Who We Are

Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

This is an full time role located on site in Sierra Leone.

The Opportunity

Do you have a heart for the hurting and a desire to invest your talents and experiences into a mission with eternal significance? For every transformative surgery that takes place onboard one of our Mercy Ships, there are dozens of men and women being used of the Lord to prepare the way through their vocational gifts and talents!

The Country Engagement Team (CET) Operations Director works closely with the Country Director (CD) and other colleagues in the country and collaborates with counterparts on the vessels, at the Africa Services Center (ASC), and at the International Support Center (ISC) to carry out the five-year Country Engagement Cycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage country office and team lodging, including supplies acquisition, utilities, information technology, vehicle maintenance and use, etc.
• Establish Mercy Ships International as an international non-governmental organization (NGO) in the host country and maintain relevant certification and registration requirements
• Adapt contract templates for hiring local personnel and service companies in line with country requirements
• Ensure country-specific logistics for incoming long-term personnel and short-term visitors are appropriately addressed to facilitate a smooth stay
• Provide logistical support for high-profile events
• Build and maintain relationships with operational partners in the host country to facilitate efficient and effective execution of operational activities during all phases of the Country Engagement Cycle
• Supervise select operations personnel

The CET Operations Director assumes the role of Acting Country Director if designated by the Country Director or the ASC Director.

How You’ll Contribute:

• Works with the Accounts Payable processes, performing higher level functions.
• Assist with timely completion of month-end processes.
• Prepare and input journal entries (monthly, adjusting, and recurring).
• Utilize and analyze information and options by developing spreadsheet reports and or verifying information.
• Assist in preparing reports.
• Prepare audit work papers for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Review, investigate, and correct errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports.
• Monitor compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and company procedures.
• Answer accounting and financial questions by researching and interpreting data.
• Assist with special projects as requested.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and can prioritize tasks.
• Assist with USD and foreign transactions.
• Perform other duties and ad hoc projects, as required.

  Overarching Operations

• In collaboration with department leads, implement operational strategies identified by the organization while continuously evaluating operational processes and systems to improve efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and maximize impact.
• Raise the need for and contribute to the development of new operational policies and procedures (to align with those of the wider organization) and ensure approved policies and procedures are appropriately followed by the in-country team.

  Team Property

• Locate and contract suitable space(s) for the country office and team housing, liaising with the Global Security Department for input on security matters and the CD and ASC Director for final approval. Outfit both according to needs of the team.
• In collaboration with the Global Infrastructure Portfolio Manager and in consideration of local requirements, determine if insurance is needed for off-ship facilities - such as country office, team housing, and HOPE Center - and arrange for it accordingly.
• Oversee all aspects of vehicle fleet management, including registration, licensing, insurance, maintenance, and fuel management for vehicles used as part of country engagement operations.

   

  Supplies

• In line with the budget and procurement policies, ensure consistent availability of supplies and equipment required by the office and in-country team to carry out work efficiently and effectively.
• Liaise with CET Development Manager(s) to ensure that essential start-up supplies are provided to the team, including but not limited to satellite phone and other security supplies, medical kit, and fire safety supplies.
• Prepare agreements with various businesses in order to facilitate the arrival and operations of the ship (e.g. agent, global shipping services, food chandler).

  Personnel

• With knowledge of local labor laws and in collaboration with relevant government ministries and the People & Culture Department of Mercy Ships, adapt the contract template to the local context to facilitate efficient hiring of local personnel and service companies as needed during the Country Engagement Cycle.
• Become well versed in the country’s administrative requirements related to visas, residency permits, and/or work permits, keeping in mind the Protocol d’Accord and Accord de Siège, and provide relevant guidance and support to colleagues.
• Support hiring process for locally recruited personnel, especially ensuring local labor requirements are fulfilled.
• As directed by the CD, assume a supervisory role for select personnel.
• Manage logistics including but not limited to airport transfers, lodging, and SIM cards for all individuals visiting the host nation for country engagement purposes (not those coming to the vessel during the field service).

  Information Technology

• In collaboration with the IT Department, establish contracts with mutually agreed upon phone and internet providers to serve the needs of CET and all departments on board the vessel.

  Finances

• Provide input on annual country budget, especially in relation to operational activities.
• Assume oversight of operational aspects of country budget if directed by the CD.
• Set up bank account for the vessel and facilitate first delivery of funds according to developed and approved finance policies and in collaboration with ASC Finance Director.

  Partnerships

• Foster professional relationships with local businesses, vendors, schools, and appropriate government ministries to enhance operational effectiveness in the country.
• Participate in high-level meetings as requested by the CD.

  Communications and Events

• In collaboration with the Senior Management Team on the vessel, support logistical aspects of high-profile events such as the vessel’s arrival ceremony, the partners’ reception (start of field service) and the appreciation reception (end of field service).
• This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

   

  Education & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, such as finance, business, or project management.
• Experience of at least 3 years as a senior manager in an operations department, with proven knowledge about contracts, supplies acquisition, IT, event logistics. Experience in an NGO is an added advantage.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint and familiarity with various business software, such as Salesforce.
• Excellent organizational and leadership abilities, with proven experience on increasing operational efficiency and productivity through the improvement of systems and procedures.
• Previous experience with Mercy Ships in a relevant role is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English required. If working in a Francophone country, C1 French level or higher is strongly preferred.
• Valid international driver’s license required; must have experience with both automatic and manual transmission vehicles and be willing to obtain an international driver’s license/permit.
• Previous security management training desirable.
• Note: Successful completion of Mercy Ships’ Onboarding program, Country Engagement Training, and Security Training will be required within the first year, unless otherwise indicated.

This is a paid position. To explore our many Mercy Ships volunteer opportunities, please visit us at: https://www.mercyships.org/get-involved/volunteer/

 Applicants do not need to have US work eligibility to apply***