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POSITION : Operations Manager 

Context

The International Bureaux team supports all News Group bureaux.

The Operations Manager reports to the International Bureaux [“IB”] team.

DESCRIPTION

• You will be responsible for financial control, the administration of strategic initiatives, and best practice in the Abuja Bureau. This will involve oversight of the preparation of timely, accurate and relevant financial information relating to the Abuja Bureau to the Lagos team.
• Within the context above, the Operations Manager will be responsible for timely and effective day-to-day co-operation between the Bureau and the relevant authorities in Nigeria, ensuring best practice in the BBC’s compliance with local regulations governing such areas as media, employment and health & safety law.
• You will report to the Hub Bureau Manager, based in Lagos, for the day-to-day running of the Abuja Bureau administration. You will also be responsible for the supervision of the wider administration and HR management in Nigeria.
• The key task of this role is to provide efficient functioning of the office (administration, staffing, basic finances and other aspects that may be required for the smooth day-to-day operation), and to give reliable support to the editorial activity of the Abuja Bureau by supervising these areas for all divisions, in compliance with the strategic priorities of all parts of the business.
• In doing so, the post holder will have to work with the IB and International Bureaux Finance [“IBF”] teams, as well as local suppliers where necessary.

 Duties

• To understand the strategic priorities of all parts of the business and to manage the administration of the Abuja Bureau accordingly.
• To ensure compliance in Nigeria, as well as within the BBC in administration and human resources areas and to be a single point of contact for London on relevant compliance issues, and to advise on levels of risk; to keep the IB and IBF teams in London informed of issues or changes (including legislative ones) which may have implications for the BBC’s operations in Nigeria, and to work with the stakeholders to resolve issues as they arise.
• To supervise HR operations in Nigeria which include:
  • Maintenance of HR paperwork, i.e. employment agreements, personnel records, independent contractor agreements, training records, records of overtime and leave allocations for local hire staff; ensure that all HR records, internal orders and documents conform to local labour legislation;
  • Submission of Joiner, Mover & Leaver [“JML”] requests
  • Maintenance of HR data in compliance with the BBC best practice;
  • Keeping records of mandatory training both in compliance with local legislation and BBC procedures;
  • Oversight of the visa application process for all BBC staff going in and out of Nigeria
  • Support for employee relations matters including taking notes of formal meetings;
  • Support for organising training sessions and seminars;
• To supervise overall administration issues which include:
  • The work of the Abuja Bureau with external organisations, making sure that business priorities are met and that agreements are compliant, i.e. relations with the landlord, his/her agents and the relevant municipal authorities; including supervision of contracts with outside contractors and private landlords; monitoring and resolution of customs issues; and third party distribution arrangements
  • Compliance of Abuja Bureau maintenance and operation with both BBC and local health and safety standards, as well as fire safety standards and to lead on Business Continuity issues, liaising at all times with the relevant London staff and Bureau engineers and technology specialists.
• To supervise basic financial operations in the Abuja Bureau which include:
  • Management of petty cash floats, including proper and timely recording and monitoring of transactions;
  • Robust management of the cash advances process ensuring all necessary financial controls are performed, and the review of all expenses to ensure they are compliant with BBC policy;
  • Accounting, both in local and foreign currency, in conformity with local legislation;
  • Supervision of payroll matters on behalf of the Abuja Bureau, including payments to freelancers or guest contributors, as well as contractors in other parts of the region;
  • The reporting of FTE and headcount information, on an actuals and forecast basis, to the IBF team in London;
  • The continuous review and improvement of all administration and HR processes and controls, ensuring they are in line with best practice. This includes following up on all outstanding actions from previous and future IBF and Internal Audit recommendation.
• Responsibility for the line management of fleet management and reception staff in Abuja. This will include carrying out recruitment, appraisals, career development and provide training recommendations as applicable for this Abuja Bureau support team.
• To assist correspondents and other bureau staff in the logistical management of coverage, with a view to making it as cost effective and safe as possible.

Specification 

• Good analytical skills.
• Ability to work unsupervised in a busy and pressurised environment.
• Good working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures of the BBC.
• Willingness to travel occasionally both across West Africa and beyond as required.
• Fluent spoken and written English skills; excellent communications skills and ability to manage remote communication effectively.
• Experience of supporting and delivering to strategic objectives.
• Sound book keeping experience: working with budgets; advising managers of cost issues; working knowledge of SAP and/or relevant accounting software.
• Thorough knowledge of local media, labour and safety legislation.
• Strong personal skills and confidence in communicating with people at all levels and from different backgrounds.
• Experience of stakeholder and crisis management.
• Excellent negotiating and influencing skills, with demonstrated experience of negotiating contracts with external suppliers and partners.
• Demonstrated experience of introducing new, flexible and efficient working practices.
• Demonstrable ability to handle pressure, meet tight deadlines; to prioritise work and to confidently delegate authority; to manage several projects at the same time.
• Excellent IT skills, with advanced knowledge of and programmes such as Excel, Word and Outlook, as well as the ability to become proficient in internal BBC technology systems.
• A lively interest in the broadcast and digital news and the wider media environment and appreciation of the particular demands it may place on administrative work.
• A knowledge of the West Africa media scene and future trends; sensitivity to and awareness of the role of international broadcasters in Nigeria.

Competencies

• Business Management: Is able to understand commercial imperatives and trading relationships, appropriately applies business principles in terms of costs, the market and added value.
• Strategic Thinking: Can identify a vision along with the plan which needs to be implemented to meet the end goal. Evaluates situations, decisions, issues, etc. in the short, medium and longer-term.
• Analytical Skills: Simplifies complex problems, processes or projects. Identifies casual relationships and constructs frameworks for problem-solving and/or development.
• Decision Making: Is ready and able to take initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of decisions.
• Influencing Others: Presents sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Draws from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
• Motivation/Drive: Constantly seeks to do things better through setting more challenging goals. Is prepared to question the current way of doing things and take risks in pursuit of excellence.
• Flexibility: Adapts to changing circumstances and displays a positive attitude to the process of change.