Position Summary:

Creative Associates International (Creative) seeks an Operations and Compliance Manager responsible for building and managing systems and processes for the successful compliance and operations for an anticipated U.S. State Department, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)-funded project in Syria: Supporting Local Governance and Essential Services in Syria. The Operations and Compliance Manager will direct all operational, administrative, and compliance functions of the project on behalf of Creative, providing operational and administrative support and expertise to the program. S/he serves as lead in the absence of the Team Leader, and liaises with the client, other implementing partners and any other key stakeholders at the direction of the Team Leader.

The Operations and Compliance Manager will be based in Berlin, Germany.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Operations Manager will report to the Team Leader and work closely with the Creative home office team.

Tasks

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage Operations Team and ensure coordination among the operations and program teams.
• Oversee all operations functions (Administration, IT, Procurement, Logistics, HR) and ensure operational aspects of the project are implemented according to Creative and US Government policies and procedures.
• Oversee all compliance and vetting-related responsibilities regarding subgrantees and key personnel as aligned with NEA rules and regulations in collaboration with the Team Lead.
• In coordination with direct reports, ensure all operational issues are resolved quickly, and as necessary elevate problems to the Team Lead and/or HQ team.
• Carry out policies and procedures in places required for all operational transactions across project in coordination with home office and Team Lead to ensure full compliance with Creative policies and US government-funded programs regulations.
• With the Finance Coordinator, support ensuring financial controls and cash management policies and procurement policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure timely payment and reporting of expenses.
• Provide mentorship and professional development to the members of the Operations Team.
• Contribute in reviewing the programmatic activity-sheets to ensure compliance.
• Oversee subrecipients and procurement alongside Program Team, liaising with HQ to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Participate in recurring and/or any ad hoc client meetings, including audit meetings etc.
• Share knowledge of Creative policies with the teams to foster an organizational culture where Creative’s values are practiced.
• Oversee the management of project office human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, and an organizational culture where Creative’s values are practiced.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree or higher in a relevant field, such as in business administration, political science, public policy, economics and/or international development.
• At least eight (8) years of experience in operational management.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing compliance, operational, administrative, and IT functions of international development work.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem-solving, and ethical management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and oversee multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of US government policies, procedures, and regulations, agreement compliance, financial planning and management, procurement, subaward management, and other management support areas.
• Ability to effectively manage multi-disciplinary teams of professionals.
• Speaking and writing fluency in English required.
• Speaking and writing fluency in Arabic desired.