Afghanistan: Deputy Chief of Party,Finance & Admin--Afghanistan

Counterpart International is a global development organization that empowers people and communities to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been forging partnerships with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions.
For more information visit www.Counterpart.org
SUMMARY: Counterpart International is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) of Finance, Compliance, and Admin for its 5-year, USAID funded, Afghan Civic Engagement Program (ACEP).
The goal of ACEP is to promote civil society and media engagement that enable Afghan citizens to influence policy, monitor government accountability, and serve as an advocate for political reform. The program aims to achieve this goal through five program areas: (1) regular CSO engagement with government; (2) increased CSO and media thematic expertise in democracy and governance; (3) expanded civic engagement; (4) improved access to independent news and public affairs information; and (5) increased CSO organizational capacity.
This is a full time position based in Kabul, Afghanistan with dual reporting to the Chief of Party in Afghanistan and Senior Program Manager (SPM) at HQ. The Finance, Compliance, and Admin DCOP will be responsible for all aspects of financial project management as well as coordination of all financial activities, especially management of the sub-granting process. S/he should have extensive experience working on previous USAID funded projects in the areas of financial management, accounting, procurement, grants and contracting, auditing, human resources, as well as having extensive knowledge and expertise in USAID rules and regulations governing all aspects of financial, operations, grants, and administrative management and oversight of the program. S/he will ensure that the program implementation is in compliance with Counterpart’s policies and with USAID rules and regulations. The Finance, Compliance, and Admin DCOP will support strategic program management, ensuring coordination and collaboration across program components, work planning, budgeting, reporting, and timely achievement of program deliverables. S/he will also serve as Acting Chief of Party during the absence of the Chief of Party.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The DCOP of Finance, Compliance, and Admin is responsible for managing the following departments: finance and accounting, procurement and logistics, human resources and administration.
Finance:
• Ensure that the established financial management systems, procedures and controls are in line with Counterpart’s policies and procedures. Review them on a regular basis to ensure compliance, transparency and effective utilization of resources.
• Oversee all financial management, transactions, and reporting.
• Lead the collection of all audit requests. Liaise with HQ and field staffs to ensure all documents and materials are promptly sent and fulfill all of the auditors’ requests.
• Lead accounting and finance staff that create, organize and maintain all financial vouchers along with necessary back up documentation, and record all transactions in QuickBooks. Review all financials before presenting to the COP for approval and submission to HQ.
• Supervise day-to-day operations of the finance and admin teams, focusing on mentoring them and building their capacity.
• Monitor program burn rate and support the development and improvement of pipelines, grant trackers, accruals, and spending projections.
• Manage program budget and oversee all financial disbursements. Monitor procurement, purchase orders and payment requests to ensure compliance with Counterpart’s policies and procedures, as well as with USAID rules and regulations;
• Lead budget re-alignment process in collaboration with HQ support teams.
• Ensure timely submission of all financial reports, records, files and cash requests to COP, Counterpart headquarters, and USAID.
• Manage the field finance team and recruit the members of the finance team as needed
Compliance:
• Ensure program is compliant with all USAID rules and regulations.
• Ensure that the sub-grants to local CSOs and any other sub-grantees are implemented as per program objectives, design and USAID sub-grants regulations:
• Review sub-grantees’ financial reports to ensure accuracy; ensure proper grant close-out procedures in line with subgrants requirements, Counterpart’s policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations;
• Ensure that both Counterpart and USAID rules and regulations are adequately understood and adhered to by all sub-grantees;
• Provide training and technical assistance in financial management to local sub-grantees.
• Review all procurement packages (sub-grants, vendor contracts, etc.) to ensure compliance with all US government regulations and Counterpart policy prior to the COP’s approval and/or submission to HQ.
Administration:
• Lead the development and/or revisions of key HR policies and personnel manual, ensuring their adherence to local labor laws, and oversee the implementation of the policies and procedures, including staff training and accountability mechanisms.
• Ensure all field manuals are up to date and in compliance with local laws, USAID and Counterpart’s rules and regulations.
• Work closely with HQ staff (Finance, HR and Grants, Contracts and Compliance) to fully utilize and interpret all current reports, as well as create new reports/tools and improve current reports/tools. Requirements• A university degree is required, with a strong preference for study in business administration, accounting, or finance.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of work experience in a field related to accounting, finance and compliance including at least two (2) years of experience managing USAID-funded programs in post-conflict environments
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience as a Director of Finance and Administration (or similar post) on USAID projects, and have a thorough understanding of USAID rules and regulations preferred.
• The candidate should have extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of: financial management, grants management (in the forms of cost reimbursable grants, fixed obligation grants, and contracts), procurement and contracting, human resources and administration, and USAID rules and regulations in all the aforementioned areas.
• The candidate should have extensive experience and understanding of accounting practices and procedures, records management, and audits.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain accuracy with a very demanding workload and in a culturally sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and QuickBooks accounting software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with civil society organizations, project staff, beneficiaries, donor, host government, local and international security companies, and headquarters program staff.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills, ability to work well in a team environment.
• Previous work experience implementing development projects in conflict/post-conflict zones and comfort working in a high security environment.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Previous work experience in Afghanistan and a demonstrated understanding of the social, political, economic and international dynamics that would impact the program is strongly preferred.