Expert of Finance and Administration -DAI عودة إلى الفرص

Expert of Finance and Administration 

Project Background: 

The USAID Fiscal and Accounting System of Tunisia (FAST) Project supports the  Government of Tunisia (GoT) to improve public financial management. FAST  focuses specifically on enhancing and upgrading the government’s public financial  management information system (PFMIS) to increase the efficiency, transparency,  and predictability of public finances. The project strengthens the government’s  capacity to carry out fiscal, budgetary, and revenue collection mandates and advances  electronic services to optimize regulations, procedures, and authorizations that reduce  the cost and time burden on businesses, facilitate investment and trade, and promote  innovation. Finally, FAST works to strengthen communication between policy  makers and the public to build a common understanding of the constraints to—and  opportunities for—economic expansion. 

Purpose: 

The Expert of Finance and Administration is a key member of the project leadership  team. He/she will play a pivotal role in overseeing adherence to project’s Field  Operations Manual (FOM), USAID regulations, agreement requirements and  limitations, financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. The  individual ensures compliance of all accounting and financial reporting functions,  oversees cost and general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, risk  management, and partner’s relationships, audit backup documentation, and help supervise and support a team responsible for finance, accounting, administration,  logistics, and procurement. 

Responsibilities and Key Tasks: 

Management 

• Responsible for providing training, guidance and direction to project  Accounting/Finance/HR/Administration staff. 
• Responsible for supervising operational tasks related to office  management, inventory, day per day management, IT equipment  management . 
• Monitor and support the standardization of operational systems and  policies;  
• Support the achievement of the overall project goals as required to  ensure project performance. 
• Review project staff timesheets and process monthly payroll.

• Manage the benefits plans, allowances, and medical scheme processes in  line with human resources policies 
• Ensure fair and transparent procurement processes that adhere to both  USAID regulations and DAI standard operating procedures. 
• Analyze and streamline processes in the field office, and provide training  and capacity-building to project staff on an ongoing basis on project  administration and implementation. 
• Responsible for gaining comprehensive knowledge of project’s Field  Operations Manual (FOM) and for identifying areas where policies,  procedures and/or practices may not be fully aligned with project  practice and advising project management with options and   recommendations

• Responsible for coordinating documentation requirements with various  departments, i.e. procurement, grants, logistics, Human Resources,  Inventory Management, Technical/Delivery and other areas 
• Ensures that accounting policies and practices are carried out in  accordance with GAAP standards; project internal controls are  established and implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID  rules/regulations and the terms of the contract. 

Financial Reporting 

• Develops and maintains reports of status of financial management  activities (i.e. monthly and quarterly reporting) 
• Responsible for ensuring project assets/inventory report is balanced  against the general ledger/FAS prior to submission to USAID. • Monitors and submits advance, commitment, and grant reports as  applicable 
• Develops and submits other project reports necessary and based on  registration requirements to local authorities 
• Oversees the reporting of expenses by regional offices 
• Monitors and reports on partner/vendor payment schedules and  obligations 

Audit 

• Manages preparation of internal and external audits 
• Supports responses and actions to internal audit comments • Conducts reviews of backup documentation to ensure completeness,  accuracy, and full compliance with all regulations and the Field  Operations Manual (FOM) 
• Performs regular spot audits on project’s files.

• Ensures adequate backup documentation is uploaded to relevant system  according to set deadlines 

General Accounting/Financial Management 

• Reviews wire requests for field project implementation 
• Conducts regular cash flow analyses to ensure availability of funds and the  accurate maintaining of bank balances 
• Responsible for accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and  reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments 
• Responsible for ensuring petty cash is maintained at a feasible level for  operational activities and that petty cash procedures are followed • Ensures proper segregation of duties within the Finance/Accounting  Department 
• Manages banking relationships and coordinates periodic updates for  checking account signers 
• Reviews and approves bank reconciliations performed by the field  accountant 
• Prepares and reviews project cost data prior to submitting Oracle data reports  to DAI Washington 
• Maintains file management systems for soft and hard copy documentation • Establishes guidelines for maintaining sub-grant and other partnership files  and activities as applicable 
• Maintains files on grant/procurement/subcontractor documents and  modifications as applicable 
• Directs the schedule of financial activities to ensure the timely preparation of  budget related reports 
• Ensures that foreign taxes paid, if any, are tracked, recorded, and reported to  USAID in accordance with ADS guidelines 
• Ensures the timely and accurate processing and review of all payroll  transactions, assuring compliance with established employment agreements  and modifications. 
• Oversee and Monitor use of field accounting system (FAS), cloud software  for backup documentation, DAI’s project management system (TAMIS), etc. • Communicates with home office system support teams on system or  operations troubleshooting technical issues 
• Trains finance staff in any financial system knowledge gap 
• Ensures that voucher files are scanned and uploaded to DAI’s System for the  Electronic Archival of Financial Documentation.

Qualifications:  

• At least 10 years of professional experience, including progressively  responsible experience in finance and administration. 
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in related field of study. Advanced degree  preferred. 
• Experience supervising staff preferred. 
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound  technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational  focus. 
• Experience with enterprise accounting software, and Microsoft office suite • Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes (e.g.  procurement, local subcontract agreements, etc.) 
• Experience leading and managing the financial aspects of USAID projects,  including a demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related USG  contracting regulations preferred. Similar experience with international  donor-funded projects a plus. 
• Experience and familiarity with DAI systems and procedures preferred. • Oral and written fluency in English. French and Arabic experience preferred.