Job opportunity with IRIN: Operations Manager, Geneva

Operations Manager

Position: Operations Manager

Start date: ASAP

Nature of contract: Temporary contract initially, with potential of longer-term employment

Location: Geneva

Link: https://irin-news.workable.com/jobs/47875

IRIN is recruiting a senior operations manager to set-up its new headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, following its spin-off from the United Nations. The Operations Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining key start-up and ongoing “business-as-usual” systems, policies and procedures for the newly independent non-profit IRIN Foundation.

One of the world’s top think tanks on humanitarian affairs - the UK-based Overseas Development Institute’s Humanitarian Policy Group - is currently incubating IRIN on a temporary basis. The Operations Manager will lay the groundwork for the handover of operations to IRIN Foundation.

Based in Geneva, and reporting to the Deputy Director of IRIN, the Operations Manager will also lead operational recruitment, building an effective central service team to support IRIN in human resources, finance, IT and other administrative functions, as outlined below.

General Responsibilities:

Set up and manage flexible yet robust initial HR, finance and administrative systems core to the processes of IRIN and appropriate to the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
Develop and document policies, practices and facilities for IRIN
Facilitate information sharing across internal departments
Devise strategic and management tools for achieving objectives over the long-term
Oversee and adapt central and project management, administration and communication systems as needs change

Financial management:

Set up effective financial management systems
Review and monitor budgets, record expenditures, process invoices, and regularly report to management
Oversee financial management of grants, including disbursement, expenditures, donor reporting and monitoring of deliverables; ensure earmarked funding is spent accordingly
Liaise with auditors

Operational support:

Set up new office in Geneva
Develop and implement high-quality internal systems and procedures, covering admin, finance, HR and monitoring and evaluation
Support logistics of staff travel
Organise meetings and events

HR Support:

Ensure IRIN employment practices are in line with Swiss regulatory norms, including benefits, pension schemes, residency and tax
Build an operational team, including HR, finance and administrative support as needed
Support the search for and recruitment and induction of other new staff and contractors
Outsource IRIN Foundation’s payroll system; update payroll provider with details of starters, leavers and changers on a monthly basis within specified deadlines

To apply:

Submit a CV and cover letter through at: https://irin-news.workable.com/jobs/47875

Your cover letter must detail any similar “start-up” experience and your familiarity with Geneva standards and procedures.

The deadline to apply is 11:59pm GMT Sunday 29 March 2015. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they arrive. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only respond to short-listed candidates.

About IRIN:

IRIN was the first news service of its kind, founded nearly 20 years ago by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in response to a gap in humanitarian reporting exposed by the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath. What started as daily faxes to aid workers has turned into an award-winning humanitarian news and analysis service that delivers reporting from the frontlines of crises in more than 70 countries.

Our expert reporters and senior editors highlight neglected crises, amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable, influencing policy-makers, and critically examining what has now become a $22-billion-a-year aid industry.

Backed by more than 170 freelance correspondents, they deliver daily humanitarian reportage in English, French and Arabic through a website, a mobile app, a free email subscription service, and media syndication.

In a 2008 survey commissioned by IRIN, the global marketing research company ACNielsen found IRIN to be the premier online humanitarian news source for people who describe themselves as having a "strong impact on humanitarian issues". The survey found that when it comes to keeping abreast of humanitarian news and issues, IRIN was preferred to its closest rival, BBC Online, by a ratio of 4 to 1.

Moving forward, IRIN plans to expand coverage to Latin America and to China, increase language offerings, hire additional staff to market and monetize some products, increase storytelling/reporting platforms and take on more investigative multimedia projects.

As it enters a new phase, IRIN is looking for a motivated, dynamic individual with an entrepreneurial spirit who will contribute to IRIN’s drive to become the world’s pre-eminent humanitarian news outlet.

Essential Skills:

Knowledge of Geneva standards and best practices, particularly in HR
Previous experience in a start-up scenario
Policy development
Budget monitoring and providing narratives to financial figures
Strong analytical skills; confidence in financial analysis and quantitative data
IT skills including Excel, Word, Outlook email, PowerPoint, databases
High organisation skills with meticulous attention to detail
Proactive, problem solving approach; ability to work on own initiative in a decentralised team
Strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and French

Desirables:

Interest in international development/humanitarian issues
Experience in document management systems
Willingness to travel

This is an initial short-term “start-up” contract, with the potential of longer-term employment after that. Pre-existing Swiss citizenship or residency a requirement. Rates are competitive, negotiated based on experience.

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