Senior Finance Operations Manager

The USAID-funded QITABI3 project is designed to build on the success of past USAID investments through the QITABI and QITABI 2 mechanisms with significant MEHE support. This project will strengthen MEHE’s ownership for the development and strengthening of national-level evidence-based quality education. QITABI 3 will build upon past partnership and collaboration with the MEHE and leverage the MEHE commitment to bring quality early-grade learning to the national scale while providing the requisite technical assistance and financial resources to support the MEHE and relevant partners. This project will work with MEHE and CERD to design and implement targeted interventions to improve reading, math, social and emotional learning, and life skills and youth programs for students, including children with disabilities, by building the institutional capacity of government counterparts to deliver quality education services.

World Learning has an immediate vacancy for a  “Senior Finance Operations Manager” in Lebanon. This position is for a Lebanese national.

Summary:
The Senior Finance and Operations Manager will lead the financial, administrative, and operational aspects of projects implemented by World Learning in Lebanon. This role oversees internal controls and systems to ensure compliance with World Learning policies, applicable laws, regulations, and funder guidelines. Additionally, the manager will ensure efficient program operations and adherence to financial protocols to support the team in meeting budget, timeline, and deliverable commitments.

Responsibilities:
Finance Management and Compliance:
1. Oversee day-to-day financial operations to support World Learning program activities in Lebanon, ensuring adherence to World Learning, U.S. government, local regulations, and funder requirements.
2. Implement and maintain policies and procedures to ensure effective project operations and compliance with relevant laws and guidelines. Contribute to the development of new policies as needed.
3. Provide guidance on financial record-keeping practices across projects.
4. Coordinate with the World Learning Home Office on budget projections, financial reporting, payments, and other finance-related issues.
5. Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits.

Financial Coordination with Program Teams:
1. Collaborate with program staff to plan, track, and analyze project expenses aligned with program work plans and organizational needs.
2. Ensure financial record-keeping policies and practices are consistently implemented across projects.

Procurement and Payments Oversight:
1. Oversee all procurement processes and payments, ensuring compliance with World Learning and funder policies, including thorough documentation.
2. Review contracts and payment records and participate in procurement committee sessions to uphold an efficient and compliant procurement process.

Human Resources, IT, and Logistics Support:
1. Support the implementation of human resources strategies, including staff capacity building, training, and coaching on operational and administrative tasks as needed.
2. Assist with safety and security functions, including updates to the Security Management Plan and coordination with World Learning's Home Office for guidance and support.
3. Provide support for office maintenance, facilities, and IT systems to ensure secure, efficient operations, including assisting with inventory and equipment management in coordination with the World Learning Home Office.

Additional Operations Support:
1. Plan and monitor office expenditures, transportation, and vehicle usage to align with operational needs and budget requirements.
2. Build and maintain positive working relationships with local stakeholders, including vendors, legal and financial advisors, and partners.
3. Address operational issues proactively, escalating or resolving them as needed.
4. Help develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure projects operate effectively and efficiently.

Other Duties
Perform additional tasks as requested by the Country Representative to support World Learning’s goals in Lebanon.

Required Qualifications and Competencies:
• Proven budgeting and financial management skills
• Strong understanding of local laws and regulations, including banking laws
• Strong understanding of US Government assistance regulations; previous experience with large-scale USAID projects with a local office and multiple implementing partners
• Strong organizational skills; ability to stay focused within a fast-paced, demanding workplace environment
• Able to prioritize and manage short-term and continuing tasks despite competing deadlines
• High degree of professionalism – strong work ethic, proactive, independent and focused on results
• Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with diverse colleagues and stakeholders; strong ability to collaborate with others
• Ability to flexibly adapt to shifting contexts, and experience adjusting plans, within given parameters of project scope and funder/organizational rules and regulations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic
• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel. Must have familiarity with finance software and be able to learn new software quickly.

World Learning is an equal employment opportunity committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.