PROJECT SUMMARY:

The 5-year Liberia Education Systems Strengthening Activity, will work in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to address system-wide constraints and increase the MOE’s capacity to provide decentralized and inclusive education, monitor progress, and sustain improved learning outcomes for all children and youth. The activity will support the central MOE to improve education data, resource management, and accountability, and work to improve county-, district-, and school-level governance processes and systems in Montserrado, Margibi, Lofa, Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties. The activity will target education officials and professionals at the central, county, district, and school level with its capacity development interventions with the end goal of improving education outcomes for children and youth.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Finance Manager will provide financial management support for the USAID-funded Education Systems Strengthening Activity project at the FHI 360 country office. Under the leadership to the Director of Finance and Administration, the Finance Manager will provide support on developing and monitoring budgets, expenditures, and subawards at home office field level in accordance with FHI 360 policy and USAID rules and regulations.

The Finance Manager will provide routine accounting, finance, and related administrative support to the project team in functional areas including budgeting, budget analysis, project accounting, banking, accounts payable and receivable, and any financial/administrative functions assigned.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide accounting support to include organization and maintenance of accounts, general ledger entries and management, financial management, record keeping, internal and external communication with sub-contractors/grantees and related financial management.
• Reviews and analyzes monthly financial reports regarding budgets- actual and forecast.
• Participates and provides financial reporting for annual budget planning, audit reviews and assessments.
• Support preparation of project pipeline reports and analyze budget patterns and project expenditures.
• Administer the expenditure of funds, ensuring that funds are expended according to FHI 360 and donor guidelines.
• Collaborate with the project team, West Africa Middle East Regional Office (WAMERO) and headquarter-based staff to ensure the project is implemented according to organization and industry best practices, program framework, and regulations.
• Interact regularly with project leadership and WAMERO to provide updates on the project finance and operations status and resolve any problems or issues associated with finance and operations.
• Work with operations as well as technical staff to ensure the correct procedures are followed in procurements and that actions are conducted in a highly efficient manner by promoting proper planning well in advance of upcoming activities.
• Oversee the process and ensure FHI 360 procurement policies are implemented as per the allocated financial thresholds.
• Ensuring all Finance procedures are in line with FHI 360 rules and regulations.
• Contribute to financial reporting for donors and FHI 360 management.

CONTRIBUTION:

• Maintain journal entries of transfers and receipts.
• Generate Account Payable and Journal Vouchers.
• Correspond with vendors as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and complete accounting records.

EXPERTISE AND COMPLEXITY:

• Knowledge of basic accounting and office procedures.
• Report to supervisor on variances and status on regular basis.
• Use judgment to execute duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete accounting records.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
• Effective team player.
• Verbal and organizational skills.

TYPE AND NATURE OF CONTACTS:

• Routine interaction with others, resolve problem situations with tact, occasional external contacts.
• Work with people to coordinate work assignments with other staff, and to resolve problem situations with tact, with occasional external interaction.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BA or related advanced Degree in Accounting, Finance with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in grants and contract financial management and administration, preferably in a multi-partner context.
• Experience in managing donor funds.
• Knowledge of USAID award and financial management policies, procedures, and practices necessary. Experience managing USAID contract highly preferred.
• Must have demonstrable hands-on experience with an accounting system and high-degree of competency in MS Excel and other accounting packages.
• Excellent communication skills in English required.
• Experience working with government of Liberia, international non-governmental organizations and local organizations required. Experience working with the education programs strongly desired.