STATEMENT OF DUTIES
USAID/Jordan has an immediate vacancy for a Financial Analyst position at the Financial Management Office. The work schedule is 40 hours per week and the workweek is Sunday-Thursday. USAID/Jordan may select more than one candidate through this solicitation.
This Financial Analyst (FA) position is in the Financial Management Office (FMO) and is one of four Financial Analysts, under the supervision of the Chief Financial Analyst.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a full member of one or more Development Objective Teams (DOTs) and provide expert financial and audit management advisory and evaluation services for programs managed by the assigned DOTs. As such, the incumbent performs analysis (or oversees the performance of theses analysis by outside consultants) to determine that financial feasibility is demonstrable; potential financial problems are identified and addressed; funding levels are adequate for accomplishing project results; all budgetary requirements have been identified and provided for; estimated management monitoring have been provided for; proposals are within the capabilities of prospective Implementing Partners (IPs); and where applicable, IP’s management of previous projects has been adequate. Analysis involves on-site reviews to assure that proper accounting and internal control procedures are being followed; controls are adequate to ensure appropriate utilization of USAID funding and resource flows are consistent with project/activity progress.
The incumbent is also responsible for assisting in building managerial capacity of implementing agencies of the Government of Jordan (GOJ), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other awardees through the performance of assessments and reviews.
The incumbent also executes reviews of mission management controls and monitors mission compliance with USAID policy and USG regulatory requirements.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management Support of Programs
The FA conducts the full range of analysis, reviews, and assessments to ensure compliance with activity’s
adequate forward funding requirements. Also, the incumbent recommends the most suitable financial and implementation methods for the optimum achievement of program results while ensuring financial accountability. The FA acts as a primary liaison between the USAID FMO Office and DO team members, Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representatives (CORs/AORs) and Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATRs), on all matters of mutual concern.
The FA reviews Development Objective Agreements (DOAGs), grants, Implementation Letters (ILs) and other project/activity implementation documents such as Host Country Contracts, to ensure their consistency with general activity design. Reviews financial transactions in Phoenix and in GLAAS. The FA reviews the financial section of the Project Approval Document (PAD) design document and assists the technical offices in preparing detailed illustrative budgets that represent the U.S. Government cost estimate for all acquisition and assistance procurement transactions.
Prepares and leads the quarterly financial review to review pipelines, obligations, and procurement plans. Closely coordinates with AORs/CORs/GATRs and IPs in problem identification and resolution, ensuring that obligated funds and planned incremental funding actions are adequate for accomplishing project results and are in full compliance with the Agency’s forward funding guidelines. This task involves complex pipeline analysis that tracks utilization of funds, starting with budget allocations, funding levels, mortgage and planned-vs-actual expenditure analysis.
Participates in the Mission’s semi-annual portfolio reviews by providing relevant financial information and responding to inquiries on funds disposition. Assists the technical teams in performing financial close-out of agreements. Collaborates with the technical teams to prepare and monitor the Program Support. The FA provides guidance to CORs/AORs/GATRs in preparing and completing the de-obligation/re-obligation processes, and planned expenditures, and ensures that financial and accounting concerns are adequately addressed, and that they are in conformity with USAID and Mission policies and regulations.
Leads the 1311 review of all program funded expired obligations to determine whether unexpended obligated funds are still required in accordance with Agency requirements to ensure the validity of all obligations and commitments. Facilitates the de-obligation of funds no longer considered valid, properly documents all decisions, in writing and orally, with affected IPs, Mission and AID/Headquarter staff to make this determination.
In close coordination with designated AOR/CORs/GATRs, monitors the financial performance of IPs, including verifying the IP justification for program funded advances, and coordinating with Voucher Examiners on requests and execution of exceptions to the Agency’s advance policy.
As needed, develops materials and presents financial best practices and USG regulations to new IPs during formal and informal training situations. Provides capacity strengthening and support to prospective IPs, as they seek to become efficient and self-sustainable IPs. This includes closely working with the IPs senior management and its financial and administrative staff.
Assessments and Financial Reviews
The incumbent assesses prospective recipients’ administrative and institutional abilities to implement programs/activities. Determines appropriateness and effectiveness of prospective recipients’ operational procedures evaluates their financial, accounting, internal control, and contracting capabilities, as well as their ability to adequately safeguard U.S. assets.
Uses professional judgment to provide an opinion on the confidence to be placed on the recipients’ internal controls and offers advice to recipients on weaknesses and possible solutions to identified problems. For significant deficiencies, collaborates with the Contracting or Agreement Officer to develop Special Award Conditions to address identified organization’s weaknesses. Coordinates the follow-up resolution and final closure of any assessment findings and maintains a status report to monitor open findings and recommendations.
The FA conducts complex assessments of USAID partner government institutions, in accordance with USAID’s Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework, as part of the mission’s Government-to-Government programs and conducts assessments of host government entities’ contracting systems and processes. The FA acts as a team lead for the assessment coordinating work of other mission team members as well as GOJ counterparts. The FA 1s responsible for writing a comprehensive report outlining the findings and recommendations of the assessment. Assists in the development of GOJ IPs government risk mitigation plans and monitors implementation of the plans.
Conducts financial reviews and performs site visits to monitor the financial and accounting performance of recipients and assures that implementation plans and procedures are being applied and that appropriate corrective measures are taken in a timely manner. Follow-up on the implementation of recommendations.
Drafts statements of work for outsourced assessments, reviews, capacity development or other services for the benefit of IPs or the GOJ. The FA occasionally serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the assessments that are procured by the Mission.
Audit Management and Control
The FA supports the annual Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) review of management controls, as well as the Enterprise Risk Management review. The incumbent evaluates USAID/Jordan administrative and operating procedures as requested and makes recommendations/implements solutions to improve administrative systems and controls. The incumbent will perform testing of controls if deemed necessary. The job holder assists in the monitoring and implementation of recommendations resulting from such evaluations as approved by the Controller. The incumbent periodically reports to the Management
Councils on Risk and Internal Controls (MCRIC) on actions taken and/or identified internal control weaknesses that remain open. The FA occasionally serves as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the audit management programs that are procured by the Mission.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Applications will be initially screened for eligibility in accordance with the qualification criteria below.
Applicants must address each criterion in their application to meet the below minimum qualifications for this position.
a. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following fields: accounting, finance, business administration or banking is required. Supporting documentation (i.e., a_copy_of Community College Diploma, University Degree must be included in the application for eligibility purposes).
b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in professional financial analysis, auditing, budgeting, and/or accounting is required.
c. Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and Arabic proficiency for both oral and written communication is required. At Level IV, an employee is required to possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English, including the ability to translate the host country language into precise and correct English, and English into the applicable foreign language. On occasion, an employee at this level might be expected to act as an interpreter in situations where considerable importance attaches to proper word meaning. English proficiency will be tested. A minimum score of 785 on the TOEIC exam (Listening & Reading components only) is required. Examination scores must have been recorded within the last five years; or else, candidates will be tested again.
d. Skills and abilities: Must possess excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain contacts with high level officials of host country implementing institutions, USAID partners and Mission personnel. Must have demonstrated excellent ability to analyze financial data and assess its reliability and value, detect the financial strengths and weaknesses of projects and organizations, and to make independent judgments regarding the institutional capabilities and the adequacy of accounting systems and controls. Must be well organized and able to present facts and recommendations in a clear, concise manner, both orally and in writing. Must have demonstrated expert knowledge of MS Office application suite and Google (Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Presentations, etc.). Must have demonstrated the ability to work independently with only minimal guidance. Must have demonstrated creativity to proactively develop solutions to issues in a constantly changing environment. Must have demonstrated ability to communicate financial information succinctly and in understandable terms to non-financial audience.
DEADLINE: August 24, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Amman Local Time
