JOB ADVERTISEMENT
Position : |
Operations Manager |
Reporting to : |
Chief Operating Officer ( COO) |
Department : |
Mid- Management |
Job Type : |
Full-Time |
Location : |
Rwanda- Kigali |
Salary range |
: Gross salary: Between 2,580,655 and 2,824,965 |
About Chancen International
CHANCEN International, a non-profit, offers ethical financing for African youth to access quality tertiary education through Income Share Agreements (ISAs). Established in East Africa in 2018, it covers tuition fees during studies, and graduates repay based on income, enabling funding for future students. Based in Kigali, Rwanda, it has supported over 2,000 students in its first two years. CHANCEN believes in empowering African youth responsibly, seeing education as a tool for unlocking potential and creating equal access to quality education that leads to decent employment. Our innovative financing model aims to boost economic mobility for marginalized youth, fostering participation in building strong economies and peaceful nations. We are committed to creating a safe working environment where each individual can flourish and achieve their full potential. Our actions are guided by our core values: Collaboration, Inclusivity, Learning, Teamwork, and Vulnerability. |
Main Job Purpose:
As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the operational functions of the Chancen Member journey within Rwanda. You will be accountable for implementing efficient processes, maintaining compliance with regulations, managing resources effectively, and fostering a culture of excellence within the operations team. As an Operations Manager, you will also be expected to engage with all relevant external stakeholders, leadership at education institutions, and key players in the youth employment sector.
The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership skills, strategic thinking capabilities, and a deep understanding of financial or microfinance operations.
The Operations Manager plays a crucial role at the country operations level to ensure:
- Country-level operations activities align with the organization’s overall objectives;
- Chancen’s culture of collaboration, impactful solutions, and value-driven decisions is upheld;
- Employees are inspired and motivated to perform at their best through mentorship, upskilling, positive encouragement, and incentive initiatives;
- Close alignment with the Country Director to support collaboration across all target markets.
ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES
a) Operational oversight:
- Develop, implement, and optimize operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, including Partner Education Institution relationship management, ISA member onboarding, Student Monitoring activities, disbursements, repayments, and administrative functions.
- Monitoring operational performance metrics and implementing improvements as needed to meet organizational goals.
- Support the management of relationships with current and prospective partner education institutions to ensure exceptional service delivery and partner satisfaction.
b) Resources, team management, Development, and Performance Management
- Oversee staffing needs, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and development of operations team members.
- Work with the HR Manager to ensure that performance management processes related to Objectives and Key results are effectively managed, including monthly monitoring meetings with each line report.
- Manage human and financial resources efficiently to support operational objectives.
- Develop and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources.
- Establish strong and productive working relationships with CHANCEN’s senior leadership team and employees throughout the organization.
- Role model effective, professional, and resilient behaviors and performance to achieve consistent and sustainable organizational results.
- Proactively prevent and resolve conflict by managing team actions.
- Work with the Country Director to provide clear development plans and targets for employees, building on areas of success and bolstering areas of challenge, in accordance with the CHANCEN Staff Development Policy.
c) Lead the Implementation of Income Share Agreement (ISA) Operational Activities
Lead the Applications, Member Onboarding, and Student Monitoring activities and ensure impact metrics, application targets, processes, and policies are adhered to.
- Ensure Portfolio at Risk is maintained and all repayment activities reach organizational targets.
- Troubleshoot any obstacles that arise in any of the ISA systems, finding innovative and rapid resolutions.
- Ensure that the reports on operational performance, including key metrics, trends, and areas for improvement required by the Country Director are provided timeously and are accurately and professionally presented.
- Conduct data analysis to identify opportunities for ISA management optimization and inform strategic decision-making.
- Evaluate and implement technological solutions in partnership with IT to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.
- Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in microfinance operations and incorporate innovative approaches as appropriate.
d) Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure that all operational processes comply with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
- Identify and mitigate operational risks to safeguard the organization’s assets and reputation.
- Conduct regular audits and reviews to assess compliance and operational effectiveness.
EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or related field.
- Proven experience (6+ years) in operations management, preferably in the recognized financial or microfinance sector.
- Proven track record in managing repaymProven experience (5+ years) in operations management, preferably in the financial or microfinance sector.
- Proven track record in managing repayments/collections in complex environments.
- Experience with Education Finance /Student Finance or Youth Financial Inclusion will be an added advantage
- Proven track record in managing repayments/collections in complex environments.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Fluency in multiple languages, especially those relevant to the organization’s client base.
- Strong analytic and data management skills
- Proven track record of managing diverse teams/people, with solid knowledge of human resource management skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to social impact and financial inclusion initiatives.
- Able to plan 6-18 months ahead, make courageous decisions in the face of uncertainty, identify and anticipate risks and consequences, and plan to overcome these.
- Experience working with diverse communities and populations, particularly in underserved areas.
- Strong understanding of microfinance principles, products, and operational processes.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal
- Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with operational software and systems.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards applicable to microfinance institutions.
- Able to resolve complex strategic problems, design solutions to address key priorities, and adapt solutions to changing client and market needs.
- Can re-engineer and create new processes to get around obstacles.
- Able to condense a large amount of information into a useful form, skillfully organizing complex written work.
- Trusted to maintain the confidentiality of finances, salaries, clients, and detailed company plans.
How to Apply:
Qualified and Interested Candidates should send their applications which contain a resume with the email address, contact, qualifications, names, and addresses of three referees together with a cover letter, and academic certificate at Chancen’s recruitment email via the apply button.
The deadline for receiving applications is no later than 28th June 2024 at 5:00 pm
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.