Director of Finance at Pact World

Position Overview

• Pact seeks a Finance Director for the USAID-funded Strengthening Youth and Women’s Civic Participation Project. The Project aims to increase collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to advance the inclusion, participation and leadership of youth and women in Sudan. The activity will apply locally led, problem-driven, adaptive approaches. This program will be starting Y2 of an anticipated five-year activity, with a dramatic shift in the operating context since the program startup in Khartoum in October 2o22. This position will support Sudan programming from a program office in Nairobi, Kenya with regular travel in the East Africa region. 
• Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Finance Director is responsible for overall project financial operations. S/he has oversight of project finance and accounting functions; internal control systems and procedures; and forecasting and realigning project budgets. The Finance Director is responsible for training and mentoring staff on policies and procedures, donor regulations, new systems, and financial best practices, as well as working closely with the country office staff and DC personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management.  

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management 

• Manage all aspects of project, finance and accounting functions.
• Manage all project finances to ensure effective use of resources in order to achieve program objectives in compliance with all donor requirements.
• Lead project financial planning responsibilities, including ensuring alignment of the budget to expected results and ensuring cost-effective use of USAID’s and Pact’s resources.   
• Ensure funds expended are compliant with US government regulations and policies.
• Initiate, develop, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the finance and compliance program and its related activities. 
• Lead project efforts to support sub-recipients' in addressing challenges related to receiving project funds across the East Africa region, while mitigating risk, and coordinating closely with Pact DC's finance team accordingly.
• Promote cost efficiency and compliance with all rules and regulations, ensuring effective internal controls and minimizing risks for Pact.
• Identify potential areas of financial and compliance vulnerability and risk and develop or implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues.
• Implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award.
• Ensure proper financial documentation and reporting, establish and provide direction and management of project funds.
• Ensure financial monitoring systems provide timely and relevant reports to Pact staff, including analysis and tracking of grant commitments (i.e. cash advances), obligations, awards and liquidations, to support efficient accountable implementation.
• Analyze financial data with attention to the impact of adaptation on programming.
• Manage the budget, track project spending and prepare financial reports for submission to USAID.
• Mentor and supervise finance staff engaged in the activities noted here.
• Conduct training/orientation for other personnel as needed on efficient, effective financial and internal control systems, budget analysis, policy and procedure awareness, and compliance.
• Ensure that corrective action plans approved by the DC office in response to external or internal audits and other monitoring reviews are implemented as planned and scheduled.
• Ensure financial records organization, retention, and security.

Administrative/ Operational Management 

• Serve as a key representative to USAID to ensure that the activity conforms to the United States Government financial, procurement and auditing requirements.
• Act as a liaison to and ensure effective relationships with relevant donors, Sudanese, Kenyan and Ugandan Government Authorities, sub-partners, grantees and other key stakeholders ensuring strong cooperation and collaboration.  
• Ensure that the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality are maintained.
• Employee complies with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other relevant field and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 8 years of accounting, operations, and financial management of large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs in developing countries.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience overseeing the procurement administration and financial management and reporting of a USAID-funded activity, preferably around democracy and governance activities.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of U.S. Government financial and procurement rules and regulations, particularly financial reporting and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in developing and managing large budgets, including proficiency in relevant computer applications and databases.
• Knowledge of U.S. government references including OMB Circulars (e.g., A-122), 22 CFR 226 and 22 CFR 228, ADS, FAR, AIDAR, CAS, FFATA, DSSR, and FTR.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, interpersonal skills, and team-building experience.
• Must have professional fluency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrable experience managing grants, contracts or other mechanisms that allow projects to seamlessly change course in response to new information.
• Ability to travel regularly within the East Africa region and Sudan if and when the context is permissive. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with accounting software such as Serenic, Navigator, ERPs, ACCPAC, or others.
• Proficient in written and spoken Arabic.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Sudan.
• Expertise and experience in one or more areas; operations, procurement, human resources, logistics, or IT.
• Experience working with civil society organizations or media actors in Sudan and/or in the East Africa or Horn of Africa regions.
• Sudan nationals with eligibility to work in Kenya are encouraged to apply.