Budget and Finance Specialist

Project Overview:

IFES was recently awarded a three-year contract with USAID/Afghanistan named STEP (Support to the Electoral Process in Afghanistan), tasked to provide support to the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC).   As a part of the STEP program, IFES will be working on providing support for long term capacity building of the IEC in various areas of operations.

Responsibilities:

The Budget and Finance Specialist will assist the IEC in reforming the current policies and procedures to adhere to a more transparent, efficient and legal framework of Afghanistan.

• Work with the IEC to coordinate and manage the budget and the implementation of the IEC permanent financial functions and election projects;
• Advise and support the Head of Administration on all aspects of administration and finance, particularly budgetary matters;
• Work with the procurement department of the IEC and put in place proper communication channels with the finance department to account for all assets purchases, etc.;
• Develop a Balance Sheet for the IEC to be updated on a regular basis in accordance to Afghan Law and to be consistent with the Ministry of Finance requirements;
• Provide advice on all issues pertaining to the recruitment and selection of national staff for the IEC throughout Afghanistan;
• Develop training schedules and material for the finance and administration officers within the IEC to build up their Financial & Administrative skills;
• Initiate and develop appropriate financial systems within the IEC in order to contribute to rapid capacity building;
• Take active part in the interaction with the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Service Commission, for preparations and agreement on the inclusion of the IEC budget and salary scales into the national budget;
• Advise and support finance staff in IEC Provincial Offices;
• Perform such other related duties as may be assigned by IEC management and/or Chief of Party.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance;
• 10+ years of relevant work experience;
• Experience working within an international environment and managing international programs is preferred;
• General project management skills, including project reporting;
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills;
• Previous experience in a post-conflict environment preferred;
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in the democracy and governance field with a specific emphasis on finance and budgets;
• Ability to manage and develop local relationships; and
• Experience in training and developing junior staff.

Other Skill Sets and Attributes:

• Capacity to work well with minimal supervision;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated initiative and problem solving skill and results delivery;
• Ability to meet deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal/representational skills;
• Professional, collaborative management approach with the ability to work as a member of a team;
• Fluency in the Dari language is preferred.