Deputy Chief of Party-Finance and Operations, USAID Climate Resilient WASH Activity – Ethiopia

Job Code: LN003194

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors globally, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, water resources management, community engagement, urban resilience, and institutional capacity building. 

Project Description

The purpose of the five-year USAID Climate Resilient (CR) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity is to support accelerated access to inclusive and resilient WASH services targeting lowlands areas.

The Activity will be based in Ethiopia and target the lowland areas of Afar, Oromia, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).

The Activity will work to fulfill this purpose through four complementary intermediate results:

1. Professionalize and expand quality climate-resilient water services;

2. Increase sustainable access to and use of sanitation and hygiene products and services, including for menstrual health and hygiene;

3. Improve gender power dynamics;

4. Strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient water and sanitation services. 

Position Description: 

RTI is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party-Finance and Operations for the USAID CR WASH Activity in Ethiopia. The DCOP-Finance and Operations will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management, procurement, HR, grants, and operations, including systems implementation, budgeting, expenditure tracking, security, IT and financial reporting. They will be responsible for ensuring the project’s compliance with both RTI and USAID policies, procedures, rules and regulations. They will lead coordination in the areas stated above with home office, USAID, and partner organizations. The DCOP-Finance and Operations will lead budget development and monitoring, award monitoring and compliance, procurement, and logistics for RTI in the field. They will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will report to the Chief of Party. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee security, human resources, finance, grants, procurement, subcontracts, operations, and IT support to the Activity for this large, complex project and ensure compliance with RTI and USAID procedures, requesting direction from RTI home office business partners as needed.

• Establish and maintain sound and transparent accounting and fiscal control procedures; be able to detect and swiftly deal with any issues of fraud and/or corruption.

• Ensure compliance of financial and operations systems with RTI policies and procedures, USAID rules and regulations, and local laws.

• Works closely with COP, technical staff, pertinent RTI home office staff and appropriate USAID staff when necessary to ensure project resources are effectively and efficiently budgeted, analyzed, disbursed, monitored and reported in achieving project objectives and results.

• When necessary, work closely with key RTI staff, government officials, contractors and USAID staff to ensure full compliance with local laws (i.e., taxes, shipping, customs, registration) while integrating with current systems and procedures. 

• Liaise between RTI headquarters and the field office on financial and procurement matters.

• Regularly analyze and forecast project expenses.

• Advise senior leadership on financial and operations-related matters

• Provide training and guidance on procurement, managing project expenses to annual work plan and contract budgets.

• Oversee preparation and submission of monthly financial statements (including expenses, receivable and payables).

• Ensure timely submission of expense reports, bank reconciliations and wire transfer requests to corporate headquarters in the US.

• Supervise the project’s administrative staff, providing oversight to the overall project management and human resources functions.

• Provide oversight and management of program subcontracts and grants.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual expenditures and prepare pipeline estimates for the project.

• Prepare biweekly cash requirements, monitor cash flow and reconcile cash accounts in order to maintain appropriate cash balances.

• Liaise with internal and external auditors in the review of project financial management.

• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming and ensure all staff understand and adhere to RTI staff safety and security policies and plans.

• Supervise and train other project-based administrative, finance, and procurement staff.

• Coordinate and oversee the operation of other project offices.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 15 years of experience, Master's degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8 years of progressively responsible experience and expertise in the implementation of large and complex projects; Lowland region experience preferred.

• Proven leadership of similar sized international donor programs with experience in strategic planning, management, supervision, procurement, and budgeting.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable USAID procurement, assistance, rules and regulations, as well as administrative policies and techniques.

• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access plus working knowledge of accounting and procurement software (particularly QuickBooks) is preferred. 

• Proven ability to work under pressure with multiple concurrent demands.

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more local languages strongly preferred.

• Ability to travel and work throughout the lowland of Ethiopia.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates may apply though THIS LINK

Women applicants are highly encouraged to apply.