Lead Project Finance Analyst, VectorLink

Job Description

Opportunity

Abt Associates seeks a qualified Lead Project Finance Analyst to support the VectorLink team at our office in Rockville, MD. Under the direction of the Senior Finance Manager and alongside the home office project team, the Lead Project Finance Analyst supports the management of the financial and contractual elements of the USAID-funded PMI VectorLink project in collaboration with other departments/functional support areas including Contracts and Procurement, HR, and corporate/division finance. This position requires strong communication skills with respect to breaking down and explaining financial risks/implications of project management decisions.

The USAID-funded PMI VectorLink Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), as well as USAID Missions and Bureaus with malaria programs outside the PMI focus countries, in planning and implementing integrated vector control programs and entomological monitoring with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria in Africa by enhancing USAID’s ability to implement IRS programs on the ground through cost-effective commodities procurement and logistics systems, access to technical expertise, and implementation of IRS in countries affected by malaria.

This position requires significant interaction and coordination between field staff, home office technical staff and home office support departments, excellent communication and leadership skills, and problem solving abilities. The role requires an understanding of field office challenges and project goals and objectives, a strong desire to analyze, investigate, and resolve issues, ability to collaborate and lead through others, and a focus on continuous improvement.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Portfolio Manager to build appropriate work breakdown structure to comply with client requirements and allow for accurate time charging and financial projections
• Develop budgets for project teams that align to contractual requirements, proposal and project WBS; Work with Portfolio Manager and Senior Financial Manager to adjust as appropriate
• Review, validate and report project actual costs incurred for labor, expense and travel
• Document and submit information in support of accruals for work performed but not yet invoiced in accordance with company policies
• Work with Project Team to collect bottom up financial forecasts/Estimate to complete and enter into Project Financial Management Tool
• Review trends to assess accuracy of the financial forecast and work with project team to remediate any issues
• Responsible for accuracy in financial reporting for cost, revenue and profitability internally to the division and finance department, as well as externally to the client(s) in accordance with contractual obligations
• Conduct financial risk analysis considering contract type, subcontracts/materials, staffing, and other measures as appropriate. Report financial risks to the business up to Portfolio Manager, Senior Financial Manager, Operations Directors and Program Finance
• Comply with company, client, local and other legal requirements and regulations
• Track the progress of activities with financial implications such as milestones with progress payments or ties to fee
• Prepare and manage project specific deliverables related to financial or contractual requirements (such as invoicing, supporting back-up data, limitation of funds communications, etc.)
• Responsible for accuracy of financial reporting to client and Division
• Initiate purchase requisitions in Oracle in support of project services and material purchase needs
• Work with procurement team to review vendor and consultant agreements to validate funding and contract type are appropriate based on prime contract including subcontracts and materials purchases

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Familiarity with Federal and USAID Acquisition Regulations (FARs and AIDARs)
• Extensive knowledge of Excel spreadsheet programs
• Strong analytical and computer skills, ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently, and familiarity with Internet resources
• Excellent inter-personal, communication and organizational skills
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Good management and planning skills of project tasks
• French language speaking skills required

Minimum Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience and BA degree (in finance or economics) or the equivalent combination of education and experience

About the Organization

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1965, Abt Associates was built on the concept that sound information and empirical analysis are the best foundations for effective decision making. The firm blends the subject matter expertise of our staff with technical capabilities in applied research, program implementation, and data collection to shape policy, strengthen systems, measure performance, and deliver other solutions to our public and private sector clients. Examples of Abt Associates’ work include nationally recognized research, evaluation, and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, the effectiveness of government housing programs, the production of food, and the measurement of public opinion. Abt’s staff of more than 2000 includes national and international experts who are known for their understanding of communities and governments worldwide, innovative research techniques, and insightful—and often groundbreaking—analyses and recommendations. Approximately 51 percent of our staff has graduate degrees; one in six has a doctorate. Our staff’s educational and professional disciplines include economics, engineering, environmental analysis, epidemiology, food security, health, housing, international development, psychology, social science, statistics, and survey methodology. Abt’s research staff is experienced with prominent statistical software packages, including SPSS, SAS, and STATA, along with qualitative software such as NVIVO and Atlas. In 2011, Abt Associates was ranked among the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 development innovators. Abt has offices in Atlanta, Ga.; Rockville, Md.; Cambridge, Mass.; Chicago, Ill.; Durham, N.C.; and New York City and program offices in nearly 40 countries in Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. www.abtassociates.com