Chief of Party / Financial Management Capacity Development

Position Description

The Chief of Party will be located in Ukraine and will engage in activities to provide technical assistance to qualified local audit firms to enable them to provide quality consulting, audit and other services to local organizations and to USAID.

Project Description

The purpose of the anticipated two-year USAID-funded Financial Management Capacity Development Initiative (FMCDI) is to build the financial and operational capacity of local partners in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus to improve their ability to manage awards and to implement USAID programs. The goal is also to improve the quality and range of services available on the local markets for financial management and operational capacity development.

The following illustrative activities may be implemented:

• Training - The Initiative will assess training needs and procure or develop targeted trainings for local NGOs and/or audit firms in areas such as (1) USAID Rules and Regulations, (2) Internal Controls, (3) Indirect Cost Recovery, (4) Cash Flow and Operational Budgeting, (5) USAID Recipient Contracted Audits, and (6) Accounting Software Alternatives.
• Consulting - The Initiative shall support local audit firms providing technical assistance to local partner organizations in areas which may include: (1) development of policies and procedures manuals, (2) reforming the organization structure to improve segregation of duties, (3) development of internal control procedures, (4) improving human resource capacity, (5) strengthening financial and accounting systems, (6) improving financial management capability, (7) improving procurement systems, (8) developing administrative and support functions.

Responsibilities

• Consult with USAID in design, implementation, and documentation of financial management and organizational capacity development activities.
• Execute and manage agreements with local audit firms to provide capacity building services to local organizations and to conduct pre-award surveys and financial reviews for USAID.
• Provide targeted trainings and learning resources to audit firms and local organizations in areas such as USAID rules and regulations, internal controls, indirect cost recovery, cash flow and operational budgeting and recipient contracted audits.
• Supervise local staff hired to support capacity development activities and provide day-to-day project management.
• Consult with USAID to develop and implement annual work plans.
• Monitor and evaluate project activities and report results to USAID on a quarterly or as needed basis.

Qualifications

• University degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field is required. A CPA or equivalent certification is also required.
• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in professional accounting or auditing.
• Experience working in the Former Soviet Union highly desirable.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and build consensus across diverse sets of stakeholders.
• Experience in client relationship management, project reporting and management.
• Prior experience working with USAID funded programs is required
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and training skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Organization Description

SSG Advisors is an international consulting firm based in Burlington, Vermont, which works with a variety of government and commercial clients on market-driven sustainable development solutions around the world. Since 2005, we have completed assignments in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. We are a dynamic and rapidly growing firm, offering great career opportunities for dedicated and experienced development professionals.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and 2 references to jobs@ssg-advisors.com. Please include “FMCDI Chief of Party” in the email subject line, and save documents (cover letter, resume, and references) in 1 PDF as ‘Last Name_First Name.pdf’ (e.g., Smith_Jane.pdf). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please. SSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.