Vacancy For Project Manager, Operations at Palladium International

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Project Manager, Operations - Nigeria Location: Abuja or Kano Project Overview and Role    The Project Operations Manager serves as part of the corporate management team to manage implementation of effective and efficient operational, financial and compliance activities. The position periodically contributes to the development of policies, processes and procedures that align with best practice in project management. DFID appointed Palladium and its consortium members to manage implementation of the Nigerian Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme (MNCH2); which runs for 5 years from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2019. The objective of the programme is to achieve effective and efficient delivery of essential health care for pregnant women, new-borns and children, alongside routine immunisation. The programme will strengthen health system coordination through improved health sector planning and financing, and will increase demand for and access to high quality health services. The programme is working with government to build capacity within the public health system to enable sustainability beyond the immediate lifetime of the programme.  Sustainable solutions should be sought for every output and outcome of this programme intervention. This MNCH2 programme is delivering across the 6 DFID Northern Nigeria focus States (Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara and Yobe); where the greatest population gains can be made and the largest burden of maternal, new-born and child mortality and unmet need for health care are located. Northern Nigeria is a fragile context, and some States, particularly Yobe and urban Kano, are affected by levels of violence which impede access to health services. The recipient of MNCH2 services is the people and Government of Nigeria, representing namely: the Federal and State Ministries of Health, and Local Governments. Responsibilities The primary responsibilities of the Project Operations Manager are; Operations:

• Plan and manage the operational aspects of project start-up and closeout to ensure delivery of required inputs to these processes from corporate services, service providers and stakeholders;
• Participate in the development and maintenance of project work plans
• Support the development and presentation of internal and external reporting and ensure these outputs are fit for purpose
• Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, reported on, managed and mitigated; escalate risks and issues to corporate/project leadership, as required
• Serve as the primary liaison between corporate services and the project
• Prepare and maintain project specific components of the project operations manual
• In collaboration with corporate services, provide training and guidance to project staff on and ensure compliance with company policies, SOPs and Guidelines and client rules and regulations

• Monitor and maintain compliance with head/prime contracts
• Monitor and report on overall progress against agreed targets, milestones, outputs and activities
• Develop, manage and support contract amendments as required
• Liaise with and respond to requests from clients
• Support project advocacy with internal and external stakeholders

• Ensure company policies, SOPs and Guidelines for financial management are implemented and are compliant with the client’s rules and regulations;
• In collaboration with Finance establish project account codes, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet client’s and project’s requirements for cost allocation, monitoring and evaluation, and value for money (VFM) reporting;
• Monitor expenditure against budgets and forecasts, including staff costs, operating expenses and procurements;
• Manage project financial / cash-flow planning, review and approve (or obtain approval for) funding requests from the field;
• Ensure the accuracy of client invoices (including monthly, milestone and performance based invoices) and where required prepare same; Monitor, reconcile and report expense advances monthly
• Manage and approve/obtain approval for contract action requests (for example travel, personnel additions/changes, partner, grant, budget realignment, etc.)
• Manage the external audit process and ensure retention of project records is compliant with company policy

• Support project human resource planning and recruitment and contracting and coordinate inputs and support from the company HR and Recruitment teams
• In collaboration with Security, ensure safety and security procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, are in place and adhered to
• In collaboration with HR, ensure staff performance management systems are in place and adhered to
• Maintain project data on relevant HR systems for short-term and long-term staff and consultants
• Lead the mobilisation and demobilisation of all international staff (short-term and long-term) including contracting, travel management, payments and induction

• Serve as a point of contact with service providers and address contractual matters as required
• Support development of project subcontractor / grant management procedures compliant with the company’s SOPs and Guidelines and client’s rules and regulations
• Monitor and ensure quality of field procurement; ensuring compliance with company anti-corruptions and due diligence processes
• Report monthly on the status of partner budgets/invoicing and grants
• Ensure asset management procedures are undertaken and conduct spot checks.

• Participate in capture planning, providing inputs on operational requirements, including but not limited to the requirements for company registration and banking arrangements
• Provide input and support business development of the company as required

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience.
• Work experience in a developing country or similar environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports.
• Sound problem solving and decision making skills.
• Formal Project Management training and expertise preferred.
• Project management experience and strong track record with large, complex programmes with DFID, DFAT, USAID or other donor clients.
• People management experience, including setting performance objectives, managing for results, giving and receiving feedback, performance evaluation and mentoring and coaching.