Job Description

The Finance and Administration Director will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. S/he will provide overall financial management and oversight for the project and will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP). This position will also be a liaison with the Home Office to ensure full compliance with regulations and policies with regard to implementation of effective internal controls.

The Finance Director will report to the COP and supervise a finance team of accountants.

• Establish and maintain financial management and accounting control systems for program expenditures;
• Ensure that the project meets all donor contractual requirements and complies with donor policies and regulations;
• Receive and account for all funds for the project (performing weekly and monthly cash checks).
• Liaise between Creative Associates' field and headquarters offices;
• Participate in ongoing analysis, forecasting and review of project expenses;
• Participate in budget planning and realignments as required;
• Track the transfer of funds between headquarters and the field office, and manage accounting and finance records of in-country expenses, including developing spreadsheet programs for tracking and monitoring all financial project activities, and maintaining spreadsheets with current project expense data;
• Provide Project Director/HQ updates on the status of fund requests and work with Finance and Contracts (F&C) in Washington, DC to ensure the timely transfer of funds;
• Submit wire transfer requests for field offices to F&C for processing;
• Process check requests and wire transfer requests for payments to vendors in compliance with contract requirements;
• Review and process invoices and in-field fee payments in accordance with Creative accounting procedures and contract policies;
• Work closely with field-based subcontractors to ensure budgets, projections, and invoices are completed according to Creative/USAID policies and procedures;
• Manage personnel and payroll office staff and procedures;
• Maintain project financial and contractual files;
• Develop financial procedures manual;
• Provide financial management and systems training for project staff;
• Maintain a database of accounting documents, in both electronic and hard copy;
• Consolidate accounting data into a monthly return to be forwarded to Headquarters in paper and electronic copies;
• Prepare the requisite financial documents and vouchers;
• Draft quarterly and annual financial reports on financial status of project expenses and budget information and forward to F&C for review and approval by the Controller;
• Coordinate with USAID regarding the management of U.S. dollars and local currencies;
• Ensure monthly field expense reports;
• Travel to field offices when necessary; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

M.S. degree in accounting or financial management desired; B.S. degree with at least eight (8) years of experience required; Previous financial management of a donor-funded project in Cote d’Ivoire; Public or private sector management, financial analysis, cost accounting and relevant experience preferably in developing countries; Demonstrated capacity to supervise a complex financial management or general ledger system; and Fluency in French and English.