Operations Director at Validity Foundation

Validity Foundation (formerly the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre – MDAC) is looking for an Operations Director to join the team in our Budapest office.

Working closely with the Co-Executive Directors and senior management, the Operations Director is responsible for ensuring Validity’s smooth and optimal functioning across all areas of operation. The Operations Director will oversee, review and evaluate Validity’s working practices and policies, developing proposals for improvement for the Co-Executive Directors.

Key responsibilities include business development, preparing budgets and supervising financial management (with support of the finance team), administrative and HR management, and handling business logistics, among others. The incumbent will also support the Co-Executive Directors in fundraising and improving governance processes, together with the Board of Trustees.

Role Description

• Responsible for all business support functions (finance, administration, facilities, human resources, governance and legal compliance matters)
• Management and control of frameworks and processes to support internal monitoring, evaluation, reporting and accountability frameworks
• Business development and marketing, including leading on the creation of a practical business development plan and marketing strategy promoting and monitising Validity’s substantive assets in support of the Co-Executive Directors’ vision on organisational sustainability
• Lead on administrative, logistical and technical arrangements to support the organisation of major in-person and online events, missions and publications (lay-out, design, translation etc.) globally, including organisation of Validity’s annual organisational retreat
• Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to ensure that core internal operational functions achieve their objectives
• Management of Validity’s finance team and assistance to the Co-Executive Directors to develop, monitor and control the annual organisational budget and project budgets, especially for large, EC co-funded projects
• Coordinate processes and procedures for the development and of Validity’s annual operational plan and management of schedule and budget against implementation
• Full management of Validity’s HR processes, including improving and managing recruitment; appraisal processes; induction of new staff members; contracting, benefits and employment law compliance; ensuring a safe and healthy working environment; employee performance management, well-being and professional development in coordination with relevant line managers
• Office management of the Budapest office and coordination of administration between Budapest and Nairobi offices
• Devising innovative techniques to promote integration, mutual support and effective communication between Budapest-based staff and colleagues working in Nairobi or remotely
• Under the direction of the Co-Executive Directors and the Boards of Trustees of Validity and MDAC-UK, coordinate improvements in Validity’s governance structures and progress registration of new legal entities in selected European and African jurisdictions
• Technical administration of Validity’s IT needs, including website, communications and video-conferencing software, and cloud-based document management system (Sharepoint), engaging relevant external expertise as necessary
• Improving and streamlining Validity’s internal reporting and accountability frameworks
• Support to the Co-Executive Directors to coordinate reporting to Validity’s Board of Trustees and donors, and creation of an administrative framework for reporting and regular fundraising activities
• Managing and regularly updating Validity’s registration at various Council of Europe, UN, and European Commission bodies, on donor reporting software, government portals in Hungary, and formal membership of networks etc.

Note: Preference will be given to people who self-identify as having a disability. Candidates must hold the right to reside and work within the European Union. This position will be based at Validity’s headquarters in Budapest.

Qualifications and experience

• Post-graduate degree in business administration, NGO management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• A minimum of ten years’ experience in NGO management at a middle or senior level, preferably in an NGO working across different European and/or African jurisdictions
• Significant experience in managing staff teams (e.g. administration and finance department of a mid-sized NGO or comparable organisation).
• Human resources qualification or relevant equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience of budget preparation and management. Experience in European Commission co-funded budget management an asset.
• Experience in working within a multicultural, international environment.

Knowledge and skills

• Highest commitment to the vision, mission and goals of Validity.
• Outstanding written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Hungarian an asset.
• Expertise in all aspects of human resource management.
• Excellent communication skills, teamwork ethic, ability to give clear and precise instructions and information to colleagues.
• Confident in senior level decision-making, with an ability to identify risks and issues, conduct applicable analysis, identify and weigh solutions, as well as the ability to implement new approaches and problem-solve in complex, time-sensitive matters.
• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities, and time management skills.
• Analytical and solution-focused, creative with exceptional multitasking skills.
• Ability to appropriately plan, prioritise and manage multiple competing demands in a timely manner in a dynamic, challenging environment
• Solid competence with IT, including basic understanding of website management and ability to quickly adapt to new software.
• Knowledge of financial management processes and/or NGO governance an advantage.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Downloadable job description and further information on open positions available on our website: Vacancy – Operations Director – Validity Foundation – Mental Disability Advocacy Centre – Validity Foundation – Mental Disability Advocacy Centre