Finance Director, USAID West Africa Regional Food Fortification (RFF) Activity

Job Details

Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
TechnoServe
Posted today
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Full Job Description

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Overview

RFF is a proposed five-year associate award, under the global USAID Advancing Food Fortification Opportunities to Reinforce Diets (), Leader with Associates program. RFF will facilitate advocacy for a policy environment that stimulates the uptake of improved large scale food fortification (LSFF) technologies and best practices, and will work with key regional players to build private sector commitment for LSFF.

The activity will implement solutions including:

  • Increasing private sector engagement, trade and investment in regional food fortification
  • Improving existing and new policy frameworks to improve access to fortification
  • Strengthen the knowledge sharing, coordination and adoption of best practices among key actors in the ECOWAS region
  • Position Overview

    TechnoServe seeks a highly qualified Finance Director to ensure efficient operations and compliance of the project. S/he will be responsible for overall management of finance and procurement as well as compliance with USAID regulations, policies, and local law. The Finance Director will be responsible for ensuring efficient operations of program operations, including finance, procurement and personnel, compliance, policies, and procedures.

    The position will be based in Accra, Ghana.

    Primary Functions & Responsibilities

    The Finance Director is a key member of the program management team and provides fiscal, procurement and human resource leadership for project activities ensuring the effective use of donor resources to meet project goals. The Director is responsible for developing and leading the following key functions for the program: 1) Finance and accounting, 2) Budgeting, monitoring and reporting, 3) Procurement, 4) Financial management of sub-grantees, 5) Audit, legal and compliance with donor and other regulatory authorities’ requirements.

    Finance & Accounting

  • Ensures that financial functions support the timely and effective implementation of the program’s technical scope of work
  • Oversee day-to-day financial management, including but not limited to timely payments to suppliers, timely posting of financial transactions in the system, proper coding of expenses by program staff, proper supporting documents that comply with all audit requirements
  • Ensures that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures.
  • Oversee the review of financial reports of sub-grantees, whenever applicable, and ensure that expenditures are in line with the budget and in compliance with donor regulations
  • Effectively communicate and present critical Finance matters to the TechnoServe Country/Regional Finance Manager and the Chief of Party (COP)
  • Budgeting, monitoring and reporting

  • Ensure that all budgets and expenses are carried out according to USAID and TechnoServe’s policies and regulations
  • Create and conduct monthly budget tracking reports for the COP and ensure spending is within budget and corrective action taken in case of unfavorable variances
  • Develop financial reports for USAID (e.g. quarterly SF425, accruals)
  • Manage the annual budget forecasting and midyear budget process for the program.
  • Provide information to the Country Finance Manager and regional operations team regarding burn rates and projected expenditure for budget and cash flow planning
  • Support sub-grant budget monitoring and review and inclusion of data into finance reporting
  • Track cost share contributions
  • Procurement

  • Ensure that all program procurement activities are carried out according to USAID and TechnoServe’s policies and regulations
  • Review and ensure quality on procurement processes
  • Regularly train program staff on procurement policies and procedures
  • Create and manage control system to ensure quality of processes and filing
  • Audit, legal and compliance with donor and other regulatory authorities’ requirements

  • Be the point person for the program on the rules and regulations of the donor agreement, including ensuring that the program and finance teams are properly trained on donor requirements and contractual terms
  • Work with the Regional Finance Manager and the Country Director to proactively minimize financial and legal risk to the organization
  • Works with the Regional Contracts team to ensure proper compliance in the management of sub-awards and sub-contracts issued by TechnoServe
  • Provide support in all aspects of financial management for sub-grantees and monitor agreements to ensure compliance with Donor financial regulations and guidelines
  • Provide guidance to local and subcontractor staff on compliance agreements and procurement standards/requirements
  • In liaison with the Country Finance Manager and the Country Operations Director to coordinate and lead all forms of Audits and prepare responses to audit findings.
  • Lead the implementation of Audit findings and sensitize staff on new processes and internal controls designed to implement the Audit recommendations.
  • Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent
  • 10+ years of relevant administration, finance, and compliance experience, especially with USAID programs
  • Progressive responsibility in finance and accounting, office administration, project operations at the mid-level of an organization
  • At least 5 years of experience working on USAID projects as finance or compliance lead
  • Experience leading and managing the financial aspects of USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related USG contracting regulations
  • Comfortability and accuracy working with large amounts of data
  • Experience supervising staff and teams
  • Verbal and written fluency in English, with preferred proficiency in French as well.
  • Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree MBA, CPA or equivalent preferred
  • Required Languages

  • Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required.
  • Proficiency in French preferred.
  • Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Detail orientation, including strong organizational, analytical, and quantitative skills.
  • Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other administrative applications.
  • Experience implementing and leading USAID-funded projects
  • Strong private sector market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
  • Supervisory Responsibilities 

  • Supervise at least 3 mid- and senior-level staff. Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams desired.
  • This position is contingent upon the activity award and approval by the donor.

    We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

    With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

    We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

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