Location: Based in Amman
Starting Date: ASAP
Position Overview
The Projects & Operations Manager plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the effective delivery of Lapis Group’s work across the Middle East and Africa region. This role oversees project tracking, operational processes, and serves as point person for compliance related matters. This role serves as a backbone function that supports the implementation of all programs’ related projects and implementation related operations. The manager works closely with Program Managers to ensure that projects are well planned, resourced, and monitored — and with the Regional Director to align operations with strategic goals and ensure the overall portfolio of projects is implemented on time and on budget with maximum efficiency.
This is a cross-cutting role that requires excellent planning, coordination, and communication skills. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in project management, operational oversight, procurement, and organizational effectiveness – ideally from a development or media/communications context.
Key Responsibilities
- Projects Oversight & Delivery Support
- Ensure that all projects across the region are tracked, monitored, and supported from initiation to closeout.
- Support Program Managers in developing and maintaining detailed project work plans, internal budgets, procurement plans, and internal deadlines.
- Contribute to identifying risks and implementing bottlenecks early and facilitate solutions.
- Coordinate across teams to ensure consistency in planning, reporting, and delivery approaches.
- Support onboarding and handover processes for new projects.
- Operational Systems & Compliance
- Review and improve internal systems for procurement, contract management, record-keeping, and inventory tracking as per Lapis global policies.
- Ensure that all operational processes comply with Lapis policies and donor regulations and liaise with Lapis Legal and Compliance colleagues a needed.
- Maintain and regularly update vendor, consultant, and service provider databases and templates and contribute to market analysis and identification of new vendors and service providers.
- Monitor timelines and approvals for procurement and administration, reducing delays in execution.
- Internal Coordination & Workflow Management
- Serve as the central hub for cross-team operational alignment, ensuring smooth collaboration between program, creative, and administrative teams.
- Develop and maintain tools (e.g., shared trackers, dashboards, templates) that enable clear and upto-date oversight of operational activities and overall status of project implementation including workplans and budgets in cooperation with the Finance Manager and the Program Managers.
- Coordinate key internal meetings and reviews related to project implementation and operational performance.
- Strategic Support to Regional Director
- Provide regular updates and data insights to the Regional Director on project performance, operational gaps, and risk areas.
- Contribute to quarterly or annual planning exercises, including forecasting, resource needs, and systems development.
- Work closely with the Finance & Admin Manager on cross cutting planning and compliance.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Project Management, International Development, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of professional experience in project management roles, ideally in non-profit, media, or consulting environments.
- Strong track record in developing systems, processes, and tools to support operational efficiency.
- Experience with donor compliance, procurement systems, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
- Proficient in MS Office, Excel, project management tools (e.g., Trello, Monday, Smartsheet), and cloud-based file management systems.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Fluency in English required; Arabic is a strong asset.
Key Competencies
- Strong planning and coordination capabilities
- Operational systems thinker with attention to detail
- Collaborative and solutions-oriented
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
- High integrity and discretion in handling internal and external processes
How to Apply
Please send your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and qualifications to vacancies@lapisgroup.com and include “Projects & Operations Manager” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2025. Please note applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; early submissions are encouraged.
