Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organizations activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

Medical Teams International Calling:

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

The Deputy Country Director Operations will be an individual who embraces Medical Teams Internationals calling and is committed to the delivery of that calling. They will apply their character, experience and skills to provide leadership and guidance to continuously improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of critical support functions. They will contribute to a reduction in vulnerability to disease outbreaks and increased access to high quality health and nutrition services for vulnerable populations (including refugees) in Uganda.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Country Director Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Uganda program. They will oversee the administrative team and make sure that the office and support processes run smoothly. They will develop and implement operational procedures and systems and engage with external stakeholders in the delivery of efficient and effective systems.

Essential Duties:

Support Functions Leadership (80%)

• Provide leadership and management to Operations (Human Resources & Administration, Procurement, Logistics, IT, and Communications) to ensure delivery of high-quality services.
• Provide direction to Operations functions for organisational planning (including annual budget and Country Operations Plan) and model (internal) collaborative approaches for effective delivery of program impact.
• Improve operational effectiveness by optimizing systems and processes in HR/Admin, procurement, logistics, IT, and communications.
• Lead change management activities essential to comprehensive ERP integration from implementation to full utilization in the capacity as Country ERP Sponsor.
• Supervise and support Logistics, Procurement and HR/Admin team members and ERP Champions involved in ERP implementation.
• Head the Uganda ERP Champions network and ensures prioritization of system improvements or change enhancements through ERP Support and/or ERP Steering Committee.
• Restructure staffing as needed in the shifting context of humanitarian operations.
• Oversee capacity building in processes and systems, specifically overhead cost budgeting and budget monitoring.
• Support the Logistics team to improve Fleet Safety and Medicine Management (Critical Risks)
• Work with HR/Admin team to strengthen and improve employee engagement, talent acquisition and development, and leadership development.
• Oversee Procurement Manager to ensure all procurement is donor compliant and is aligned with and supports program need.
• Support Communications to increase Medical Teams visibility to support donor diversification, publicity, and deliver on headquarter content collection expectations.
• Support IT to ensure all staff have hardware tools needed to perform their tasks, internet connectivity, software, and training tools.
• Ensure Medical Teams is compliant with Ugandan law and government and with Medical Teams internal policies and procedures.
• Support Program Managers in their general management of support functions (Logistics, Procurement, HR/Administration, IT, and Communications).
• Regular travel to each field office to provide on-site support, supervision, and mentoring.

Representation & Overall Country Director support (20%)

• Work with the Country Director to lead and manage Medical Teams through significant strategic and organizational changes.
• Support Medical Teams Calling and Values translated into Uganda priorities.
• Support the representation of Medical Teams to the Government of Uganda, Ministry of Health, UN agencies, I/NGOs, faith-based organizations and other stakeholders and partners in the country.
• Build effective teamwork, coordination, and collaboration among staff in country.

Other Duties:

• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, training and performance management, partnership agreements, and highlighted in reporting.
• Ensure the Safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.
• Utilize volunteers when appropriate.
• Additional duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

Masters degree or equivalent academic and management experience in a field relevant to humanitarian operations.

EXPERIENCE

Essential Experience:

• 6-8 years continuous operations and systems management experience.
• Proven track record of achieving results in a humanitarian context in the areas of human resources, inventory and fleet management, procurement, IT and communications in developing countries.
• Proven track record in management of people and teams.

Preferred Experience:

• Change management experience in business systems such as ERP, including implementation and integration.
• Demonstrated experience in staff management; structure development, hiring, evaluating, and supervising operations staff.
• Familiarity with the health sector, specifically in a refugee context.
• Previous experience working in East Africa, especially Uganda.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of institutional donor regulations, especially US Government and UN.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, donors, systems and principles, e.g., Sphere, CHS, Red Cross Code of Conduct etc.
• A basic understanding of health systems.
• Fluent speaking and writing in English.

Skills:

• Experience implementing and using ERP systems.
• High competency with MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
• Skilled at building and maintaining a high functioning, high performing work team.
• Solutions and systems oriented.
• Skill in mapping business processes and defining Standard Operating Procedures

Abilities:

• Ability to network and cultivate strong relationships with government, donors, partners, and other
• stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with all constituents.
• Able to work collaboratively in a cross-cultural environment with a multi-national staff.
• Work hour requirements.
• Travel requirements as applicable.
• Commitment to Medical Teams International Calling Statement and Core Values.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of personal computers, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern requires the ability to speak, hear, convey, and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder.
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Seldom to occasionally position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.