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Deputy Chief of Party/Finance and Operations - Higher Education Project - Kabul, Afghanistan

11:41:00 AM

Deputy Chief of Party/Finance and Operations
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Application Deadline: October 1, 2012 or until a suitable candidate is found

Summary
The University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a Deputy Chief of Party/Finance and Operations (DCOP/FO) for a USAID-funded Higher Education Project in Afghanistan. This project is part of an overall program to rehabilitate and strengthen the capacity of the higher education system in Afghanistan. The project works directly with Universities and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to improve professional and institutional capacity, strengthen the policy framework, and facilitate the development of a coordinated national educational strategy.
We seek a skilled and experienced professional who is familiar with Afghanistan or other conflict-affected regions, and who has previous experience in management of large-scale USAID-funded projects. The DCOP/Finance & Operations (DCOP/FO) is responsible for all operational and support components of the project including: all financial transactions, procurement, facilities management, equipment and inventory management, the security sub-contract, transportation and any other activity needed to ensure the successful functioning of the technical components. The DCOP/FO is directly responsible for ensuring compliance with all USAID and UMass financial and procurement regulations. The DCOP/FO is expected to ensure an efficient and effective set of project support systems and is responsible for preparing all required financial reporting. Overall, the DCOP/FO will be responsible for ensuring that all areas related to finance and operations are consistent with the cooperative agreement between UMass and USAID and support the timely realization of project objectives.
This is a non-dependent post, with duration of 9 months with a possibility of extension. The position would start on or about October 22, 2012. A full set of benefits is provided including housing in Kabul and regular regional and international leave.
The DCOP/FO will:
  • Ensure that financial, procurement, facilities, equipment, security, and transportation transactions and activities are conducted in ways that comply with the cooperative agreement between UMass and USAID.
  • Report directly to UMass on financial matters and hold final signatory power on all procurements and expenditures, based on protocols established in the UMass Financial Risk Management Plan.
  • Implement the “UMass Code of Business Ethics and Conduct” and ensure that the project abides by its policies
  • Ensure procurement integrity by first of all implementing the “HEP Procurement Committee Management Guidelines” and thereafter complying with the regulations contained
  • Ensure compliance with all USAID and UMass financial and procurement regulations.
  • Ensure an efficient and effective set of support systems that support the technical tasks of the project and prepare all required financial reporting.
  • Recommend to UMass if or when audits may be desired for specific vendors or activities.
  • Before engaging in any procurement, the SDFO should confer with the UMass Home Office on the most appropriate contractual vehicle for the contemplated acquisition.
  • Work with the MoHE as is appropriate to help them develop management systems and increase their capacity to directly oversee future donor support for Higher Education.
  • Directly supervise the Finance Manager, Operations Manager and staff of the Information Technology department
  • Oversee the implementation, completion and closeout of the finance and operations components of the project.
C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualifications:
1) Master's degree in area related to finance and management.
2) Understanding of U.S. government rules and regulations (FAR, AIDAR, etc.) relating to project procurement.
3) Significant experience working in developing countries particularly in conflict-affected regions.
4) Demonstrated leadership and effective management of project level procurement systems and risk mitigation procedures.
5) Evidence of progressively responsible experience in financial and operations management in international development settings.
6) Experience working on large-scale USAID-funded projects is desirable.
7) Demonstrated strong analytical, managerial, logistical, leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical.
Knowledge of political and social features of Afghanistan or similar post-conflict countries and the issues involved in managing finance and operations in these settings.
How to Apply
CVs and letters of interest must be submitted to the following email address for consideration. To facilitate review, please include names and contact information for relevant references. The Deputy Chief of Party/Finance and Operations title must be indicated in the subject line of your e-mail.
We thank all individuals for their interest, however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Center for International Education
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
http:/www.umass.edu/cie

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