Field Operations Manager/Officer

Objective

The Field Operations Manager/Officer is responsible for supporting implementation of project activities by providing structural and management support to program staff. The incumbent will manage and conduct procurements throughout the procurement lifecycle and will support and advise on best practices for contracting and contract management.

This is a junior- to intermediate-level position commensurate with experience. It is not entry-level. The incumbent will be responsible for the mainstay of operational duties and will support internal clients within the project as required and directed.

Responsibilities

1. General

• Ensure activities are conducted in compliance with Lebanese law, client and corporate policies and regulations.
• Monitor and manage business travel for staff including review and processing of relevant travel authorizations, advance requests, expense reports, and logistical arrangements. Ensure travelers follow applicable travel policies. Review expense reports for approval.
• Maintain excellent and complete records, ensuring all files are retained and organized digitally and that required hard copy originals are retained and filed for audit.
• As directed and delegated, liaise with the home office’s Operations teams to manage and troubleshoot project managerial issues as they arise.

1. Procurement

• Manage the design and development of procurements throughout the procurement cycle, including development of scopes of work, requests for quotation/proposal, competition and evaluation, selection and negotiation, and contracting.
• Support the review, retention and processing of vendor proposals.
• Conduct procurements in compliance with government, client and corporate procurement policies and procedures, ensuring fair and open competition and proper documentation.
• Manage and support vetting and due diligence procedures for prospective vendors in accordance with Palladium guidelines and client requirements, ensuring rigorous and thorough review and documentation.

1. Contracts Management

• Provide advice and guidance to the project team on available and most appropriate contracting vehicles, ensuring that mechanisms are suited to objectives and that expectations and requirements are clear internally and with the vendor.
• Draft contracts (including staff employment agreements) in consultation with applicable staff for review, approval and execution.
• Manage vendor agreements as required, tracking contract progress throughout the implementation period, escalating concerns or problems to the relevant authority as required.
• Conduct periodic review and recommend amendments or improvements to existing templates and/or vendor agreements as may be required.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of vendor deliverables and payment requests, ensuring that submissions are made in accordance with contract terms and conditions and have met with the approval of the relevant activity manager.

1. Grants

• Provide ad hoc support to the grants team as may be required and directed.

1. Other duties as assigned.

Reporting

The Field Operations Manager will report to the Director, Finance & Administration

Minimum Qualifications (Officer)

• Degree in Business, Management, Law, Economics or similar with 4 years of relevant experience.
• Prior project, procurement, HR and/or contracts management experience.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Experience with USAID, other U.S. Government-funded or comparable clients.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government and Lebanese compliance requirements preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in communicating with clients, vendors, partners and project stakeholders.
• Strong professionalism, personal integrity, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain excellent project records.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills in English required.
• Fluency in Arabic required.

Minimum Qualifications (Manager)

• Master’s degree in a related field and/or exceptional experience or credentials in project, contracts, HR, procurement or similar.
• Significant experience with USG regulations and/or USAID-funded projects.
• Knowledge of grant processes, mechanisms and implementation.

This is a local non-expat position; Lebanese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.