Finance and Administration Director – Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity At Lutheran World Relief

Finance and Administration Director – Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity

In anticipation of a new multi-year USAID Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity, Lutheran World Relief is seeking a Finance and Administration Director.

Corus International is a family of organizations which believes that those who were born into impossible circumstances deserve the opportunity for a better life. Corus was formed through the strategic merger of IMA World Health (operating as a public health organization since 1960), and Lutheran World Relief (operating as a livelihoods organization since 1945), and today includes the smaller entities of Charlie Goldsmith Associates, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Coffee. Corus International works in over 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with a primary focus on health, livelihoods, and emergency response.

Corus International’s country portfolio in Nepal has worked alongside the Nepal government, donors, and a variety of local and international partners since 2009. Programs reach marginalized communities through market systems facilitation, agriculture, food security, livelihoods, enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction activities. The portfolio includes a focus on both sustainable development and humanitarian assistance activities and operates out of Kathmandu.

The Finance and Administration Director (FAD) will directly report to the Chief of Party and will be responsible for all financial management and administration of the program. S/he will develop and oversee the implementation of policies, procedures, and systems for administration and financial support services and human resources management, while at the same time ensuring that the program’s support interventions are in compliance with national and international standards, Lutheran World Relief internal policies and procedures, and USAID financial compliance standards and regulations. In addition, s/he will be responsible for financial management and review of project sub-grants and sub-awardees, and also will provide oversight of project operations, procurement, and logistics.

Actual hiring is contingent upon successful agreement award and USAID approval.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of program financial management and operations, including financial and accounting systems implementation; forecasting; budgeting; procurement; payroll expenditure tracking; and financial reporting
• Collaborate with the COP, Country Financial Officer, and LWR Headquarters in the development of program financial, accounting, procurement, and HR systems (including policies and procedures), in accordance with USAID rules and regulations and LWR policies
• Develop program budgets; oversee effective budget planning; develop and implement budgeting and financial reporting processes to meet project financial management, forecasting, and reporting requirements
• Supervise project financial staff; institute staff development plans for training and capacity development; oversee staff recruitment
• Coordinate administrative support for program implementation, including project start-up and field office set-up, while ensuring systems are streamlined between administration, finance, accounting, procurement, HR, and programs
• Supervise the preparation of periodic financial and budget reports and ensure timely submission to USAID
• Help draft, review, and negotiate contracts (including service agreements, office leases, purchase orders, etc.), ensuring all required contractual terms and conditions are included while obtaining the best value to the project
• Manage procurement of office space, office equipment, vehicles, and other items, in compliance with FAR and AIDAR procurement regulations
• Support logistical operations, including transport, staff travel, IT, and communication services
• Establish and ensure strong working relationships between USAID, field offices, local partners, and HQ, providing field oversight to project districts in finance and administration, as needed
• Support and monitor local partners and sub-recipients to ensure sound financial management, operations, and compliance; contribute to capacity building of local partners in administration and financial management
• Oversee all program human resources management, policies, and procedures; oversee local staff recruitment processes, including participating in interviews (as needed) and salary negotiations, and in preparing employment contracts
• Participate in development of local employee benefits and allowance packages, in accordance with local labor statutes and LWR HR policies
• Ensure project expenses are reasonable, cost-effective, and comply with USAID procurement rules and regulations (FAR and AIDAR); support donor auditing procedures
• Ensure that contract deliverables are achieved within budget while effectively managing fiduciary risk within the project as well as downstream among partners and suppliers; promptly advise the COP of all potential fiduciary risks; develop monitoring and troubleshooting strategies to address risks and financial management
• Lead implementation of changes in operations in response to changes in the local legal environment, or in response to new operating contexts and financial management needs
• Ensure that all financial management work is performed to the highest ethical and professional standards and in accordance with LWR, USAID, and program guidelines
• Travel in-country to field offices, local partners, sub-recipients, grantees, etc., providing technical assistance on financial and operational matters
• Other relevant tasks as assigned

Qualifications

• Preferably a Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in business administration, financial management, finance analysis, financial planning, or accounting; additional accounting certification preferred (e.g., AICPA, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), etc.), preferably a Chartered Accountant.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of work experience for Masters level or ten years of experience for Bachelor’s level candidates. Work experience should include progressively responsible administrative and financial management experience on large, complex donor-funded international development projects, including financial and accounting systems development, financial planning and analysis, financial monitoring, budget development, procurement, operations and logistics, IT, and HR management and administration
• Experience providing supervision and technical direction to ensure financial management processes conducted meet schedule deadlines in full compliance with established policies, controls and procedures
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership/supervisory experience managing finance, accounting, operations, and administrative staff and teams
• Substantial experience in financial management of consortia of local implementing partners, especially in multi-sectoral programs
• Experience preparing annual budgets and recurring forecasts to enhance program implementation
• Experience ensuring accurate, complete, and relevant financial and operational reports
• Extensive experience in financial management of USAID-funded projects of similar scope and size (contracts); strong understanding of USG compliance rules and regulations (including FAR/AIDAR acquisition regulations) and Cost Accounting Standards; demonstrated experience with USAID/USG financial reporting requirements
• Experience overseeing project operations, procurement, and logistics; extensive experience in the development and management of large project budgets
• Experience overseeing management of sub-grants or sub-contracts
• Experience working in Nepal and experience working in fragile or unstable, non-permissive environments both highly desirable
• Knowledge of and experience with financial accounting software, including USAID financial dashboards (DATIM, DevResults, etc.) and related financial management software and applications; high degree of proficiency in relevant software packages such as Adobe, MS Word, Excel, etc.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, versatility, and integrity; excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communications skills; demonstrated supervisory skills and ability to work well as a member of a team
• Professional level fluency in Nepali and English, both oral and written, is preferred
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, as well as internationally, as needed

Based on the final solicitation for this opportunity and target geographic areas, this position will be based in Nepal. The role can be negotiated as an accompanied post for families.

IMA/Corus International OR LWR/Corus International is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, Corus makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, and local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify Corus’s Human Resources department.