The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of FINANCIAL ANALYST – Local Solutions in the Financial Section for the USAID/Ghana’s Tamale Sub-Office. The incumbent will fully support USAID/Ghana and regional operations to expand the Mission’s efforts under the Local Solutions (LS) initiative in working with both local organizations and host government entities in Ghana and the region.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Financial Analyst (FA) - Local Solutions position, based in Tamale-Northern Ghana, will fully support USAID/Ghana and regional operations. The incumbent will specifically be assigned to expand USAID/Ghana’s efforts under the Local Solutions (LS) initiative in working with both local organizations and host government entities in Ghana and the region. These efforts will promote and support USAID’s local solutions objectives which are focused on strengthening accountability, transparency and sustainability of the host governments, local private and public sectors. The FA will work closely with the Mission’s LS team and Strategic Objectives (SO) in both Ghana and regional offices to fully support USAID Forward’s procurement reform.

The incumbent will be involved in assessing the financial capabilities and providing necessary support and training in coordination with key USAID staff to the various Government of Ghana (GOG) Ministries, USAID regional partners, and local organizations in order to provide direct funding to implement USAID activities. S/he will also work closely with key USAID staff to assess the financial capabilities of local organizations in order to expand the number of these organizations directly receiving USAID funding.

This individual will also provide financial training and support to local organizations and governments including those directly receiving USAID assistance in order to increase capacity, strengthen accountability and focus on sustainability. The Financial Analyst will provide support and training to the USAID staff in regional countries in strengthening the local capacity of local organizations and host government entities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES % OF TIME

1. Strategy Development/Activity Design/Liaison with Host Gov’t &Organizations 10%

The FA is empowered to conduct financial management functions and support in accordance with the Office of Financial Management’s Delegation of Authority in order to achieve the objectives of the Strategic Objectives (SO)s and USAID Forward initiative; advise SO Teams in the development of the strategic objectives and results framework by focusing on strengthening accountability, transparency and sustainability of the partner governments, local private and public sectors; work closely with LS and SO Teams to design new activities supporting this initiative.

2. Financial Assessments 40%

The FA will also work closely with the Local Solutions Supervisory Financial Analyst (LS SFA) and key USAID staff to develop a plan to assess the financial capabilities of local organizations in order to expand the number of these organizations directly receiving USAID funding and for future opportunities; work with key Mission staff in developing specific assessment tools for each type of local organization (partner government, NGO, private sector) for various types of agreements (fixed costs, cost reimbursable and cash advances/liquidation). Based upon the plan, assess prospective recipients’ administrative and institutional abilities to implement program activities in coordination with pertinent Mission staff. Determine appropriateness and effectiveness of prospective recipients’ operation procedures and cash management practices; provide an opinion on the confidence to be placed on the recipients’ internal control and offer advice to recipients on weaknesses and possible solutions to identified problems. Review the financial sections of work plans and provides input to expenditure plans and budgets; prepare assessment reports which include any recommendations to improve performance, accountability and ability to comply with applicable requirements. Update the tracking of assessment information using the various tools maintained by the Mission.

3. Technical Guidance, Support and Training on Public/Private Financial Management. 30%

The incumbent will provide necessary guidance, support and training in coordination with key USAID staff to the various governmental Ministries, local NGOs and private sector firms, and for local organizations in the region in order to provide direct funding to implement USAID activities; prepare an action plan of those local organizations to be cleared by the LS SFA, Controller and other pertinent USAID staff, to identify local organizations that need guidance, support and training to further develop their local capacity to strengthen accountability and focus on sustainability. This support will be based upon assessments, performance and monitoring done by the FA and others. Recommend outsourcing of guidance, support and training when necessary, and assist the Mission in preparing the procurement requests documentation, implement these activities and monitor to ensure they are providing the requested services. Provide financial training and support to local organizations and governments including those directly receiving USAID assistance in order to increase capacity; provide support and training to the USAID staff and other regional countries in strengthening the local capacity of local organizations and partner government entities. This includes providing technical guidance on Financial Management procedures, accounting control requirements and local accounts financing to the SO Teams and partners (partner country officials, recipients, and partners); work with the SO Team to review the financial management capacity of implementing agencies, and financial sections of work plans.

4. Activity Implementation/Monitoring/Financial Analysis and Reviews 20%

Work closely with the other FAs and key USAID staff to support activity implementation, monitor, review and other financial analysis requirements to strengthen financial capabilities, accountability and performance of local organizations; perform financial analysis in close collaboration with the Program Teams and make recommendations on utilization of activity funds and manage pipelines. Perform site visits to monitor the financial and accounting performance of recipients and assure that implementation plans and procedures are being applied and that appropriate corrective measures are taken in a timely manner. Prepare field trip reports to detail findings and recommendations. Follows-up on implementation of recommendations and perform other duties as required.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Education: A University degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration or a Master’s degree in an area of specialty or a formal CPA/ACCA/ICA certification is required.
•   Prior Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in professional accounting, auditing, or financially oriented business management, or CPA firm audit experience is required.
•   Language Proficiency: Level IV English ability (fluent) (speaking and writing) is required. Language proficiency will be tested.
•   Job Knowledge: The Incumbent must have thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology as well as accepted practices of US and host country business accounting, budgeting and reporting; knowledge of the laws, regulations, policies and procedures associated with US Government financial management and a comprehensive knowledge of US Government program planning and implementation procedures.
•   Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have ability to detect the financial strength and vulnerabilities of activity design and implementation actions; ability to analyze data and assess its reliability and value, detect the financial strengths and weaknesses of programs, and make independent judgments regarding the institutional capabilities and the adequacy of accounting systems and internal controls. Must be able to compile and present detailed financial and related information in a concise and fully professional manner. Must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of USAID staff and high level officials of implementing partners and support organizations. Possess excellent interpersonal skill in supervising FAs and ability to present facts and recommendations clearly and concisely. Must be skilled in the use of computer based analytical programs and US Government data management systems. Computer proficiency will be tested.

Salary Range: GH¢52, 421.00 – GH¢78, 634.00 p.a. (depending on qualification and experience)

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Interested individuals should submit cover letter and curriculum vitae with references to:

Regional Executive Office
USAID/West Africa
P.O. Box 1630, Accra

by Email to:-

acpersonnel@usaid.gov

Closing Date: 29 July, 2014

Note: When submitting your application via email, please start the subject line with the position title. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

USAID/West Africa anticipates awarding one Personal Services Contract (PSC) regarding this announcement. Please note that this does not constitute any guarantee that a PSC will be awarded as result of this announcement.