PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Strengthening Regional Peace and Stability (SRPS) in West Africa Program is a five-year, USAID-funded program implemented by DAI. The program supports the efforts of West Africans to address the risks of instability from democratic backsliding and from conflict, and prioritizes targeted governance, conflict and violence prevention, peacebuilding, and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) interventions across the region. The program will engage with regional partners and with governments that demonstrate commitment to power-sharing and resource redistribution, both of which are crucial for reducing exclusion, violence, and conflict. Program interventions will address causes of fragility, and focus on good governance approaches, conflict prevention and response, and P/CVE interventions across select target countries in the Sahel and coastal West Africa.

SRPS is looking for candidates to fill for the ACCOUNTANT position.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Accountant is a key member of the finance team. S/he will play a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to financial policies, activity policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Accountant will provide accounting and financial analysis support to the activity office and will ensure submission of financial reports based on internal deadlines. This position will ensure compliance of all accounting and financial reporting functions. Responsible for recording costs and day-to-day general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, risk management, managing partner relationships, ensuring all backup documentation is audit ready, and troubleshooting accounting issues. The individual is also responsible for cash flow analyses, and the overall financial well-being of the activity.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

The following comprise main responsibilities of the Accountant:

Accounting and Finance

• Responsible for recording data in Field Expense Reports (FERs) and overall financial management and reporting included payroll, VAT, bank/cash vouchers, advances, reimbursements, etc.
• Initiate and submit weekly funds/wire request for activity implementation along with recording of wire transfer.
• Prepared bi-weekly FER report and bank reconciliation (bank and cash) on monthly basis and submit for review.
• Ensure compliance with the country local laws. Ensure that taxes are paid, tracked, recorded, and deposited in a timely manner.
• Ensure internal controls are established and implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID rules/regulations, and the terms of the contract.
• Compile backup documentation for all project transactions and ensure completeness and appropriate review and approval are documented, scanned and uploaded to the backup documents in archiving systems (both hard and soft).
• Communicate with the Finance Director and Senior Management Team on troubleshooting technical issues.
• Any other task assigned by supervisor.

Financial Compliance

• Support the Field Operations Manual (FOM) to ensure that finance and operations policies and procedures are fully operationalized, developing where needed, standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, checklists, and workflows to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Support in ensuring implementation of strong financial systems to guide program operations, and ensure they are adapted and maintained throughout the project period of performance.
• Support in highlighting and providing the need for any adjustments to the program’s Field Operations Manual, and other policy and procedural documents.

Relations Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships among both internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to program staff, bank officials, among others.
• Support capacity building efforts and knowledge sharing to staff for enhanced functioning of financial performance and compliance.
• Work closely with the Grants Manager on grants implementation tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or related field (business, finance, etc.) at minimum.
• 7+ years of relevant experience and progressive responsibility in finance and accounting; experience working on USAID-funded activities preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes (e.g., procurement, local subcontract agreements, etc.).
• Relevant professional accounting qualifications.
• Demonstrated report writing skills in English is required. French language proficiency a plus.
• Computer literate with e-mail and Microsoft Office suite, including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook as well as any finance/accounting software used to track transactions.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks and work as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate/collaborate effectively across teams, cultures, including with team members based in other countries and time zones.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps.