Project Finance and Administration Director at United States International University - USIU Africa

JOB SUMMARY

USIU-Africa seeks a qualified candidate for the full-time Finance and Administration Director (FAD) position for an upcoming potential award being solicited through USAID/Kenya & East Africa to strengthen employment pathways for youth. The project would seek to develop and implement high-quality, industry-endorsed training directly connected to youth employment opportunities in high-priority sectors.

The Finance and Administration Director will have overall responsibility for and oversee the financial management, financial operations, management of sub-grants, accounting, procurement, managing a potential team, preparing project budgets and developing internal and external financial reports. The role will ensure that the project complies with all USAID rules and regulations and satisfies all USAID and USIU-Africa financial reporting requirements on a timely basis. The position would report to the Chief of Party, and the opportunity is an open call for interest and is contingent on contract award.

JOB DUTIES

• Lead the financial oversight and compliance management of the prospective cooperative agreement. Ensure the project’s financial activities adhere to the guidelines set by USAID and USIU-Africa.
• Provide comprehensive management of financial information, including the preparation of accurate and timely reports for USAID, such as project expenditure analysis.
• Coordinate the overall administrative operations, including logistics, procurement, budgeting, and information technology, ensuring effective systems for project administration and operations.
• Maintain a project financial dashboard for the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and USIU-Africa Deputy Vice-Chancellor to view the project financial position at a glance.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of financial controls, operational systems, and compliance measures for the project and its partners.
• Assume operations, logistics, and supply chain leadership.
• Manage the financial administration of partners and sub-grantees. This includes overseeing the entire financial sub-grant lifecycle, from pre-award to closure, ensuring adherence to USAID and USIU-Africa regulations and procedures.
• Proactively address any arising issues related to financial reporting, compliance, dispute resolution, and audit findings.
• Strengthen the capacity of USIU-Africa, partners, and sub-grantees to manage donor funding efficiently and in line with established procedures and policies.
• Ensure the establishment and compliance of project-specific human resources and performance management systems and procedures within alignment of USIU-Africa policies.
• Lead the development of project budgets for annual work planning and unexpected budget requests.
• Supervise financial and logistics grants staff.
• Implement technology systems and operational facilities to enhance programming support.
• Foster effective working relationships with donors and key government officials in finance and operations.
• Oversee the annual financial portion of the work plan process and participate in strategic planning.
• Build the financial management capacity of USIU-Africa and partner TVETs.
• Conduct continual analysis and planning for operating, staff, and external project expenditures.
• Monitor and pay salaries and benefits on time, ensuring alignment with budget plans.
• Ensure project contractual obligations are sound and appropriate.
• Develop internal control measures for accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Develop finance-related training and orientation materials.
• Coordinate external financial audits.
• Work collaboratively with USIU-Africa Finance Director and the USIU-Africa finance team to provide backstop support to the project.
• Offer specialized financial policy and procedure guidance to project.
• Conduct key financial analyses, review and reconcile invoices, and monitor financial expenses of sub-grantees.
• Ensure compliance with Kenya tax and statutory requirements within USAID and USIU-Africa rules.
• Manage financial transfers and reconciliations in the ERP system.
• Maintain a schedule for routine and ad hoc financial reports.
• Provide input to proposal modification budget development.
• Review award and any modification documentation for financial feasibility.
• Coach, guide, and mentor direct reports.
• Manage team performance and compliance with USIU-Africa human resources policies.
• Recruit for diverse and qualified finance and administration team workforce aligned with project goals.

The position is subject to the availability of funds and approval by USAID. The role would be in-person at project headquarters in Kenya with periodic travel to target Kenya counties up to 30% of the time.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting and finance.
• 5+ years experience in USAID-funded projects and overseeing compliance with USAID rules and regulations.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• Extensive knowledge of practical implementation of USAID compliance procedures on projects.
• Experience managing local grantees or subcontractors.
• Experience utilizing an ERP system including general ledger modules is required.
• Knowledge of windows, Word, Excel (PIVOT tables, dashboards, etc.), and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in English and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstratable budgeting, financial planning, grant and fund management, and financial controlling skills within overall experience.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a business-related discipline.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS BUT NOT REQUIRED

• A post-graduate degree in accounting, business administration or a related field from an accredited university or training school.
• Certified Public Accountant-Kenya (CPA-K) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience in the successful financial and administrative management of international projects of similar scope and size.
• Work specifically on USAID/Kenya & East Africa funded projects.