Project Accountant at USAID

USAID is seeking applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the position of Project Accountant

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

• The position is located in the Budget and Accounting Division, Regional Office of Financial Management (ROFM), USAID Mission to West Africa and its clients.
• The primary purpose of this position is to serve as one of the primary Professional Accountants in the Regional FMO with the full responsibility for performing or overseeing all financial related activities including reconciliations, accounts analysis, developing quarterly accruals and conducting the mandatory Sec. 1311 annual review for the four bi-lateral Mission programs implemented throughout over 10 separate countries in West Africa.
• The financial oversight includes all acquisition and assistance instruments, other project and nonprojected activities, and administrative support functions carried out between the U.S. Government, Host Country Governments, International Organizations, Institutional Contractors and Grantees, and U.S. Embassies in the West African Region. As a USAID employee, the incumbent carries responsibility to understand and incorporate the Agency\’s five core values in all aspects of his/her work.

These core values are:

1) customer focus

2) results orientation

3) empowerment and accountability

4) Teamwork and participation

5) valuing diversity

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

1. Assumes overall responsibility for the Administrative Operations for the Bi-lateral Missions which are included within his/her portfolio. This includes providing advice and support to USAID Executive Officers, U.S. Embassy Administrative Officers, and Bi-lateral Mission Directors on the most efficient and effective use of combined Program and Operating Expense funds to support the Bi-Lateral Mission administrative operations. Acts as the primary liaison and drafter of the Bi-lateral Missions Financial and Personnel Annual Report requirements.

2. Prepares financial and management reports and liaises with various Clients (Missions, Embassies, Management Offices, Host-Country Governments, International Organizations and a broad range of Development Objective Teams. Develops internal ad hoc financial reports that are required by Clients to efficiently manage their projects. Meets with the various Clients to discuss their financial reporting needs, analyze the information needed, and then prepare tailored financial reports. To ensure management continues to receive the most appropriate financial reports, attends various meetings discussing information needs, and follows up with the technical staff and Mission management to ensure those needs are met.

3. Establishes the accounts for USAID unilateral and bilateral projects/programs, grants, and centrally funded projects. The incumbent oversees the clearance process for the daily transaction documents. This process requires determining funds availability, and ensuring the documents are complete and valid transactions. As a pre-requisite to this process, the incumbent ensures that the budget allowances are established and received from USAID/Washington, D.C., and verifies that the Congressional/Technical notification requirements have been met. If these requirements have not been met, the incumbent ensures that a conditional clearance on the commitment/obligation documents (e.g. bilateral project agreements, unilateral grants, limited scope grant agreements, DOAGS, etc.) to determine the consistency and reasonableness of the budgets presented in their financial tables, and to ensure that adequate controls over the projects’ resources are provided for in the financial descriptions annexed to the obligation documents.

4. Has primary oversight to review and ensure that the financial information database in Phoenix for
processed obligations, commitment documents, and IPACS reconciles to the financial information
recorded in Phoenix against the information in the transaction documents and the logbook; and analyzes
incoming IPACS and charges by other Federal Government Agencies for the projects to ensure the
propriety of the charges contained therein.
5. Establishes and maintains the working procedures and systems required to administer the comprehensive computerized accounting system which provides effective financial control over all USAID Bi-Lateral funds. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for the following: works closely with the program specialists in formulating quarterly accruals; and reviewing and evaluating the internal accounting operations and controls for each project. Verifies that appropriate accounting procedures are followed, that USAID regulations are complied with, and that financial reporting requirements are adhered to.

Requirement

• Education: A University degree in Business Economics, Business Management, Accounting or any field in the
  Social Sciences with a major in accounting is required
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, budgeting, reporting and
  general financial management. One to two years of experience should have been in the application of fund and
  allotment accounting.
• Language Proficiency: Level 4 English ability (fluent) is required. Skill in writing English is particularly
  important
• A demonstrated experience in accounting, budgeting, reporting and general financial management. Experience
  in reviews of internal controls, funds control and availability.
• The incumbent must also have experience in verifying the accuracy of financial data and appropriateness of documentation present to support accounting entries and to support fulfillment of conditions precedent to disbursement.
• Demonstrated thorough knowledge of standard accounting practices, laws, regulations, and procedures associated with financial management.
• The incumbent must have knowledge in Financial Management; a history of success in one or more of the position’s responsibilities: Supervision of the development of support cost budget, execution, and reporting.

Skills and Abilities 

• Must possess a high level of analytical skills. Must have the ability to apply sound independent judgment in the solution of financial problems.
• Ability to perform sophisticated analysis of management controls and capabilities of partner/beneficiary organizations.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all staff levels.
• The incumbent must have excellent computer skills in the use of word processing system, Excel, and other MS Office Applications as well as skilled in the use of computer based analytical programs.

How To Apply

• Offers must include a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) professional references with telephone and e-mail contacts, who are not family members or relatives.
• The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. At least one reference provided should be a current or former supervisor.
• Offerors must attach a two-page supplementary document with written responses to the Evaluation Factors listed under Section III.
• Submit relevant educational certificate(s) and work permit or residency permit.
• Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number(SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062422R100009) on all offeror submitted documents

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