Chief Accountant

I. STATEMENT OF WORK BACKGROUND A Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2003 and the National Transition Government was installed in 2004, bringing to an end Liberia's 14-year civil war. The protracted war claimed an estimated 250,000 lives and displaced over 1 million people, including hundreds of thousands that fled the country as refugees. The long-running war has had a devastating impact on Liberia's physical, social, political, economic and governance infrastructure. Despite progress made since the end of the war, much more needs to be done to move from recovery and rehabilitation to development. To revive Liberia's post-war economy USAID has focused on improved education; job creation and income generation; the reconstruction of basic infrastructure; agricultural productivity; elections, rule of law, and governance activities; and increased availability of essential primary health care services. Liberia is a priority country, and therefore the mission is increasing staff to meet the growing demands of USAID programs in the country. At present the Liberia Mission payments are made by USAID/West Africa ROFM, USAID/Liberia is now fully staffed but over 50% of the staff have been on board under 1 year. The Chief Accountant, will assume responsibility for the accounting, financial analysis and payment operations for the USAID/Liberia Mission. Given the size and complexity of the Liberia portfolio, the position is demanding and the services of a senior/experienced financial management professional is required who has prior extensive USAID financial operations experience and strong English language skills. A highly skilled professional is required to facilitate a smooth transition and continuity of business operations as the mission expands its OFM and other office operations. II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION The Chief Accountant acts as the alter ego to the Controller. The incumbent shares fully in the responsibilities assigned to OFM. Chief Accountant specific duties include the following: - a) Supervise all budget, accounting and voucher functions in USAID/Liberia OFM. (25%) This includes project accounting, administrative expense accounting, voucher examination and cashier operations. As such, the Chief Accountant will: - Administer a comprehensive accounting, reporting and budgeting system designed to provide senior mission management and USAID/W with timely financial information for making operating decisions. - Ensure that all requests for obligating, earmarking, and/or committing funds receive adequate review and analysis against illustrative budget or budget elements in the all funding documents, before submitting to the Controller for signature. - Participate in the planning, installation and maintenance of an adequate system of internal control for the processing, accounting and reporting of all USAID obligation/liquidation actions. - Supervise the analysis and reconciliation of all of different program and administrative accounts with State, DOD and USAID/W. - Perform extensive analysis and participate in quarterly accruals, annual budget requirements, 1311 reviews, and make recommendations where applicable. - Participate in the formulation and preparation of the quarterly program and administrative expense budget. Provide fiscal data and cost factors needed for the budget formulation and estimates. Closely monitor the program and administrative budgets and make proactive recommendations to Mission management to ensure sufficient funds are available and used effectively and in accordance with intended purposes. b) Supervision, Management and Training Duties (25%) The incumbent supervises, manages and trains LES Accountants, Financial Analysts and Voucher Examiners in their daily activities. This requires developing, implementing and monitoring short- and long-term work plans to meet the needs of OFM and the Mission; determining staff work priorities; assigning responsibilities as appropriate and assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, in accordance with applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements; identifying and resolving related Financial issues; training, mentoring and coaching OFM staff. To complement work plans, the Chief Accountant will develop and implement individual training plans which include on-the-job and formal training lessons in Liberia, Ghana and other locations. The Chief Accountant will also provide in-depth training to new LES in Liberia's OFM staff in their professional duties in the areas of budgeting, financial analysis, and vouchering as the Mission expands OFM and implements a comprehensive accounting system. - c) Reporting and Tracking requirements The Chief Accountant will supervise the preparation and reconciliation of in-depth weekly and monthly program and administrative reports which are provided to USAID/W, DOD, State Department, OMB and Congress in order to closely track USAID Liberia's progress. This includes developing and managing an elaborate tracking and data base to ensure USAID data and reports agrees with other USG accounts and transactions. In addition, the Chief Accountant will be required to prepare immediate financial information and reports to support USAID/W, Government of Liberia, DOD, State Department, OMB, Implementing Partners, and all other relevant parties. d) Coordination with USAID/W and the West Africa ROFM Incumbent will coordinate accounting and financial operations with USAID/W as well, the West Africa Regional Mission to assure that the accounting ledgers, reports, and supporting records and files are current, accurate, and complete. This will include taking any appropriate actions to correct internal control weaknesses while ensuring the most cost effective operations are in place. e) Leads the quarterly accrual and 1311 review process to ensure it is accurate & timely. f) Other Responsibilities as assigned by the Controller Substantial reliance is placed on this professional to independently plan and carry out the specific activities detailed above in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities.