Job Description

Project Operations Manager Job At International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW)

IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together with presence in 40 countries around the world (see www.ifaw.org). IFAW works to address the needs of animals and people across a multitude of critical habitats through protecting wildlife from poachers, landscape conservation and rehabilitation of rescued animals.

Role and Responsibilities

• Manages a financial and administrative support team for regional projects, significant emphasis on managing donor restricted grants and contracts, such as grant administration, financial and progress reporting and database management
• Oversees and may provide direct support for the day to day operations of staff
• Ensures accurate projects budgets are maintained by coordinating with project and support teams to process financial updates and reforecast on an ongoing basis to inform monthly reporting and accurate end-of-year projections, may include budget transfers and expenses reallocations
• Provides technical and financial review of sub award and grantee reporting
• Works closely with Project leads and support staff to prepare donor reports, including lead on report generating and review to ensure sufficient, accurate and timely submission
• Coordinates EA Programs’ contribution for quarterly and annual reporting needs, including synthesizing technical progression, restricted award performance, budget variances, impact, and providing top-level illustrative narratives for internal reporting
• Responsible for ensuring annual and multiyear work plans and budgeting for regional projects are compiled for accurate and timely submission
• Actively engages on regional proposal development efforts as key member of proposal team, including producing cost application budgeting for restricted institutional and government grants
• Consults with Programs and Development departments to appropriately recognize incoming restricted funding received by ifaw for regional use and facilities the reflection and use of funds
• Supports the Head of Programs and project leads with partner coordination including sub-contractors, and sub-awardees
• Provides the necessary support, mentorship and training to build staff and regional capacity, effectiveness and efficiency particularly within the project lifecycle
• Actively promotes effective communication, coordination and information sharing within and between project teams, Finance, Development, HR, Compliance, Impact & Evaluation, and Communications to strengthen operational communications between departments and field operations
• Develops a deep understanding of relevant institutional policies and procedures
• Proactively identifies problems and formulates recommendations for corrective action

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration or a relevant field preferred and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including experience in public or business administration, international development, project or financial management with multiple funders and/or stakeholders.
• Familiarity with managing contracts or grants for government-funded projects as well as bilateral or multilateral donors is desirable (USAID, EU, UKAID, USFWS, US-INL).
• Strong understanding of administrative, financial management and operational processes required.
• Pragmatic, self-motivated, composed under pressure, with professional acumen, good judgment, and a highly developed sense of responsibility.
• Experience serving in a people management role and willingness to provide the necessary support, mentorship and training to direct reports as well support broader internal capacity building efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, and spreadsheet software packages; Microsoft Office, Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft Excel in particular.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands, deadlines and processes with an exceptional customer service ethic and orientation, anticipate and proactively respond to work requests.
• Demonstrate proactive critical thinking and practical problem-solving abilities, including ability to work independently.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, including with senior level management, both internal and external, and ability to operate in a culturally diverse international organization.
• English language skills required. Other languages (e.g. Maa an asset).
• Solid understanding of wildlife conservation and animal rescue issues preferred.
• Flexibility required; able to work flexible work hours, as needed, to accommodate staff working outside of Nairobi, Kenya.
• Ability and willingness to travel to IFAW field operational areas is a must.

Experience

Required

• Solid understanding of wildlife conservation and animal rescue issues
• 5 years: Relevant experience, including experience in public or business administration, international development, project or financial management with multiple funders and/or stakeholders.

Preferred

Familiarity with managing contracts or grants for government-funded projects as well as bilateral or multilateral donors is desirable (USAID, EU, UKAID, USFWS, US-INL).