Program Operations Manager

Job Description

ProSidian Seeks a Director / Program Operations Manager (PM) (Full-Time) in Mid Atlantic Washington Metropolitan Area (Northern Virginia | Washington DC | Maryland) to support an engagement for an independent agency of the United States Federal Govt. that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.  The Agency’s Development Objective is to have the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to ensure that assistance aligns with the priorities of local actors; is inclusive of marginalized populations; leverages local capacities and resources; and engages with local systems in ways that build upon and strengthen local leadership, capacity, and self-reliance to sustain development over time.  To achieve this vision and these objectives, The Agency focuses on three practice areas: (1) technical leadership, where locally led approaches to development are put to work in Agency programs and USG policies and strategies; (2) evidence and learning, where the Agency builds evidence for locally owned and sustained development through research, innovation, and evaluations; and (3) agency policy, capacity, and culture, where Agency staff and leadership are champions and practitioners of locally led approaches through uptake of new knowledge, skills, and mindsets. 

ProSidian Team Members work to provide technical, management and program support services and deliverables supporting an international Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3) Local Sustainability Institutional Support Contract (LS-ISC).  Under this contract, The ProSidian Engagement Team provides staffing, institutional, operational, technical, and administrative support to “E3/LS” present and future programs, including long-term technical assistance (LTTA) and short-term technical assistance (STTA).  ProSidian must provide these services in support of the E3/LS vision, development objective, and three Practice Areas (locally-led development | volunteerism | cooperative development).

Candidates shall work to support requirements for PR0001 Other Logistical Support As Needed and work independently to manage a portfolio of assignments and a cadre of independent ProSidian consultants.  The Program Manager is responsible for all aspects of an assignment including assignment planning, recruitment, budget management, implementation, and close-out.  The role involves direct client relationships and routine coordination with ProSidian consultants.  ProSidian seeks candidates who are able to multi-task, problem-solve, and ensure high-quality management of ProSidian activities.

The Program Manager will manage a portfolio of assignments, each with technical consultants to backstop.  S/he may work in a teaming arrangement with other Team Members to co-manage complex assignments which often entail multiple consultants who conduct extensive international travel, a dense schedule of key-informant interviews, and/or performance evaluation activities.  S/he will be responsible for managing client relationships and ensuring that ProSidian activities are completed on time, according to the Scope of Work, project policies and procedures and within budget.

The Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations for the US Foreign Aid And Development Assistance Agency.  S/he will work closely with the operations team to ensure the smooth operations, financial management, procurement, compliance and project management of the project.  S/he will report to the ProSidian Managing Principal, work in collaboration with other Project Directors, Technical Advisors, participate in efforts and activities to Identify (25%), Qualify (25%), Pursue (25%), and Close (25%) new project opportunities in coordination with the ProSidian Team.  S/he will mentor and team with other Team Members on duties and composition of portfolio activities that will vary based on the Program Manager’s project needs including but not limited to the following types of activities:

• Financial Management:  Assists with project budget preparation, monitoring, and reporting.  Assists in maintaining trackers for budget monitoring, level of effort utilization, etc.
• Procurement and Contract Compliance: Participates in the process for programmatic procurement, monitors vendor agreements, supports compliance with the appropriate regulations.
• Prepares the required approvals to ensure compliance with internal and external contract and policy requirements.
• Project Management:  Develops and maintains the various project management trackers and keeps filing system list updated.
• Establishes and maintains project files and project deliverables and publications.
• Assists in advising staff on operations and policies and procedures.
• Works proactively and productively with internal and external clients to develop a mutual understanding of goals and possible courses of action.
• Recommends strategies to streamline systems for effectiveness and efficiency, considering client needs, team dynamics, and the project and corporate mission. 
• Undertakes assignments on projects or special initiatives as appropriate. 
• Demonstrates leadership, professional maturity, versatility, discretion, and integrity.
• Recruitment and Staff Care:  Supports the recruitment of short and long-term staff; oversees onboarding of new staff.  Fields staff and consultants for international travel as needed.  Serves as primary contact for consultants on administrative items.

Qualifications

The Director / Program Operations Manager (PM) shall have consecutive employment in a position with comparable responsibilities within the past five (5) years, Must be able to use a computer to communicate via email; and proficient in Microsoft Office Products (Word/Excel/Power point) and related tools and technology required for the position.  Work products shall be thorough, accurate, appropriately documented, and comply with established criteria. The candidate shall ensure that duties are performed in a competent and professional manner that meets milestones/delivery schedules as outlined.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required:  GS-14 Equivalent (e.g., STTA subject matter expert, program manager, senior program analyst, etc.):  Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in a relevant field with at least six years of experience relevant to international development, including at least one year of experience at the GS-13 equivalent level.

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred in a relevant field.
• At least 4 to 6 years relevant experience (project management, finance, contracts, and operations). 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Candidate must have strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to propose possible resolutions to complex technical, managerial or operational problems.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated proactivity, attention to detail, working within deadlines, and ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client service provision. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in project administration and management procedures preferred.
• Experience in the use of database applications and presentation software desirable.
• Experience living or working in developing countries and language proficiency in geographic area preferred.
• Intermediate level proficiency in MS Excel and other MS Office Suite programs.
• Proficiency in Foreign Aid And Development Assistance Agency regulations, The FAR and ADS and procurement procedures and contract compliance. 
• Requires proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office with an emphasis on Excel spreadsheet skills, PowerPoint, Internet and e-mail applications.
• Understanding and proficiency in financial and project management systems and procedures.

Work products shall be thorough, accurate, appropriately documented, and comply with established criteria. The candidate shall ensure that duties are performed in a competent and professional manner that meets milestones/delivery schedules as outlined.

• Experience in international development, including work with USAID, a USAID implementing partner, and/or a local organization. Strong preference to candidates that have spent meaningful time working in a developing country who understand such environments.
• Experience in international development or social change is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with community-led development is a strong plus.
• Experience consulting and/or providing superior customer service related to complex international development matters, including analytical, advisory, and training support.
• Expertise in one or more technical area relevant to The Agency’s  program they will be supporting, such as (but not limited to) program design, monitoring and evaluation, organizational learning, etc. in support of locally-led development, volunteerism, and/or cooperatives development.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and excellent written and oral communication abilities.

TRAVEL:  Travel as coordinated with the technical point of contact and approved in writing by the Contracting Officer in advance, is allowed, in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.  LOCATION:  Work shall be conducted at the Mid Atlantic Washington Metropolitan Area (Northern Virginia | Washington DC | Maryland)

• U.S.  Citizenship Required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Products (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, & Adobe)
• All ProSidian staff must be determined eligible for a “Facility Access Authorization” (also referred to as an “Employment Authorization”) by the USG’s designated Security Office.

Additional Information

As a condition of employment, all employees are required to fulfill all requirements of the roles for which they are employed; establish, manage, pursue, and fulfill annual goals and objectives with at least three (3) Goals for each of the firms Eight Prosidian Global Competencies [1 - Personal Effectiveness | 2 - Continuous Learning | 3 - Leadership | 4 - Client Service | 5 - Business Management | 6 - Business Development | 7 - Technical Expertise | 8 - Innovation & Knowledge Sharing (Thought Leadership)]; and to support all business development and other efforts on behalf of ProSidian Consulting.  

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork – ability to foster teamwork collaboratively as a participant, and effectively as a team leader
• Leadership – ability to guide and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives
• Business Acumen – understanding and insight into how organizations perform, including business processes, data, systems, and people
• Communication – ability to effectively communicate to stakeholders of all levels orally and in writing
• Motivation – persistent in pursuit of quality and optimal client and company solutions
• Agility – ability to quickly understand and transition between different projects, concepts, initiatives, or work streams
• Judgment – exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
• Organization – ability to manage projects and activity, and prioritize tasks

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OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Business Tools –  understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Business Tools – understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Commitment - to work with smart, interesting people with diverse backgrounds to solve the biggest challenges across private, public and social sectors
• Curiosity – the ideal candidate exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together
• Humility – exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have impact and make a difference
• Willingness - to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom

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BENEFITS AND HIGHLIGHTS

ProSidian Employee Benefits and Highlights: Your good health and well-being are important to ProSidian Consulting. At ProSidian, we invest in our employees to help them stay healthy and achieve work-life balance. That’s why we are also pleased to offer the Employee Benefits Program, designed to promote your health and personal welfare. Our growing list of benefits currently include the following for Full Time Employees:

• Competitive Compensation: Pay range begins in the competitive ranges with Group Health Benefits, Pre-tax Employee Benefits, and Performance Incentives. For medical and dental benefits, the Company contributes a fixed dollar amount each month towards the plan you elect. Contributions are deducted on a Pre-tax basis.
• Group Medical Health Insurance Benefits: ProSidian partners with BC/BS, to offer a range of medical plans, including high-deductible health plans or PPOs. ||| Group Dental Health Insurance Benefits: ProSidian dental carriers - Delta, Aetna, Guardian, and MetLife.
• Group Vision Health Insurance Benefits:ProSidian offers high/low vision plans through 2 carriers: Aetna and VSP.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plans help you save for your retirement for eligible employees. A range of investment options are available with a personal financial planner to assist you. The Plan is a pre-tax Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a company match.
• Vacation and Paid Time-Off (PTO) Benefits: Eligible employees use PTO for vacation, a doctor’s appointment, or any number of events in your life. Currently these benefits include Vacation/Sick days – 2 weeks/3 days | Holidays - 10 ProSidian and Government Days are given.
• Pre-Tax Payment Programs: Pre-Tax Payment Programs currently exist in the form of a Premium Only Plan (POP). These Plans offer a full Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan and a tax benefit for eligible employees.
• Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plans: We want you to achieve financial success. We offer a Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plan through The Corporate Perks Benefit Program. This provides special discounts for eligible employees on products and services you buy on a daily basis.
• Security Clearance: Due to the nature of our consulting engagements there are Security Clearance requirements for Engagement Teams handling sensitive Engagements in the Federal Marketplace. A Security Clearance is a valued asset in your professional portfolio and adds to your credentials.
• ProSidian Employee & Contractor Referral Bonus Program: ProSidian Consulting will pay up to 5k for all referrals employed for 90 days for candidates submitted through our Referral Program.
• Performance Incentives: Due to the nature of our consulting engagements there are performance incentives associated with each new client that each employee works to pursue and support.
• Flexible Spending Account: FSAs  help you pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent day care expenses on a pre-tax basis. You determine your projected expenses for the Plan Year and then elect to set aside a portion of each paycheck into your FSA.
• Supplemental Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: If you want extra protection for yourself and your eligible dependents, you have the option to elect supplemental life insurance. D&D covers death or dismemberment from an accident only.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Disability insurance plans are designed to provide income protection while you recover from a disability.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - See Below Instructions On The Best Way To Apply

ProSidian Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants foremployment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ProSidian Consulting has made a pledge to the Hiring Our Heroes Program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the “I Hire Military” Initiative of The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) for the State of North Carolina. All applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of Veteran Status.

Furthermore, we believe in "HONOR ABOVE ALL"  - be successful while doing things the right way. The pride comes out of the challenge; the reward is excellence in the work.

FOR EASY APPLICATION USE OUR CAREER SITE LOCATED ON http://www.ProSidian.com/ OR SEND YOUR RESUME’S, BIOS, AND SALARY EXPECTATION / RATES TO CAREERS @ PROSIDIAN.COM.

ONLY CANDIDATES WITH REQUIRED CRITERIA ARE CONSIDERED.

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