Director of finance & operations

Chemonics seeks a Director of finance & operations (DFO) for the anticipated USAID-funded Feed the Future Resilient Food Systems Activity in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The activity aims to increase the income and nutritional status of the targeted population through an inclusive and sustainable food and market systems-oriented approach that facilitates agriculture-led growth and utilization of nutritious food​. Specific objectives of the activity include: (1) Promote inclusive and sustainable local systems and practices for agriculture-led economic growth; (2) Increase sources of resilience among people, communities, and systems; (3) Increase the year-round consumption of safe, diverse, and nutritious food; and (4) Effective integration of prioritized cross cutting focus areas within every aspect, approach and initiative of the activity​. Moreover, the geographic focus on the activity will be the Kasai Central and Kongo Central regions. The Director of finance & operations will oversee the financial management of the activity, including the supervision of procurement, finance, human resources, grants, and administrative staff. This role ensures that internal financial management controls are adequate and comply with USAID policies and procedures, as well as that financial processes and controls meet generally recognized accounting standards. The DFO will manage all bookkeeping, bank accounts, and cash flow, ensuring project funds are used appropriately. Responsibilities also include tracking project expenses, overseeing and approving monthly financial reports, managing quarterly accrual projections, and leading annual budgeting processes. Moreover, the DFO will also manage the financial and administrative aspects of all sub-agreements and serve as the principal point of contact for USAID in these areas, keeping the Chief of Party (COP) informed of all communications with USAID. This position will be based in ​Kinshasa, DRC. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

Operations:

• Support the COP develop and implement management systems for project planning, reporting, and performance management; property and technical procurement systems; and personnel management;
• Manage daily work of other finance and operations project team members and provide performance feedback;
• Support technical implementation through reviewing of sub/contracts or sub-recipient modifications, processing local subcontractor payments, and managing subcontracts and leases with landlords, warehouses, and other vendors, as well as relevant software licenses;
• Ensure compliance with U.S. government regulations, Chemonics’ corporate policies, laws of the DRC, and any supplemental policies specific to the DRC;
• Develop and implement systems that assist supervisors in the management of their supervisees and provide regular and constructive feedback to project staff;
• Lead recruitment efforts and anticipate future recruitment needs. This includes conducting initial CV reviews, participating in interview panels, and onboarding staff as needed;
• Manage annual performance evaluation and salary increase processes;
• Oversee the management of local subcontracts and grants under contract for compliance and performance. This should include coordinating with technical staff to finalize the related scope and manage the performance of contractors or grantees against deliverables; and
• Keep up to date on evolving in-country security situation, circulate security updates to relevant in-country staff, and ensure adherence to security guidelines.

Finance:

• Support the COP to develop and implement management systems for financial management;
• Ensure proper administration of the activity through the supervision of the project finance, grants, procurement, and administration teams. Track and report project financial management indicators on a quarterly basis;
• Draft annual and ad hoc budgets, including the estimation of the resources, LOE, and in-country travel necessary to implement current and future work plan activities;
• Lead the development of the grants manual and addendum;
• Oversee and manage grant activities and procurement in compliance with the grants and subcontracts manuals, USAID, and U.S. government regulations; and
• Develop and oversee procedures in evaluating applications for grant and subcontract funding, including participation as a member of the Grants/Subcontracts Evaluation Committee.

Qualifications:

• ​​A master’s degree or higher in finance, business administration, procurement, or related area;
• Experience in managing grants with international organizations, preferably USAID;
• Direct experience of at least five (5) years in supervision of staff and team management;
• At least 5 years of experience with U.S. Government financial management instruments, policies, financial and operational procedures, and requirements;
• Proven expertise in finance, accounting, and auditing, monitoring of grant compliance and management, and the establishment of internal controls;
• Knowledge of USAID administrative, management, and reporting procedures and systems, along with strategic program planning, management, supervision, and budgeting expertise;
• Prior experience managing a team of high performing staff working in multiple locations/field offices;
• Experience working in a nutrition or sustainable food and market systems initiative preferred;
• ​​Experience working in DRC or the region is highly preferred; and
• ​Fluent English and French oral and written communication skills required.