Turkey: Operations Manager

Context

Founded in 2004, Building Markets is an award-winning nonprofit that creates jobs and encourages economic growth in crisis-affected countries by connecting competitive local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to supply chains and investment. Through this approach, the organization has built a network of more than 23,000 verified SMEs, assisted them in winning over $1.3 billion in contracts, and helped create over 70,000 jobs in countries like Afghanistan, Haiti, Timor-Leste, and Liberia. Building Markets is headquartered in New York City and currently operates programs in Jordan, Myanmar and Turkey. For more information, please visit www.buildingmarkets.org and https://entrepreneurs.buildingmarkets.org.

Job Summary

The Operations Manager will report to the Director of Finance and Administration. The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the administration, finance, human resources, and logistical needs of Building Markets in Turkey. This includes ensuring Building Markets’ and its partners are compliant with local rules and regulations as well as donor and organizational policy. The Operations Manager will maintain systems, reporting, and work flows across the Turkey team that support these requirements. As part of the Operations management role, the incumbent will also serve as the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) focal point, providing regular updates on activity and output metrics for Building Markets and its partners.

Responsibilities and Duties

Administrative and Financial

• Manage daily accounting and finance functions, including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll and accounts receivable and payable;
• Work with the Director of Finance and technical staff to abide by Building Markets Procurement Policy;
• Complete standard monthly accounting submissions and routine reporting;
• Maintain confidentiality of all administrative information;
• Regularly perform internal checks, reviews, and informal audits as required to ensure compliance with BM policies and best use of funds;
• Provide financial approval as per the matrix of delegated authority;
• Evaluate and report any instances of fraud, corruption or other misuse of funds;
• Maintain and monitor asset registry;
• Ensure provision of office supplies.

Logistics

• Coordinate domestic staff travel requests;
• Manage logistics for visiting staff;
• Schedule meetings;
• Serve as logistical liaison for staff on deployment;
• Serve M&E focal point under this project, which includes liaising with partners under this project to collect relevant data; and
• Ensure maintenance of property and assets (leases, rent and utilities, maintenance, repair).

Human Resources

• Compliance for new hires (visas, work permits);
• Provide induction on benefits, travel protocol, office equipment, leased property, physical and moveable assets and communications for new staff;
• Schedule interviews and maintain recruitment files;
• Maintain personnel files of all staff (including but not limited to contracts, timesheets, leave records).

Workflows

• Sync and harmonize office operational systems to reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and simplify approval processes while ensuring complete donor-to-host compliance;
• Work with the Director of Finance to develop, rollout and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for effective knowledge management across the team, its partners, and with Building Markets headquarters;
• Ensure digital workflows provide documentation and filing compliant with host government and donor regulations.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Build and maintain activity and output tracker for Building Markets projects in Turkey;
• Link existing systems, including any ERP-functioning processes, with tracker to ensure real-time project insights;
• Flag concerning operational trends as soon as they are identified and advise on possible solutions;
• As relevant, work with partner organizations to connect M&E systems.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience in operations, business management, administration and/or finance in Turkey
• Familiarity with the Turkish regulatory environment
• Fluency in English and Turkish (written and spoken)
• Experience working with multiple field teams and providing direction as guided by global policy
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines, while maintaining accuracy and quality
• Proven ability to identify operational bottlenecks, propose solutions, and implement fixes
• Sound understanding of operational procedures and efficiency principles
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills

Desired Qualifications

• Arabic or other language skills;
• Experience working with in the private sector in Turkey or a similar context;
• Demonstrated anti-fraud competencies;
• Experience negotiating for value for money with suppliers;
• Demonstrated understanding of procurement quality assurance.

Reporting Lines

Reports to the Director of Finance and Administration

Duration

Full-time, 12-month contract

Travel

Possible travel in-country

Compensation

Salary commensurate with experience

Interested candidates are invited to send a CV/resume, cover letter, and three professional references by email to vacancies@buildingmarkets.orgnot later than September 30, 2018. The subject line must read “Operations Manager - Turkey”.