Financial Analyst

Job Description

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Capacity Reviews, Assessments, and Audits (35%)

   • Assesses prospective recipients’ administrative and institutional abilities to implement programs/activities.
   • Determines appropriateness and effectiveness of prospective recipients’ operational procedures and cash management practices.
   • 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 an organization’s weaknesses.
   • Performs site visits and financial reviews 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.
   • Writes field trip reports to detail findings and recommendations. Follows-up on the implementation of recommendations.
   • Participates as a member of the missions’ Government-to-Government Assistance Teams (GAT) and conducts assessments on host government entities and ministries in accordance with USAID’s Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework. Assists in the development of government risk mitigation plans and monitors implementation of the plans.
   • Participates in the Audit Management Program for the missions and coordinates with the Audit Management Officer (AMO) in accordance with USAID guidance and the GAO Yellow Book. Coordinates follow-up on audit recommendations and may serve as the audit liaison for ongoing audits.
   • Monitors reporting and coordinates with auditors to clear audit recommendations. Conducts foreign audit environment appraisals and audit firm assessments.

2. Program Funds Management/Monitoring/Financial Analysis (30%)

   • Performs financial analyses in collaboration with the technical teams and makes recommendations on utilization of activity funds and managing pipelines.
   • Prepares and/or reviews financial sections of Modified Acquisition and Assistance Documents (MAARD), contracts, implementation letters, grants, cooperative agreements, and other activity documents.
   • Performs funds control and funds availability functions. Verifies accuracy of financial accounting data and appropriateness of documentation presented to support accounting entries.
   • Identifies and recommends adjusting entries to the accounts to bring the activity/program pipelines to accurate levels.
   • Reviews program activity vouchers, to include advance requests and liquidations, and makes appropriate recommendations to OFM’s payment section.
   • Prepares and leads the quarterly financial review (QFR) to review pipelines, obligations, and procurement plans.
   • Participates in the Mission’s semi-annual technical teams’ performance reviews by providing relevant financial information and responding to inquiries on funds disposition.
   • Performs a detailed 1311 review prepared by the technical teams on a quarterly basis (or more often if necessary) in order to validate obligations, earmarks, and commitment balances and assists in the Mission’s 1311 certification.
   • Assists the technical teams in performing financial close-out of agreements; prepares appropriate accounting documents such as journal vouchers to adjust accounting data as necessary.
   • Collaborates with the technical teams to prepare and monitor the Program Support and Objective 6 budgets.

3. Internal and External Financial Management Capacity Building (25%)

   • Provides technical guidance and capacity building on FM procedures, accounting control requirements, and local accounts financing to the technical teams and partners (host country officials, recipients, partners, USAID staff) in accordance with local laws, USAID and USG regulations, and best practices.
   • Conducts Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCAs) with local implementers to help organizations shape and set priorities for actions it can take to strengthen its capacity.
   • Makes recommendations on how best to incorporate capacity development activities with partners.
   • With other Business Advisory Team members, develops and leads Capacity Building Workshops throughout the region for implementing partners to improve their financial and awards management acumen.
   • Works closely with mission staff to train and advise on financial management topics, requirements, and regulations.

4. Strategy Development/Activity Design & Management Control Program (10%)

   • Advises in the development of the strategic objective and results framework by preparing and/or reviewing financial sections of activity and agreement budgets.
   • Advises the technical teams on how to develop the independent government cost estimate (IGCE) for activities.
   • Provides the technical team pipeline reviews for obligations and serves as the Program Manager in the Agency’s procurement system.
   • Participates in activity design teams and serves on technical review panels for new proposals to provide financial management technical expertise.
   • Advises contracting and agreement officers on advances, payment options, and award types based on their organizational analysis.
   • Participates in post-award meetings to explain the financial management aspects of the award.
   • Reviews the financial sections of work plans and provides input to expenditure plans and budgets.
   • Serves on the GAT teams and assists in milestone development, reviews activity budget estimates, and incorporates the Stage 2 risk management plan into the activity design.
   • Assists the technical teams to conduct their annual Internal Control Assessment in accordance with the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) of 1982 by:
     1. advising on the control environment and how to assess risk;
     2. performing testing of controls if deemed necessary; and,
     3. developing or improving control systems in order to address identified weaknesses.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
a. Education: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, or Accounting is required.
b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible financial experience in financial analysis, budgeting, auditing, and/or accounting is required.
c. Post Entry Training: On-the-job training is provided on the USAID accounting and procurement systems, financial management, operating and control procedures. Attendance at USAID-sponsored workshops and training sessions on accounting, financial analysis, auditing, and procurement management is encouraged, pending funds availability.
d. Language Proficiency: Level IV in English and French is required.
e. Job Knowledge: A thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, as well as the principles and accepted practices of governmental and business financial accounting, budgeting, and reporting is required. A thorough knowledge of, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge of, the Federal Acquisition Regulations, AID Acquisition Regulations, USAID accounting systems and procedures, USG contract/grant cost principles and administrative requirements, and audit management procedures, as well as other laws, regulations, and procedures associated with USAID financial management, is required. An understanding of, or the ability to quickly develop an understanding of, how USAID projects are designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated is essential.
f. Skills and Abilities: The Financial Analyst must be able to make informed recommendations on institutional capabilities of prospective and/or current implementing organizations, and the adequacy of accounting systems and controls; be able to develop and maintain contacts with USAID activity managers at client Missions in order to ensure

CLOSING DATE & TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 31, 2024 – 11:59 pm