Operations and Finance Director

Job Description

Job Description

About CNFA

CNFA is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. We work with businesses, foundations, governments, and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food. Since our inception in 1985, we have designed and implemented enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and financing in 47 countries around the world.

Program Description

CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for a Finance and Operations Director position to support a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Rwanda. The Project aims to strengthen the capacities of public and private stakeholders in Rwanda to develop, enforce, and adopt international science-based food safety standards. To achieve this goal, the Project will implement interventions across three key components: 1) Strengthening Food Safety Frameworks and Government Institutions; 2) Enhanced Laboratory Technical Capacity in Testing, Inspection, and Certification; 3) Increased Food Safety Awareness and Capacity Building of Producers.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief of Party (COP), the Finance and Operations Director will oversee and support the day-to-day management of financial and operational processes, including accounts management, financial reporting, grants management, and budget forecasting. S/he will ensure all accounting, budgeting, and financial operations are carried out in a manner consistent with the objectives of the activity and in compliance with law, USDA regulations and CNFA policies, rules, and practices.

Position Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide overall financial and administrative oversight to the project. 
• Oversee all aspects of program financial management and operations, including financial and accounting systems implementation, bookkeeping; bank accounts; forecasting; budgeting; cash flow; procurement; expenditure tracking; and financial reporting.
• Supervise and support project staff, including grants and compliance, finance, and procurement staff.
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets. 
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports in coordination with senior project staff. 
• Ensure project operations are in compliance with USDA requirements and CNFA policies and procedures.
• Create, maintain, and implement financial reporting, tracking systems, and controlling procedures.
• Conduct financial analysis to inform decision-making and improve financial performance.
• Oversee processing of approvals for procurements, consultant agreements, and vendor invoices. 
• Support the development, execution, and management of subcontractor and consultant agreements.
• Review all payment documentation, verify information prior to approval and signature of the COP and payment processing.
• Ensure that all required documents are accurate and updated and compliant with the up-to-date local regulations and laws governing taxes, contracts, administration, and accounting.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Manage grants funds, ensuring proper allocation and tracking of expenditures.
• Perform other duties as required.

Job Requirements

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related field required, master’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum of (10) years of working experience including managing financial and contractual aspects of large international development projects, preferably US Government-funded projects, with a minimum of five (5) years managing and supervising financial, administration and procurement staff required. 
• Experience in the application of competitive procurement processes, especially regarding consultants and service providers, is required.
• Experience managing grants, or providing administrative oversight of grants, is required.
• Solid knowledge and familiarity with US Government Cost Accounting Standards, and a good knowledge of Federal rules and regulations. USDA experience preferred.
• Oral and written fluency in English is required. 

CNFA IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of CNFA to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, veteran status, or on the basis of personal favoritism or other non-merit factors, except where otherwise provided by law.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION & CONTACT INFORMATION CNFA provides a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact the CNFA Home Office Human Resources Department via email at accomodation@cnfa.org or via phone at 202-296-3920 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job with us.

Applications will be received until this position is filled

About the Organization

About CNFA:

CNFA is a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to stimulating economic growth in the agricultural sector by nurturing entrepreneurship, private enterprise and market linkages. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investments in training, new technologies and marketing as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, to expand exports, and to develop skills in the rural workforce. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and strengthened linkages to markets.