Finance and Administration Associate

Job Description

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Program Delivery (PDEL) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Delivery Team, contributes to realizing this purpose by: Forging smart partnerships and treating all people with dignity and respect; Applying organizational policies and regulatory compliance appropriately and consistently; Facilitating team spirit among colleagues and promoting the organization through communications; Influencing decision makers through focused, relevant communications; Continually striving to learn and share knowledge and find small ways to make the workplace more enjoyable for all; Cultivating and harvesting innovation; Contributing to the organization’s ability to think and act strategically at all times; Inspiring and spreading our desired organizational culture across the global enterprise.

Position Overview

Pact is recruiting for a Finance & Administration Associate for the USAID/ Colombia-funded Venezuelan Migrant Human Rights Activity, Conectando Caminos por los Derechos (CCD). The purpose of the Activity is to improve citizen security and community cohesion in migrant receptor communities, with focus on supporting a transition from short-term humanitarian assistance for migrants to long-term development assistance for migrants, Colombian returnees, and receptor communities. To achieve its goals, the Activity works through four inter-related objectives: 1) prevention of human rights violations, 2) strengthening of human rights protection systems, 3) responding to human rights violations, and 4) rapidly responding to changing human rights circumstances and needs in the context of migration flows and unexpected shocks, such as COVID-19.

Conectando Caminos por los Derechos focuses on strengthening local systems, processes, and the capacity of the Government of Colombia (GOC) and non-state actors, such as those in civil society, academia, the media, and the private sector. The Activity prioritizes certain human rights violations, including sexual exploitation, forced recruitment, human trafficking, forced disappearance, gender-based violence (GBV), as well as labor rights, which are of particular importance to migrants in Colombia.

Reporting to the Operations & Grants Manager (O&GM), the Finance & Administration Associate will be responsible to assist CCD finance and administration functions and ensure timely and seamless support functions that meet the program implementation needs in compliance with Pact’s and donor rules and regulations, as outlined below.

The position will work closely with the Program Team to ensure compliance with the annual implementation plan. S/he will work closely with Pact’s Finance Team as well as implementing partners, the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), Internews, and Freedom House, to ensure that data feeds into internal review and reflection processes.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Assist and support the Program on financial matters by ensuring that staff members are aware of, understand and are able to correctly apply financial and administrative procedures.
• Assist and support the subawards records in the accounting system by ensuring accuracy of the local grants financial reports.
• Assist and support the local accounting staff to apply local financial, accounting and fiscal regulations.
• Maintain imprest accounts, payments, petty cash, claims and other financial function systems in line with established operational procedures.
• Assist Program treasury management and manage cash reconciliations, cash advances, the archiving system any other related task on a daily basis.
• Serve as liaison with Pact’s country Finance team on financial matters pertaining to the Program.
• Secure the consistency and integrity of the imprest accounts, their accuracy and their timely delivery.
• Support Grants and Contracts Specialists on Program financial and accounting issues.
• Other responsibilities, as assigned.

Administrative Support

• Provide logistical support and arrangements for Program events including travel requests processing.
• Undertake routine administrative and procurement tasks.
• Identify goods and/or services and technically define them for procurement as required for efficient Program implementation.
• Contribute to guarantee adequate finance and administration activities and operations.
• Other responsibilities, as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as: accounting, business administration, industrial engineering, social sciences, international development or economics.
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in financial and administrative roles.
• Task and detail-oriented, with the ability to work independently and within a team to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change.
• Excellent communication skills, client oriented and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in Spanish; Professional-level English language skills (written and oral).

Preferred Qualifications

• Colombian national strongly preferred.
• Professional accounting/audit certification, or specialized training/course in finance or other related fields is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of United States government donor policies, procedures, and processes related to assistance and acquisitions.
• Experience with development projects is highly desirable.
• Pact is committed to achieving gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

About the Organization

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. Now more than ever in its 42-year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.
Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.