The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women to serve in local communities in the areas of health, education and agriculture. The agency in Ghana is seeking to hire the services of a highly motivated business person with experience in operations, budgets, and financial analysis to become a Financial Assistant our main office in Accra. The candidate must be very organized, have good interpersonal skills and, must be able to multi-process and work under pressure.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Introduction

The U. S. Peace Corps is an agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance. This position is located in the Accra Ghana Peace Corps Office (Post) and reports directly to the Peace Corps Director of Management and Operations.

The FA position has several functions and is important to help keep the Post operating smoothly. The FA assists the implementation of the quarterly and annual budgets. They may become a contracting officer at Post responsible for negotiating service and personal contracts. The FA can be a contact person with the Post health insurance plan representatives, and may act as the Human Resources Assistant for Post. They input financial and cost data into the U. S. Government systems and help monitor and track current expenses and budgets. The FA will back up other members of the financial team when they are on leave or out of the office. They may become a back-up to the cashier. They provide reports to Washington and to Post as requested.

The specific duties are the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

Budgetary and Financial Program Management -

•   Assists in the preparation of Annual Operating Plan (Budget) and the subsequent Quarterly Budget Reviews (QBRs) and annual close-out review with the DMO. May help manage the budget for Peace Corps Ghana’s Training Center at Kukurantumi, as well as oversee expenditures for two sub-offices throughout the country. Works in close collaboration with Program & Training, Medical, InformationTechnology, Safety and Security & Administrative units on department-specific budgets to collect and synthesize budget planning information in addition to gathering information on prior year costs. May
create and prioritize unfunded requirements list for review by the Director of Management & Operations (DMO) and the Country Director (CD).
•   Helps with the monitoring of the implementation of approved plans including preparing regular budget analyses for the DMO and quarterly budget reports for all Programmatic Units tracking spending against budget targets.
•   When needed, works with other staff and the DMO to realign Post’s funds to better reflect changing quarterly budget trends and needs while still remaining within the budget allotment.
•   Prepares reports on spending trends and cost analysis in order to assist in the preparation of the annual
budget. Also prepares periodic budget and spending analyses, reports, and monthly reconciliation as directed by the DMO, using government accounting software to develop accounting records and provide insights and knowledge of Peace Corps’ spending requirements.
•   Directs the disbursement of funds in close collaboration with the DMO.

Financial Systems and Administrative Management -

•   Assists in the creation and preparation of financial reports for the Country Director, Headquarters and the
Administrative Unit.
•   When trained, will provide guidance to other Post staff on financial matters including interpretation of regulations.
•   The incumbent assists the DMO in reviewing Peace Corps regulation changes and general financial and administrative operations to ensure that proper controls are in place to prevent unauthorized use of U. S. Government funds and property.
•   Helps to maintain Post automated internal government accounting system and helps to monitor allotments in the system in accordance with the approved operating budgets. Recommends obligation increases/decreases on an on-going basis and at the time of monthly reconciliation.
•   Is responsible for the preparation of all obligating and liquidating documents, including Miscellaneous Obligating Documents (MODs), Purchase Orders, Contracts, Leases, payments and Travel Authorizations, and may present said documents to the DMO and CD for approval and ensures compliance with U.S. Government law and internal Peace Corps procedures. Assists other admin staff in tracking activity of these transactions. May interface with the Office of Global Accounts Payable (OGAP) at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, DC in addressing any issues as needed.
•   Prepares international travel advance requests when requested.
Helps monitor Post reporting requirements to ensure that reports are submitted in a timely and accurate manner.
•   Works with the cashier and other admin staff to track checks and EFT requests to ensure vendors receive timely payment; follows up with OGAP, as needed. In collaboration with the Cashier, ensures that records of check receipts with vendor signature are properly maintained.
•   Helps maintain and may submit quarterly reports to Headquarters (including VAT exemption)
•   May assist other staff and the DMO to implement human resource functions. These may include development and updating of personal services contracts (PSCs), checking timesheets with official headquarters records and ensuring timely payroll payments, managing medical, retirement, and annual leave plans.

Contracting Officer Duties -

•   May act as a Warranted Contracts Officer, thereby serving as the secondary Contracting Officer (C.O.) for Post (and primary C.O. in absence of DMO). As such, is only 1 of 2 people able to enter into contractual agreements for all leases, personnel services contracts, and any other type of procurement activities undertaken by PC/Ghana.
•   Ensures that necessary and relevant procurement rules and regulations are adhered to for all procurement activity under supervision including market research, formulating strategy, defining Scopes of Work, writing Requests for Quotes, making selections in the best interest of the U. S. Government, performance of contract and receiving of goods and services and finally close-out of contract files.
•   Prepares and formats all leases and contracts after receiving appropriate information verifying that contracting criteria is adhered to. Sets up due date payments schedule for budget purposes. Prepares, obligates, assigns fiscal coding, and liquidates for all contracts and leases.

Competitive candidates will have the following credentials and expertise:

•   At least three years of progressive work experience working with budgets, operations, financial analysis and planning.
•   Demonstrated experience keeping accurate budgets.
•   Must have a thorough knowledge of accounting principles, and experience with accounting Software
•   Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 2007 and 2010.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

•   Must have excellent proficiency in oral and written English
•   Very good speaking, presentation skills
•   Very strong networking, negotiation and collaboration skills
•   Demonstrated organizational and project management skills
•   Must have demonstrated experience in accounting, business operations
•   Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

Qualification Required & Experience

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

•   Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics or any related discipline
•   At least three years of progressive work experience working with budgets, operations, financial analysis and planning
•   Demonstrated experience keeping accurate budgets
•   Experience assisting/or developing annual financial plans
•   Must have a thorough knowledge of accounting principles
•   Good administrative skills and experience organizing large amounts of paper and data
•   Advanced proficiency working with Microsoft Office Suite 2007 and 2010
•   Ability to learn complex systems and subjects quickly
•   Must be a very resourceful and creative individual who can design different flexible options to respond to
organizational needs in a scenario of scarce resources Willingness to work hard, long hours.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

•   U. S. work experience or overseas travel
•   Experience working with the U. S. Peace Corps
•   Proven ability to solve problems without supervision
•   Knowledge and understanding of U. S. values, history, and culture
•   Experience working with international NGOs, or other Government organizations.

Salary: GHC 17,861 to GHC 26,800 PA plus benefits

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1) A detailed résumé or C.V. that includes:
o 3 Professional references.
2) A cover letter
3) Any other documentation (e.g., certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

Write the job number and position title as email subject and send application packet to:-

jobs@gh.peacecorps.gov

Closing Date: 31 December, 2013