Senior Financial Analyst At National Democratic Institute

The Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for ensuring compliance with US government (USAID and State Department), non-US government foreign government embassies and aid agencies (such as FCDO, Sida, GAC, etc.), foundations, other multilateral entities, (such as UNDP and the World Bank) organizational regulations relating to the financial administration and management of NDI’s grants, awards and contracts. The position serves as the primary point of contact for program staff in assisting with overall project/grant financial administration and management.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

The Senior Financial Analyst contributes to and may lead in the design and implementation of complex financial solutions for NDI’s grants management. The individual coordinates with and may occasionally backstop the Senior Grants Manager on a case-by-case basis and as necessary, respectively.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, recommendations and advice to assigned program team/s on daily project financial management issues, including budgeting and reprogramming, expenditure projection and tracking, financial reporting, cost allocations, reading and interpreting job cost reports, etc.
• Review grant proposal budgets, grant agreements and modifications for compliance with NDI policies and donor regulations such as USAID, US Department of State, National Endowment for Democracy, and various foreign governments, including facilitating timely correspondence with donors.
• In coordination with other institutional support teams, assist in negotiations and communications with donors on grant terms for new awards and existing ones.
• Prepare financial reports, projections, and cash drawdowns to various donors.
• Review and monitor monthly reports of grant expenses and assist program staff as needed.
• Communicate with program staff on a regular basis regarding financial management of their programs, including burn rates/spending, projections, extensions and closeouts or finalizations.
• Provide training to program staff on grant financial management issues such as effective budgeting, preparing expenditure forecasts, cost allocations and reading and analyzing monthly job cost reports of grant expenses.
• Review and manage closeout expenditures and administration of files for approval, as well as maintaining appropriate records, in coordination with other grants team staff (Grants Accountants and Manager).
• Assist with the preparation of audit schedules and reports for NDI’s Board of Directors.
• Coordinate and interact with the other units of Accounting, such as General Accounting, International Accounting and Subgrants.
• Lead the development of training material and department policies and procedures, including material on the internal portal, etc.
• Act as liaison or Accounting lead for specific funding instruments or mechanisms e.g. NED, CEPPS, PAIRS, etc.
• Backstop the Grants Manager as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Acts as a back-up to other team members as needed.
• Assists with the training and coaching of program and accounting staff, (such as Grants Administrators and Accountants) as necessary.
• Participate in staff meetings and propose ideas for Grants operational and monitoring improvements as needed.
• Participate in cross-team initiatives as needed.
• Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in award management and compliance and maintain a general working knowledge of relevant donor requirements, financial trends and issues occurring externally to NDI.
• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Incumbent operates under general direction and works in accordance with established procedures and objectives.
• Incumbent serves as a resource and provides guidance to lower-level staff.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with staff at all levels within NDI.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with NDI donors, funders, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
Education

• BS/BA in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience

• 6 years relevant experience with the administration of USG and non-USG contracting and grant-making procedures, regulations, and policies required.
• Experience with USAID, Department of State, and other international development donors is highly desirable.
• Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirements on a one-for-one basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of USG and other donor regulations.
• Knowledge of grant management processes and requirements.
• Use judgment and decision-making to execute responsibilities and duties.
• Work independently with initiative to manage conflicting priorities, high volume, or sensitive workflow.
• Interact with diplomacy and tact and follow-up on requests in a timely and efficient manner.
• Possess analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve essential elements of complex project management issues.
• Ability to act in an advisory capacity with program staff on financial matters related to grants and cooperative agreements.
• Ability to analyze budgets, define problems, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze, and interpret donor and federal regulations such as the Uniform Administrative Requirements (UAR), formerly OMB Circulars A-110, A-122 and A-133, as they relate to the financial administration of grants and cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge and experience with pricing and reporting for Time and Material contracts is a plus.
• Capability to work independently and as part of a team and advanced ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Perform detail-oriented work with a high level of accuracy and focus on quality.
• Develop and implement effective strategies and tactics for accomplishing assigned duties.
• Participate in professional accounting activities and events to stay current with best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Expertise with PC-based word processing systems, spreadsheet applications, and computerized accounting systems such as Deltek Costpoint. Report writing skills using Business Intelligence or other applications is a plus.
• Ability to work with Google Apps (Google Docs, Gmail, Calendar, and Google Drive).

Certifications/Licenses (desired)

• None Required

Work Environment

• This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas.
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others and conduct presentations.
• Seeing—to effectively use a computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork.
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies.

Comments
To comply with tax and legal obligations, all candidates for DC-based positions must reside in Maryland, DC or Virginia. While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments, candidates must be residents of MD, DC or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible and authorized to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical-related condition.