Systems Director – Niger At GOAL

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a team of 3,000 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 14 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

GOAL has an annual budget of an estimated €120 million and is supported by a range of donors including the Governments of Ireland, UK, USA, the European Union, individuals, trusts and foundations. GOAL values the power of partnership and works with local and international partners to achieve its mission.

Job Purpose

The Systems Director (SD) provides strong leadership as a member of senior management, promotes good stewardship and provides direction to the Systems function, as well as enhancing cross functional communication thus ensuring that systems support effective programming. The SD will work closely with the Country Director and Programme Director (PD) in strategic planning to ensure that the support structure adequately supports the programme.

The Systems department comprises Logistics, Facilities management, HR, Administration, IT and Security

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support and leadership for GOAL Niger internal support systems.
Enhancing cross functional communication thus ensuring that systems support effective programme development and implementation.
Manage Logistics, HR, Administration (incl. facilities and security) and IT to facilitate support for current and future programmes in line with GOAL policies and good practice.
Actively participate in the Senior Management team, contributing to the ongoing development of the country programme here-under the country strategic plan in particular as the program evolves into the recovery phase.
Along with other Senior Management, actively manage the Country’s risk profile by ensuring that policies and procedures are in place, participating in the management of the country Risk Register and addressing internal audit and compliance issues.
Assist the CD in the management of the Security Plan and monitor staff’s understanding and implementation of the plan at every level.
Direct line management of the IT Manager, Logistics Coordinator and HR Coordinator. Guide and coach coordinators/managers to ensure that HR, Finance, Logistics, Administration and IT policies are appropriate for the organization and applicable to the changing strategic direction and programmes in GOAL Niger.
Support the SMT with the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues such as Gender, Child Protection and Environment, and actively promote a supportive working environment for staff.
Set a strong example for adherence and improvement of GOAL SLs accountability, safe guarding and protection initiatives, both internally and for the people reached by the programme.
Carry out regular management visits and provide field visit reports to the SMT for all field locations.
Represent GOAL and the country programme where relevant to external stakeholders.
Deputise for the Country Director when required and undertake any additional duties as mutually agreed with the Country Director.

Logistics

Direct management of the Logistics Coordinator.
Supervision of all logistical operations at the various field and support sites: including procurement, supply chain, asset management, fixed asset register and fleet management.
Improving cost-effectiveness by saving time or money through use of: framework contracts, improved coordination of programme activities, purchasing and transport.
Ensure strong and timely coordination between the Logistic teams in Freetown and in the field sites.
Ensure compliance of logistical operation with GOAL Logistical Manual and with Donor requirements.
Ensure internal logistics reports are submitted by the field to Freetown on time and that they are reviewed and analysed and appropriate action taken.
Ensuring logistics reports are submitted to Dublin on time.
Ensure that the Logistics Coordinator manages timely negotiation of property contracts and ensure that property is well maintained and secure.
Ensure that the GOAL transport fleet serves the needs of the programme.
Liaise with HO in Dublin on systems, logs issues, etc. as appropriate.

Security

Support the Country Director and the Area Coordinators in the management of Security.
Direct line management of the National Security Coordinator.
Implement GOAL’s Security Guidelines and Procedures and ensure that staff are familiar with these guidelines and procedures.
With the SMT, periodically review the specific security guidelines.
Ensure all office and accommodation meet basic security standards, including fire prevention, lockdown and evacuation procedures.
Ensure that security briefings to all staff/visitors arriving into the site for the first time are appropriate and carried out.
Monitor the security situation and provide regular information to the CD of any incidents, changes or adverse conditions affecting staff safety or project operations in the region.

Human Resource Management and Administration

Provide guidance and direction to the National Human Resources Coordinator.
Provide leadership for Human Resources management and promote an organization environment which is fair, open, protective and which fosters a learning culture.
Ensure that HR planning, including succession planning, is developed in coordination with annual programme planning.
Support management to implement an effective annual performance review and development process.
Ensure periodic reviews of salary scales and the National HR Manual, compliant with local regulations.
Liaise with HO in Dublin on systems, HR issues etc as appropriate.
Support Project Managers to implement training and development plans for all GOAL Niger staff. Devise ways of identifying training needs and ensuring the applicability of same on the job. Advise Project Managers accordingly, provide support to the HR Manager in identifying training and development programmes to be prioritised.
Support the HR Coordinator in reviewing staff legal cases; review reports produced by HR on cases followed up by the Legal Representative.
Ensure efficient and effective administration systems in line with GOAL policy.
Ensure that visitors and new staff are provided with welcome packs, schedules and in-country briefings including ensuring the quality of systems induction to new staff members.

Ensure that the IT planning reflects programme priorities, and the development of an IT strategy to ensure that IT is sufficient for future programme requirements (e.g. DDR, automated Supply chain, share point etc.).
Provide support and oversight for IT related issues including stable finance and network server and adherence to IT guidelines.
Liaise with Dublin IT support in relation to IT maintenance and IT equipment management and formatting.
Ensure that regular back-ups and virus checks are carried out.

Financial

Coordinate with the Country Finance Team to ensure that field core cost budget management tools are provided to the Area Coordinators for review and management.
Prepare and manage the overall core cost budgets for GOAL Niger.
Manage the equipment budget for all GOAL Niger.
Ensure organisational compliance to donor policies and guidelines.
Ensure GOAL Niger adheres to the regulatory requirements of the government of Niger with regard to visas, work permits and registration in liaison with the Country Director.
Support the FC with the preparation of budgets for donor proposals, the preparation and finalisation of annual budget and quarterly rolling budgets and the preparation of the year-end financial statements.
In conjunction with the FC, monitoring and controlling of expenditure on the core costs budgets to ensure that it stays within available funding and agreed budgets using budget monitoring tools and highlight, as appropriate, under/overspends and agree actions required.

Internal Audit / Donor Compliance/Investigation

Stay informed of and ensure adherence to the standard of GOAL procedures and policies in relation to Logistics, Finance, HR and Programmes as set out in the relevant manuals, policies and guidelines.
Work closely with the Quality Assurance Coordinator to ensure adequate training, capacity building and support is provided to GOAL staff to enhance their knowledge and understanding of GOAL and Donor policies and procedures and ensure proper implementation and on-going use.
With the Quality Assurance Coordinator, support implementation of GOAL’s systems of internal controls in the systems functions, and work with the SMT to identify improvements where necessary across all departments, including programmes, finance, logistics, HR and IT.
With the CD and QAC, ensure that risk management processes are effectively embedded throughout the organisation.
Provide support to any internal audit, compliance and financial investigation assignments as requested by the CD, QAC, Roving Internal Auditors or HQ Investigations team, ensuring GOAL policies are followed.

Grant Management

Attendance and input at all Grant Management Meetings (GMM), with the Logs Coord, Procurement Manager, HR.
Ensure that Logistics proposal Check lists are completed by programmes and Logistics and submitted with all new grants.
Ensure that Procurement Plans are submitted by programmes at GMMs, and at proposal stage, and they are reviewed by Logistics.

Requirements (Person Specification)

Minimum 5 years previous experience in HR, administration and logistics related management, with at least 2 years at a senior management level.
3 + years of previous overseas management experience
Education to Masters level in a related subject.
Good understanding of donor rules and regulations and implementation of strong compliance and control framework.
Strong experience liaising with governmental / local authorities and other NGO’s.
Audit experience and excellent attention to detail essential.
Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable activities, and oversee staff work.
Proven strong budgetary control and financial management skills
Proven track record in systems implementation and development
An interest in capacity building/mentoring of teams
Excellent staff management and personnel skills
Excellent analytical, writing skills and training skills
Prior experience in complex protracted humanitarian context as well as emergency response contexts.