CARE seeks a Director of Administration and Finance for the anticipated USAID-funded Health Facility Services Improvement Activity in Benin. The purpose of this activity is to support the Government of Benin to ensure that health services in select public and private facilities are sustainably improved and effectively utilized to reduce child, neonatal, and maternal mortality. The activity will support the scale-up of evidenced-based high-impact interventions, and target appropriate populations, with a specific emphasis on women (including pregnant women), adolescents, and children under five years of age.

Position Description:

The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA), in close collaboration with COP and DCOP, has primary responsibility for tasks related to budget preparation, management, and tracking; staffing and HR management; operations; and overall financial management and administrative operations. The DFA works closely with the COP and DCOP, Consortium members, regional teams, and CARE Benin to ensure that a strong partnership is developed between the finance, program, HR, logistics, and administration teams. They assume responsibility for the implementation of USAID rules and regulations and ensure that all compliance requirements are adequately met. The DFA plays a key role in developing systems and processes that support the implementation of programming through partner subcontracting.

This activity is expected to be a five-year program in the $10-$24M range.

This position is pending donor approval and funding. Beninois candidates are encouraged to apply .

Location: Cotonou, Benin

Primary responsibilities:

• Provide leadership on all matters relating to financial management and program support. This position will manage all aspects of financial management, including financial systems implementation, budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting and accounting for both the prime recipient and locally signed sub-awards.
• Ensure execution and timely posting of financial transactions and prepare financial reports for submission to the donor. Ensure the overall accuracy of financial information recorded in the project and reflected on the project’s trial balance and other financial reports submitted to CARE Benin, CARE USA, and USAID.
• Develop financial forecast analysis and lead the process of analysis and interpretation of accurate financial reports for informed decision-making.
• Coordinate closely with CoP and Country Director to lead financial and contractual aspects of the project. Monitor subrecipient program performance and compliance with administrative and financial terms and conditions of the sub-agreement for all partners.
• Ensure compliance with US Government and Government of Benin laws, regulations, and policies regarding contracts and grants, procurements, and financial management. Ensure consortium readiness for annual financial and do nor audits; facilitate internal and external audits conducted for the program; assist CARE Benin in preparing responses to audit findings as well as planning and implementing audit recommendations.
• Assess and identify gaps in skills among finance and non-finance staff, develop training materials and provide training in financial management, and sub-award management as needed.
• Work with program and M&E functions to ensure that systems to mitigate the risk of fraud, vendor collusion, and aid detour are robust and strictly adhered to.
• Provide guidance and supervision to program staff and managers/budget holders on financial management and operations. Ensure procurement is conducted in accordance with donor requirements and, where applicable, CARE systems and procedures, and meets best practices in procurement, ensuring best value, risk reduction, and quality.
• Provide guidance on donor regulations, financial management, and operations, and build the capacity of partners and local sub-recipients of the project for successful implementation of the project activities.
• Lead efforts, in collaboration with the program, M&E, and program support functions, to ensure that systems to mitigate the risk of fraud, vendor collusion, and diversion of assistance are robust and adhered to.
• Collaborate with CARE Benin’s country team, Regional Office and CARE USA headquarter staff (A ward Management, Grants/Finance management, and Water Team) to ensure the project is implemented according to the organization and program framework, and regulations.
• Lead the hiring and contract management of finance and program support staff in close coordination with the DCOP and COP.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports and support performance management of direct reports, including ongoing performance feedback, learning, as well as staffing and management of human resources.

Required qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a relevant field
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in finance, procurement, award management, logistics, and/or human resource-related matters for large international development projects; with a minimum of 5 years of senior-level responsibility for managing administration and finance aspects.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication, leadership, and managerial skills.
• Familiarity with financial reporting and compliance requirements of USG contracts/cooperative agreements.
• Experience in managing procurement and subcontracts/grants for a large project.
• Proven track record of implementing fraud mitigation practices and Risk management.
• Experience with finance management, accounting and auditing, procurement, and establishment of internal controls; including grant compliance monitoring and management.
• Experience with strategic program planning, annual work planning, and budgeting.
• Experience managing successful teams working in multiple locations.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and accounting software.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity and Diversity and PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse).
• Preference will be given to those with a professional ACCA, CPA, or CA membership.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.
• Fluency in French and English is preferred.

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