Introduction
Chemonics International seeks a Technical Operations Manager, a billable position within the Washington DC-based Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) team. The FEWS NET Technical Operations Manager works within the DC-based home office Technical Operations Team, leading on the projects’ recruitments and providing operational and logistical support to the FEWS NET Pillar 1 Senior Management Team, the Washington DC-based FEWS NET Technical Team, and more than 20 FEWS NET field-based project offices. The Technical Operations Manager will directly supervise the Technical Operations Associate, and reports to the Technical Operations Director. This position may require occasional overseas travel. This position is preferred to be based in Washington, D.C., though US-based remote options may be considered for well qualified candidates. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is an integrated set of activities funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is intended to provide timely, accurate, evidence-based, and transparent food security early warning information and analysis. Created in 1985 in response to famines in East and West Africa, FEWS NET provides global coverage through a mix of presence and remote monitoring. Chemonics houses FEWS NET’s Early Warning Team (EWT), a team charged with integrated emergency food insecurity analysis through a Washington-based technical office and more than 20 field offices.
Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the Technical Operations Manager include, but are not limited to:
Recruitment Responsibilities
- Leading recruitment of long- and short-term project personnel in accordance with project requirements and Chemonics policies
- Managing all activities in recruitment lifecycle for the US office and project office positions, including working with technical managers to initiate recruitments, screen candidates, organize interview panels, and lead salary offer preparations and negotiations
- Helping devise, propose and implement process adjustment to increase recruitment efficiencies
- Supporting effective problem-solving to resolve unique corporate policy and process challenges for FEWS NET’s U.S-based Technical Team
- Serving as point of contact with Chemonics Home Office Talent Representative to coordinate job posting, recruitment, and onboarding processes and resolve challenges when needed
- Supporting recruitment administration including coordinating across project, PMU, and Home Office HR teams
Operations Responsibilities
- Managing EWT Technical Team’s day-to-day operations tasks including personnel management, procurement, travel support, meeting and workshop support, contractual deliverable preparation, MOU management, client communications, and other tasks
- Proactively identifying areas for improvement, including in recruitment processes, office management and operational support, and other areas. Developing strategies and solutions to address those opportunities in collaboration with the technical operations director and/or Senior Management Team;
- Collaborating with FEWS NET PMUs and Chemonics U.S. support units to efficiently resolve challenges and address project needs
- Identifying opportunities for knowledge- and solution-sharing across project offices and taking initiative to build project staff capacity
- Supervising the activities of the Operations Associate(s) and other long- and short-term operational support staff as assigned
- Organizing and managing operational implementation of the Early Warning Team’s internal and partner meetings, conferences, and workshops
- Drafting agendas, taking notes, and coordinating planning of regular USAID management meetings, EWT Technical Team meetings, and others as requested
- Contributing to a productive and motivating work environment
- Helping devise and implement team-building and staff morale events for the U.S.-based Technical Team and overseeing Chief of Party fund usage and management across all FEWS NET project offices
- Performing other operational duties as required
Requirements:
- At least four years of relevant experience with Master’s degree OR six years of relevant experience with Bachelor’s degree is required.
- Capacity to proactively and assertively address issues and changing circumstances adeptly, both independently and with the support of other team members.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, conscientious and well-organized
- Previous experience managing or otherwise providing oversight of a team or initiative is desired.
- Excellent communication skills with demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals/groups across multiple geographies.
- Professional demeanor and capacity to work with a range of technical and administrative professionals.
- Demonstrated organizational skills to meet multiple, overlapping deadlines.
- Fluency in English required; French and/or Spanish language skills desirable.