The Operations Consultant will provide in-country or remote start-up, implementation, and/or close-out support for Creative. This could include identification/termination of office space, set up or assessment of procurement, grants and HR systems, asset disposition, surge support for vacant DCOP-Operations or Operations Manager roles, and other similar tasks. All Scopes will require daily coordination with the HQ Field Operations Manager. 

Illustrative Tasks to be Performed include: 

Start-up 

1. Identify prospective properties for field office(s) and personal residences in accordance with specifications provided by HQ Field Operations and project leadership; conduct property evaluations in collaboration with HQ field Operations and HQ Security using the provided Office Space Assessment Checklist. 

1. Negotiate lease terms with landlord(s) in coordination with HQ Field Operations and facilitate lease execution. 

1. Initiate field procurements by liaising with local vendors, establishing preferred vendor lists, collecting quotations, etc.  

1. Support staff recruitment by facilitating local advertisements/newspaper postings, scheduling and/or participating in interviews, or other recruitment tasks as required. 

1. Provide guidance on banking institutions and account-opening policies and procedures. 

1. Coordinate transportation logistics for project leadership as requested.  

1. Arrange meetings for project stakeholders as requested.  

1. Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant. 

 Implementation 

1. Support Management Systems Reviews and contribute to the completion of MSR templates, action plans and reports as applicable; liaise with field teams to implement action plans as applicable. 

1. Train staff on USG rules and regulations, Creative’s Field Manual, and Operations-specific Procedures, Work Instructions, and Templates. 

1. Serve as Acting DCOP-Operations, Operations Director, or Operations Manager while full-time staff are on vacation or during recruitment of full-time personnel. 

1. Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant. 

Close-out 

1. Serve as Deputy Close-out Team Lead, providing in-country support for project close-out at the direction of the Creative Close-out Team Lead. 

1. Oversee inventory disposition and office closure(s), assisting team to develop plans and coordinate with various stakeholders. 

1. Assist with bank account closure process, as needed, ensuring required paperwork is submitted in a timely manner. 

1. Lead or assist with file reviews and file inventorying, packing and shipping, based on File Management Plan. 

1. Other similar tasks to be mutually agreed between Creative and the Consultant. 

Consultant may be responsible for: 

• Attending weekly start-up or close-out calls and providing updates.  

• Providing daily updates to the HQ Field Operations Manager. 

• Setting up the project SharePoint filing system and developing the file management plan. 

• Developing Blanket Purchase Agreements with vendors for commonly procured items. 

• Training staff on USG rules and regulations and Creative’s Field Manual. 

• Support Management Systems Reviews and contribute to the completion of MSR templates, action plans and reports as applicable; liaise with field teams to implement action plans as applicable. 

• Reviewing grant files for close-out and support the Grant Manager in resolving missing documentation; prepare tracker for missing documentation and oversee resolution of issues. 

• Oversee inventory disposition and office closure(s) with signed handover letters. 

• Submitting a detailed handover report with outstanding action items, challenges faced, and recommendations for future projects.  

Consultants must have experience in project start-ups and close-outs and performing typical duties of a DCOP-Operations or Operations Manager. Consultants must have proven experience working in the field on LTTA or STTA in multiple countries. Proficiency in English and at least one additional language is strongly desired. 

Required Qualifications:

• Work experience with international development organization(s); specific experience with project start-up/logistics strongly preferred. 

• Demonstrated negotiation skills.  

• Proven ability to lead teams, organize tasks, and communicate effectively. 

• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations. 

• Ability to be flexible per changing demands and priorities. 

• Ability to travel on short notice for up to 6 weeks. 

• Fluency in oral and written communication skills in English required; working proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is a plus.