VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Senior Operations Advisor
Organisational Context
The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) is an independent Swiss Foundation that supports local, community-level initiatives worldwide that address the local drivers of violent extremism and strengthen resilience against violent extremist agendas. It was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 2014 as a public-private partnership governed by a multi-stakeholder Board which includes representatives of countries which provide funds, countries to which funding is allocated, civil society, the private sector, research institutions and foundations.
GCERF is committed to responding to national needs. GCERF’s Core Funding Mechanism works only in countries which have requested GCERF’s support and have established a national, multi-stakeholder platform (Country Support Mechanism) to assess the unique national challenge of violent extremism. This needs assessment forms the basis for GCERF funding priorities.
Funding decisions are based on expert technical analysis and rigorous due diligence. Independent technical experts from around the world provide funding recommendations to the GCERF Governing Board. GCERF’s international multi-stakeholder Governing Board allocates pooled funds to address national countering violent extremism priorities and fill identified funding gaps.
GCERF responds to national needs and empowers local communities. GCERF provides funding to organisations (Principal Recipients) which themselves form and lead a consortium of national and community-based organisations strongly engaged with communities to implement a comprehensive set of initiatives that address the local drivers of violent extremism and strengthen resilience against violent extremist agendas. To enhance performance, GCERF supports and promotes the development of grantee capacity and learning, and applies a robust and pragmatic performance monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure mutual accountability, transparency and learning.
GCERF is currently working in Bangladesh, Mali and Nigeria, and is intending to extend its grant making to Kenya, Kosovo and Myanmar in 2016.
GCERF is currently exploring the establishment of additional funding mechanisms to compliment the CFM.
Purpose of Position:
The Operations Advisor coordinates the development and ensures continuous improvements to GCERF’s grant making and management through its CFM and other mechanisms currently under consideration.
Organisational Setting and Reporting Relationships:
The Operations Advisor reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Operations Advisor works in close collaboration with colleagues in the Operations Unit; as well as in cooperation with the Finance and Compliance Unit.
Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Process Design and Quality Management
· Contribute to the conceptualization and ongoing evolution of the funding mechanism, ensuring its adherence to GCERF grant making principles, and with respect to wider institutional considerations (e.g. available resources).
· Ensure compliance of funding policies and procedures with GCERF’s strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and corporate policies and standard operating procedures.
· Design and develop operational policies and standard operating procedures (including regulations, guidelines, and work instructions) for GCERF’s grant making and management, drawing on established good practices.
· Design and develop relevant tools and templates (such as assessments tools, application forms, and guidance notes) appropriate to target audiences, drawing on established good practices.
· Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the rigour, integrity and functionality of GCERF’s funding mechanisms for subsequent monitoring and evaluation.
· Develop and deliver introductory training using appropriate media (e.g. presentations or workshops) on new and revised operational policies, standard operating procedures, tools and templates for colleagues in the Operations Unit and Finance and Compliance Unit.
· Pilot and institutionalize new and revised operational policies, standard operating procedures, tools and templates, drawing on consultations with and feedback from key internal and external stakeholders.
· Elaborate and maintain operational process maps and flow charts to present and guide work flows and ensure operational integrity of GCERF’s funding mechanisms.
· In consultation with colleagues in the Operations Unit, coordinate the operational work-plans of GCERF’s funding mechanisms to ensure manageable workflows; identify any significant opportunities or concerns; and propose adjustments, as appropriate, to the COO.
· Provide ongoing guidance and support to colleagues in the Operations Unit and Finance and Compliance Unit on operational policies, standard operating procedures, tools and templates, and promptly respond to specific requests for clarifications.
· Monitor and assess the performance of GCERF funding mechanisms for the efficiency and effectiveness of operational policies, standard operating procedures, tools and templates against established KPIs. Prepare regular internal reports, identifying any significant issues or concerns, and recommending courses of action to the COO.
· In consultation with colleagues in the Operations Unit, monitor and assess the operating environment to ensure early warning of opportunities and risks to the performance of GCERF funding mechanisms. As appropriate, identify and propose mitigation strategies to the COO.
· Participate and actively contribute to internal review and learning processes to promote continuous improvements; when appropriate, convene and coordinate CFM-specific, organisation-wide task forces.
· Draft reports on the operational rigour, integrity and functionality of GCERF’s funding mechanisms, and contribute to relevant documents and presentations to support decision-making by senior management and the Board.
General
· Prepare and submit mandatory internal operational reports, such as travel reports, regular progress reports, and other papers.
· Contribute to work planning and operational expenses budget development of the Operations Unit.
· Contribute to the preparation of external updates, presentations, and reports to support external relations and resource mobilisation efforts.
· Upon request, represent the Operations Unit on organisation-wide task forces, study groups, etc.
· Serve as back-up to colleagues within the Operations Unit, fulfilling their duties and responsibilities as requested by the supervisor.
· Supervise more junior colleagues and interns, as and when requested by the supervisor.
· Undertake other duties, as and when requested by the supervisor.
Profile
Experience
At least twelve years of experience in process development and quality management, ideally in the context of grant making and/or management, in multilateral, bilateral, or development organisations, foundations, or other non-profit grant-making entities. A combination of both field and headquarters experience an asset.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
· Extensive experience in the development of systems and processes, and quality management in complex and changing environments.
· Extensive experience in the design, development, testing, and improving of policies and procedures for effective and efficient grant making and management, and robust due diligence practices. Related experience in the context of community level funding and/or Consortium funding models a strong asset.
· Experience of grant-making, due diligence processes and grant management in the context of preventing/countering violent extremism, conflict mitigation and prevention, peacebuilding, development or humanitarian action.
· Knowledge and understanding of the international funding environment, standards, trends and approaches.
· Extensive experience in programme design and development, project cycle management, and financial budgeting and reporting. Knowledge and understanding of a diverse array of strategic and operational planning tools an asset.
· Extensive knowledge and understanding of risk management, performance monitoring and evaluation technologies and established good practices.
Education
Postgraduate degree in international development, international relations/affairs, social sciences, public or business administration, management, or a related field.
Languages
Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French will be an advantage.
Competencies
· Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues in simple terms.
· Excellent analytical skill and capacity to manage complexity.
· Strong process orientation, attention to detail, and problem-solving capacity.
· Strong presentation and group facilitation skills, and understanding of adult learning.
· Ability to develop and maintain strong relations with colleagues and external stakeholders.
· Confidence and skill in using information technology (IT) tools.
· Capacity to plan and organise one’s work effectively and collaboratively.
· Focus and commitment to achieving quality results.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
· Sensitivity in framing and presenting potential opportunities and challenges, and good judgement in reporting ideas and issues.
· Demonstrated openness to change, flexibility and ability to stay effective and motivated in a fast-changing environment.
· Commitment to continuous learning and a desire to keep abreast of new developments in relevant fields of thematic or functional expertise, and contribute to the learning of colleagues.
General
Grade: 4/5 (Subject to profile of selected candidate.)
Contract Type: Open-ended. (All recruitments are subject to availability of funds.)
GCERF is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.
The position is based in Geneva. GCERF offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Application Deadline: 7 December 2015.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please visit and follow the instructions in the “Careers” section of the GCERF website:http://www.gcerf.org/about-us/career-opportunities/.
