Field Office Manager – With Mechanical Knowledge

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Programme Offices in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Tanzania, Niger, Burundi, Ethiopian, South Sudan and Uganda. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational technical support, including but not limited to: supply chain, logistics and infrastructure in partnership with relief and development organisations that focus on disaster-affected, poverty-infested and development oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organisations and governments.

AIRD seeks to recruit Field Office Manager with mechanical knowledge

Position Purpose

To manage in timely, pertinent, effective and efficient response to the humanitarian needs of the field office and the population within the framework of AIRD SOPs while ensuring security of the team.

Key Responsibilities

• General Duties
• Build and maintain a strong, innovative leadership team and ensure AIRD Policies and Code of Conduct are followed in the field office.
• Lead the design, implementation, and evolution of the Country Program Office strategic plan in the field region.
• Direct the mobilization, management, and accounting of all resources in the field region
• Promote AIRD’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and key Partnership Standards and Practices among the staff and partners and ensure these are the core foundation of AIRD strategies and work.
• Ensure people issues are front and centre, promoting an office that embraces diversity, gender balance and engagement with all Partnership staff.
• Implement AIRDs SOPs and partnership agreements signed with Donors.
• Actively participate in seeking funds from other donors, participate in the drafting of projects and evaluations;
• • Ensure the representation and active participation of AIRD in humanitarian meetings (Clusters and sectoral working groups);

1. Specific duties

Workshop and Fleet,

• Direct, mediate, support and lead all matters relating to the garage and workshops
• Stream-line responsibilities of staff in the garage according to their activity levels
• Manage the workshop staff performance in accordance with the expected results and available means
• Implement and monitor workshop repair and maintenance activities
• Verify that log books are kept in each vehicle, with all service periods reflected, and ensure that log books are updated at every journey made, for accuracy and legibility.
• Develop the garage and spare parts management procedures to be implemented at all levels
• Manage all garage operating costs and ensure accurate records are kept in accordance with project guidelines.
• Monitor vehicle movements to produce effective and timely delivery of services to the client and beneficiaries

Warehouse and Fuel management,

• Monitor the warehouse items and ensure their proper distribution
• Monitor the fuel distribution and ensure it is properly accounted for
• Report to management any issues that partners may communicate with regard to the operation of AIRD in the country for timely action

People Management

1. Ensure the management human resources in conformity with applicable laws and internal regulations.
2. Security management.
3. Oversee the recruitment, orientation, and management of performance of country based staff in the field region demonstrating healthy engagement

Key Result Areas

• Planning and implementation of country strategy
• Timeliness, regularity and accuracy in reporting
• Sourcing and management of organizational resources
• Team development
• Employee/Talent development
• Implementation of all AIRD management procedures
• Diversification of donors and donors of funds

Required Languages

Must be conversant in French and intermediate in English (written and spoken)

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a post graduate degree in a relevant field
• 5-7 years experience in management experience in international development
• Good working knowledge of warehouses and fuel systems
• Proficiency with computers including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point required and Enterprise’s Resource Planning (ERP)
• Willingness to travel as necessary, work the required schedule, work at different locations as required
• Strong analytical, communication and problem solving skills is necessary along with capacity to identify and articulate potential problems and provide possible solutions in concise and clear manner
• Mastery of mechanics, use of diagnostic machines and repair of new generation vehicles;
• Good knowledge of renewable and photovoltaic energy
• Experience in fundraising and writing project concept notes
• Experience in working with international development partners, international nongovernmental organization (INGOs) and donors (in particular UNHCR experience) is an asset

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of program /project development and management
• Knowledge of donor groups and/or issues related to the program area