Job Title: Operations Manager

Company Overview:

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. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Project Overview and Role:

CATALYZE is a $250 million 5 to 8-year program, designed to catalyze $2 billion in private capital, especially to underfinanced social sectors (such as education) and higher risk countries (especially low-income and post-conflict countries) around the globe, complemented by a cross-cutting inclusion of gender-lens investing. CATALYZE will provide services to USAID missions and bureaus that “buy in” to tap the CATALYZE investment and pay-for-results project management expertise. Our aim is for investors to explore and find commercially viable opportunities and approaches to creating jobs, developing sustainable social services, tightening and rationalizing supply chains, and advancing inclusive growth. 

CATALYZE: Market Systems for Growth (MS4G) will drive private enterprise expansion to catalyze Ethiopia’s future economic growth and prosperity. MS4G intends to foster enterprise-driven growth, especially among private enterprises that have high growth potential and the capacity to catalyze job creation throughout market systems. MS4G will address systemic challenges, including building business development services capacity, creating a more conducive business environment, building the financial sector infrastructure and capability within private finance providers, and expanding the digital economy. MS4G will catalyze private sector growth by improving access to finance and facilitating transactions through targeted interventions across market systems (demand, supply, and enabling environment).  Expanded access to finance will also drive change across the market system by increasing business revenue and necessitating job creation.  The program has an estimated life of project funding of $55-$70 million, and is expected to operate for five years. 

While focus sectors will be finalized in collaboration with USAID during the inception phase, it is anticipated that they could include agribusiness, light manufacturing, and telecommunications & ICT (including fintech). Across all initiatives, there will be a cross-cutting focus on women and youth, as well as a focus on ensuring that disparate ethnic groups and regions equitably benefit from the interventions.  

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Operations Manager, CATALYZE: MS4G will report to the Deputy Chief of Party, Operations & Compliance. S/he will be responsible for overseeing all logistical and operational aspects of the project, including vehicle fleet management, office maintenance, meeting and conference logistics, human resources, and security. 

• Provides administrative coordination and support to ensure an effective and efficient operating platform for the project; 
  Ensures compliance of management systems with Palladium’s policies and procedures, USAID rules and regulations, contract requirements, and Government of Ethiopia laws and regulations; 

• Works closely with hiring managers to enable recruitment efforts for vacancies, including drafting job descriptions, advertising, screening candidates, scheduling panel interviews, and selecting finalists; 
  Establishes and ensures adherence to staff onboarding protocol; 
• Keeps apprised of changes in local labor law and informs the Director of Finance & Administration, CATALYZE (US) of relevant changes; 
• Manages fleet logistics, ensuring vehicles are maintained and prepared to support project activities; and 
  Serves as primary liaison with building management and on site security 

Required Qualifications:

• Track record in successfully recruiting qualified candidates; 
• Strong financial and operational management experience with proven management skills; 
• Knowledge of and compliance to Federal Acquisition Regulations and USAID Acquisition Regulations; 
• Professional level of oral and written fluency in English language; 
• Experience supervising teams; 
• Experience building capacity of local organizations and implementing partners in financial management; 
• Relevant computer software skills and familiarity with accounting software (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office); Costpoint preferred. 

Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in relevant field; 
•  At least 8 years of experience in administrative and financial management of large complex projects of which at least eight years were in the field of international development including experience in management of USAID funded contracts of similar scale ($60M / 5 years)