Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Porgram
Mercy Corps is embarking on the Preparedness, Resilience and Impact for those Most Excluded (PRIME) in the Caribbean Resilience Initiative (CRI). As part of the project, Mercy Corps is developing four Resilience Hubs (RHs), one each in Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia over the coming four years. RHs serve vulnerable and remote communities where basic health services are often limited. During a disaster, RHs function as shelters, resource distribution centers, and even command centers, empowering communities to sustain their well-being. Hub components will likely include solar energy, refrigeration, potable water, connectivity, and on-site food gardens to provide life-saving resources for people with chronic medical conditions, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
These existing community centers already serve as key gathering points, aid distribution sites, and places for community events. With our support, they will be able to do even more to support families in need, providing access to basic services and building resilience.
The Operations Department provides key support to the entire CRI project in procurement, operations, asset management, warehouse management, and security management for successful program implementation.
The Position
The Operations Manager is part of CRIโs senior management team, and assures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective program support. S/he is responsible for overseeing the procurement and security aspects of Mercy Corpsโ logistic operation. Working closely with Infrastructure Engineers, Program, Administration, Finance, and Technical Support units, the Operations Manager is instrumental in supporting program activities through their services.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Coordinate MC procurement activities according to the Field Procurement Policies and Procedures, SOPs and donor rules & regulations.
Ensure that the Operations department supports the programs efficiently and compliantly.
Interact with contractors, in coordination with the Project Director and Program Managers.
Ensure that the required documentation of supplies and transactions are completed to standards.
Prepare status reports on commitments on the procurement master list. Assist in the maintenance of thorough procurement files as outlined in the MC procurement policy.
Coordinate with the Warehouse on delivery of items including completion of Goods Received Notes, storage of items and transfer of items to sites.
Ensure ongoing full compliance of Mercy Corps finance policies and procedure and others (i.e. Program Management Manual, National Staff Handbook and etc.)
Ensure that Mercy Corpsโ procurement activities are legal and moral.
Enforce proper use of procurement ceilings and approval procedures.
Provide expert advice on Mercy Corps policies regarding resource management, tools, etc.
Development of local policies and procedures with the support of country management and implementation of them.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Other duties assigned by supervisor.
Accountability
Directly supervises the Operations/Procurement Officer.
Reports Directly To: Caribbean Resilience Initiative (CRI) Project Director.
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program, Finance, Infrastructure, Monitoring and Evaluation staff in US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Puerto Rico, and other US locations.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
Degree in a relevant business field or professional procurement qualification is required.
Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement management at large scale, construction experience a plus.
Knowledge of and experience with statutory reporting requirements in Caribbean jurisdictions strongly preferred.
Strong organizational skills; ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel.
Excellent oral and written English skills.
High level of computer skills on MS Office programs.
A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action so as to not delay program activities.
A clear understanding of procurement ethics and donor compliance is essential.
SECURITY
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Success Factors
The successful Operations Manager will be good at problem-solving and work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is remote and candidates must be based in either Jamaica, St. Lucia, or Saint Kitts & Nevis. All MC employees are expected to work a five day work week. This position requires 40% of travel by road, sea and air to field program locations.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corpsโ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.