Operations Director
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Exec. / Management, Operations Management
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Position Type: Long-term
Duration/Level of Effort: 2025 - 2026, with possibility of multi-year extension
OBJECTIVE
Cowater International is pre-positioning for an upcoming opportunity, the Cambodia Climate Resilience Program (CCRP) funded by DFAT Australia which comprises an investment of AUD 75 million over 9 years, with an initial phase of 4 years consisting of up to AUD 30 million, with an option for a further 5-year extension.
It is anticipated that the RFT for the Program will be issued May/Jun via Austender, with mobilisation in the second quarter 2025. The Program will work alongside existing Australian-funded regional and global water and climate programs, providing additionality.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT
A key priority for Australia’s engagement in Cambodia is supporting Cambodia to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. As outlined by the World Bank’s Cambodia Country Climate and Development Report, climate change will exacerbate Cambodia’s existing vulnerabilities, with projected impacts including moderate temperature rise, more hot days, prolonged dry spells, and increased intensity of high rainfall events. In light of these projected impacts, there is a need to strengthen Cambodia’s adaptive capacity. Given the centrality of water to climate adaptation, the Program aims to bring Australia’s water expertise to strengthen planning, implementation, and management of water resources to reduce vulnerability and enhance climate resilience in Cambodia.
The Program will take a gender equality, disability and social inclusion and people-centred approach to reducing vulnerability to climate change and increasing resilient livelihoods and wellbeing. It will also work with local partners to support adaptation initiatives and build local leadership and capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Inception:
- Ensure timely start-up and inception arrangements for Program (mobilisation, office set up both at central and regional level) and management, recruitment, governance, work planning, contract deliverables).
- Establish and oversee all operational and implementation requirements of Program, working with the Team Leader to operationalise the Program’s outcomes.
- Lead the mobilisation of the Program ’s delivery teams, procurement, and partnerships required to achieve the Program’s outcomes.
- Provide operational guidance and strategic advice to the Team Leader, DFAT and Program team on the DFAT contractual requirements, policies and procedures and program performance management systems required for the effective implementation of Program (based on experience from other DFAT programs and Cowater’s DFAT corporate implementation systems).
- Identify and propose mitigation measures to any risks in the early stages of Program planning.
- Operational
- Provide support and advice to the TL and Program team on the management, audit, and reported use of program funds.
- Provide support where required for all services related to the tendering, contracting, contract supervision, contract monitoring and financial management of activities in accordance with Program and Commonwealth Procurement guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with Operations Manual and conduct regular spot checks.
- Oversee adaptation of Operations Manual and procedures to adapt to changing needs of the program.
- Provide guidance, supervision and support to Program team members overseeing service provider contracts to ensure they provide high-level monitoring and professional engagement and performance.
- Provide advice and input into security operations matters and staff briefings in relation to security and advise the TL of any imminent threats.
- Provide oversight for the operations team, ensuring smooth functioning and adherence to established protocols.
- Support the development and implementation of the Program Annual Work Plan (AWP), Six-Monthly and Annual Progress Reports and knowledge sharing with stakeholders.
- Work closely with and provide direct supervisory oversight to the Head of Operations to understand and be fully informed about budget forecasts and budget vs actual tracking for the annual workplan.
- Manage the review of routine expenditure and resource allocations for initiatives, collaborating with technical teams (including local government unit and sub-national teams) and the Program operations team to optimize resource allocations.
- Provided administrative support to the Program Technical Working Groups and Steering Committee, including the preparation and submission of AWPs and budgets, diligent follow-up on recommendations or requests from the committees, and delivering regular program progress updates to governance bodies, as required.
- Quality Assurance & Implementation
- Maintain strong working relationships with RGC counterparts.
- Contributed to shaping the strategic direction and overseeing the comprehensive implementation of the Program as a pivotal member of the Program Senior Management Team.
- Collaborate with DFAT, RGC stakeholders and Program team to ensure efficient design and execution of program initiatives – with a focus on climate adaptation, gender equality, local governance, social inclusion, disability and indigenous development.
- Serve as one of the primary liaisons with DFAT, facilitating communication on strategic planning and implementation progress for the program. Additionally, oversee the Secretariat function for the joint RGC/GoA Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups, ensuring seamless coordination.
- Uphold program implementation mechanisms and processes to meet the quality standards set by DFAT and Cowater. Supervise the integration between program and operational teams, conducting regular reviews of budget and human resource allocations to optimize efficiency.
- Lead the implementation and oversight of the Program Quality Assurance and Implementation Framework, Inception Plan, Mobilisation Action Plan, Annual Work Plans and Budgets and implementation initiatives.
- Leading on work to ensure that Program aligns with the Australian Aid priorities including principles of sustainability, localisation, climate change, GEDSI, indigenous development, Australia partnership strengthening.
- Lead implementation efforts to ensure Program supports sustainable capacity building of RGC counterparts and stakeholders.
- Other duties as requested by the Team Leader.
- PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement, program management, operations management and/or financial management, preferably working with DFAT programming.
- Results-focused and team-oriented.
- Takes initiative to identify and anticipate client needs and make recommendations for implementation.
- Experience in the establishment and management of administrative and reporting processes and procedures.
- Experience in tendering, contract, and procurement processes.
- Experience in recruitment and human resources management.
- Demonstrated experience in managing an operations team (with direct reports) including performance management.
- Excellent program, financial and grants management skills, and knowledge of all areas of program management.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively broker, collaborate and build positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders to achieve agreed deliverables and performance objectives.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities within a dynamic environment.
- Ability to identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and process improvements.
- Strong understanding of international assistance funding and related procurement and program management procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to apply a gender equality and social inclusion lenses and inclusive management practices across the Program team, the Program, and administrative processes, and procedures.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly and concisely.
- Excellent speaking, writing, and oral communication skills in English.
- DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
- Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and operations management of a large scale DFAT Program working in areas related to government partnership, climate adaptation, GEDSI, local governance, indigenous development and disability inclusion.
- Experience in finance, HR, procurement, logistics, and program start-up.
- Have the requisite cultural knowledge and ability to work respectfully and effectively in the context.
- Proven experience managing multiple partnerships and developing and maintaining strong stakeholder relations.
- Demonstrated success working with the government partners in Southeast Asia.
- Experience managing a team of national consultants to deliver on program objectives and achieve results.
- Experience in ensuring program objectives align with Australia international development priorities.
- Experience in adaptive management of international aid programs.
- High level policy and analytical skills.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly and concisely.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and cultures.
- Proven track record fostering inclusive and collaborative learning, adaptive management, and data-driven decision making
- A demonstrated history of success investing in relationships with government representatives and other key partners.
