Job Description: OPERATIONS MANAGER

Summary of Role: The Operations Manager is responsible for the efficient and effective day to day running of the UK Operations of the charity, liaising with the overseas team and the President, the Charity Board of Directors, and staff as required and in accordance with compliance to Company and Charity law and good standards of practice.

The Operations Manager will line manage all sevenstaff members and ensure that the Charity complies with company law, charity law and standards of good practice.

Reports to:The Operations Manager is accountable to and reports to the Board of Directors.

Remuneration:£30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience

Workplace:Petersfield, Hampshire, England + national travel

Application:CV and covering letter to David Grove

Deadline:31st December 2012

Interviews:Early January

JOB CONTEXT:

The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) supports the unique work of Canon Andrew White, sometimes known as the Vicar of Baghdad. It promotes conflict resolution and reconciliation in the Middle East, specialising in conflicts where there is a religious component to the violence. It also provides humanitarian relief and economic rejuvenation in areas where conflict has caused poverty and hardship.

FRRME is a British Christian charity. In Baghdad, it finances both St George’s church, which ministers to over 550 Iraqi Christian families, and the St George’s Medical Clinic, which tends to over 2,000 patients every month.

FRRME also brings together the most senior religious clerics in Iraq, from across the sectarian and ethnic divides, enabling them to work collaboratively and to use their considerable influence to persuade their people to refrain from violence, to engage politically, and to support the rule of law.

This unique work is only made possible through the relationships that Canon White and FRRME staff have with contacts in the Middle East. It is therefore imperative that these relationships are nurtured and maintained by all staff.

The nature of the work requires back-up be available every day and night. This support is provided by the small but highly capable team of staff, some of whom travel with Canon White, whilst others are based permanently in Hampshire, England.

FRRME are looking to offer this post to a professional, highly motivated Christian who maybe available to travel, both alone and with Canon White, but who will spend the majority of their time working from the Petersfield office.

He or she will lead the UK team in pursuing this extraordinary work of conflict mediation and reconciliation in Iraq and beyond.

The role includes but is not limited to:

A. GOVERNANCE

1.Manage day to day operations within previously agreed parameters as defined by the Board of Directors which includes:

  • Manage staff and their work assignments as their line manager, conducting interviews, appraisals, training, preparing contracts and job descriptions,
  • Providing monthly management reports, quarterly management accounts, weekly financial updates,
  • Prepare agenda’s for meetings,
  • Authorising invoices, bank & online payments, payroll within previously approved spending authority,
  • Ensure the correct allocation of funds, timely international payments & ordering of cash for trips whilst observing policies and procedures,
  • Oversee the annual budget and individual event budgets e.g. trips & conferences,
  • Maintain on call system ensuring all staff are fully trained in the procedure,
  • Maintain crisis plan and review regularly with staff to ensure all are fully prepared in the event of a crisis,

2.In consultation with Financial Administration keep updated on Charity Commission & Company issue of new standards/laws and any other information relevant to efficient and effective running of Charitable Companies.

3.Escalate issues to the President and Directors as appropriate.

B. FUNDRAISING

  1. Oversee the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
  2. Maintain donor database to effectively inform, nurture and keep engaged all connections
  3. Proactively seek new connections and partnerships to increase the donor database on a monthly basis
  4. Research for appropriate submissions to secure both short and long term funding from organisations, charities, companies and individuals.
  5. Maximise gift aid opportunities and ensure timely claims are regularly made,
  6. Ensure donors receive an appropriate and timely thank you and receipt of donation.
  7. Oversight of all publications produced for fundraising and purposes of informing the general public and relevant organisations.
  8. Provide necessary reporting on monies received.

C. COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

  1. Maintain daily communications with UK and Overseas Staff, particularly with Canon Andrew White.
  2. Oversee all newsletters, electronic communications, new media, and press releases.
  3. Manage all publicity information representing FRRME in the media, churches, before parliamentarians, leaders, and officials and in academia and strategic partners, e.g. Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.
  4. Liaise and develop relevant contacts with the media
  5. Overall responsibility for the FRRME website

D. HUMAN RESOURCES

  1. Manage the human resources needs of the charity, which includes providing contracts, job descriptions, assigning responsibilities and workloads.
  2. Continual assessment and monitoring of the recruitment needs of the Charity escalating resourcing requirements with the Board of Directors and once approved work together to recruit staff.
  3. Induct all new staff and carry out regular appraisals, reviewing development opportunities for each staff member.
  4. Manage the annual and sick leave whilst maintaining the on call rota.

F. CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Working in Baghdad and the Middle East exposes the Foundation to ‘crisis’ and unexpected events regularly.

  1. Oversee the management of any ‘crises’ in accordance with the crisis plan.
  2. Regularly review with all staff the crisis plan and refine as required to ensure all are well informed on its implementation as required.
  3. Keep staff overseas informed in crisis plan updates and strategic contacts
  4. Assess operational risks, which could escalate to a crisis, and encourage overseas staff to reciprocate.
  5. Manage the smooth running of the on call system, making periodic tests to ensure its ongoing efficient viability.

G. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  1. Produce project plans and budgets for Board approval,
  2. Once approved, implement and manage projects to deliver desired outcomes which includes:
  • International Conferences
  • Reconciliation Meetings
  • Major meetings and events
  • International trips and associated Itineraries
  • Both in the UK and overseas

H. GENERAL

  1. General management of the UK operations and the FRRME office, ensuring the systems of administration are fit for purpose, efficient and effective.
  2. In fulfilling the above duties the following should be noted;
  • To maintain personally and ensure full confidentiality across the charity as some aspects are highly sensitive.
  • Strong communication skills are essential at every level including, internally, internationally, with donors, media and across all correspondence.
  • The organisation has a high dependency on good relationships and team building,
  • To remain culturally sensitive to issue affecting the work of FRRME
  • Working flexibly in line with the Foundations given priorities at any point in time
  • Complying with the standards and procedures as set out in the charities policies, procedures, handbooks and manuals.

In all aspects of this role the following are important:

  • Confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion.
  • Exceptional communication skills, promoting the charity externally and the nurturing and building the UK staff team.
  • Acute sensitivity to cultural issues affecting the work of FRRME in the Middle East.
  • The ability to work efficiently and flexibly, whilst maintaining good humour in difficult circumstances.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Skills and qualifications:

You will have experience within the charity sector.D

You will have experience of managing staff.E

You will be exceptionally well organised and have an attention to detail. E

You will have experience of fund-raising.D

You will have the ability to initiate, manage and deliver projects.E

You will be resilient and able to work calmly and effectively in a pressured environment,E

in this case caused by the on-going security situation in Iraq.

You will be able to communicate clearly and persuasively with your seniors, E

both verbally and in writing, to explain the operational delivery of strategic objectives.

You will have the cultural sensitivity to work with Iraqi staff at St George’s church.E

Personal attributes:

The role will include leading or participating in weekly staff prayers and representing E

the Charity outside the organisation. It is a genuine occupational requirement that

you are a committed Christian, fully in agreement with the aims and goals of FRRME,

and willing and able to engage fully with the spiritual life of the churches in which you will operate.

You will be a team player with a servant heart, willing to support team members in their roles, E

and to accept and indeed ask for support from them when you need it.

Much of FRRME’s work is very sensitive. You will be discrete, and will observe FRRME’s E

confidentiality agreement at all times.