Financial Analyst Wanted at US EMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM

Closing Date of The Position: April 02, 2017

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 17/056

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources

POSITION: Financial Analyst

OPENING DATE: March 17, 2017

CLOSING DATE: April 02, 2017

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR):  FSN- 11; (Step 1- TZS 69,422,538 through Step 13- 104,133,810 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 4*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position.  The “Open To” category should notbe confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement. 

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Financial Analyst at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Financial Analyst (FA) position provides a full range of financial management services to his/her assigned Development Objective (DO) Team and the Mission at large. The FA acts as the “one stop” customer service representative between OFM and numerous internal and external customers including Senior Mission Management; Host Country agency representatives;

implementing partner organizations; and other international donor agencies regarding financial analysis and accounting for projects implemented by the Mission. Specific services performed include: (a) Pre-award and financial reviews of USAID implementers including Government to Government ( G2G) assessments on Government of Tanzania (GOT) systems; (b)

training and advisory services to USAID program staff and partner staff on financial management aspects of USAID activities; (c) coordination and supervision of third-party audits of implementing partners; (d) maintains financial reporting systems and performs analysis for Mission management use; (e) supports Mission’s G2G strategy by serving as a resource

person for both USAID and GOT systems. The incumbent works closely with Technical Office Directors and functions as the Controller’s delegated representative. As such, the Financial Analyst (FA) is empowered to conduct a wide range of functions. The FA works closely with other donors, Government Of Tanzania (GOT) officials, and USAID/W to identify and

implement opportunities for strengthening capacity of the GOT entities, including oversight bodies (NAO, PPRA, Ethics Secretariat, etc.), as well as capacity of local implementing partners, and audit firms, which are frequently called on both to monitor and improve performance of local organizations and government institutions.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Support to Technical Teams, Mission Management, and Senior Mission Staff 90%

a) Represents the Controller as the primary point of contact for all financial management services provided by Office of Finance Management (OFM) to the assigned Development Objectives (DO) Team. Advises Mission personnel on the current and future fiscal status of projects and programs under their jurisdiction. This includes providing financial management guidance, advice, and usable information to activity managers, Contracting/Agreement Officers; Program representatives (CORs/AORs) and all levels of Mission management. The FA is the DO team’s resource for complex financial analysis, USG/USAID financial management regulations, reporting, and accurate budgeting.

b) Functions as a full team member for the assigned DO team(s). In this capacity, the FA participates in all DO team meetings and in the development and design of DO strategies and activities, including the selection of implementation mechanisms. Provides budget and financial advice including technical guidance on USAID procedures, regulations and payment policies, as well as accounting and financial requirements. Assists the DO team management in the

interpretation and analysis of historical and projected financial information based on the Phoenix accounting system. Trains, explains and clarifies financial management issues to team members.

c) Provides full range of financial, audit and accounting management support to assigned DO team(s) including review and clearance of project agreements, grants, Implementation Letters (ILs) and other implementing documents, ensuring internal consistency with project design, adequacy of financial forecasting, and conformity with USAID and Mission regulations. Reviews Action Memorandums to the Director and Activity Approval Documents, ensures funding

correctness and availability for unilateral/bilateral agreements, contracts, grants, travel authorizations, Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) transactions and all other commitment/obligating documents.

d) Formulates and analyzes project budgets for accuracy. Responsible for the development and presentation of quarterly pipeline/implementation reviews, consisting of analysis of the current financial status of the DO team’s overall activities and individual agreements, including burn rates and future funding requirements based on projections. In coordination with the Program Office, the FA monitors the DO team’s Operating Year Budget (OYB) and its timely execution. Monitors the DO team’s compliance with Agency forward funding guidelines.

e) Performs pre-award surveys, financial reviews and PFMRAF assessments of current and potential local partners in accordance with the annual plan, and writes reports to inform Mission decision-makers. Advises on the development strategy with a focus on strengthening accountability, transparency and sustainability of the host government as well as that of local CPA firms and NGO’s and CSO’s. The Financial Analyst is the key OFM representative in terms of providing consultative and capacity building expertise to grantees, contractors and partner-country beneficiaries.

Performs project site visits to monitor the financial and accountability performance of aid partners, assuring that implementation plans and procedures are being applied, and that appropriate corrective measures are implemented.

g) Leads DO teams in proper stewardship of USG funds. Reviews unexpended fund balances and makes recommendations on appropriate de-obligation actions. Works with DO team members and implementing partners on funding, reimbursements, and expenditure reporting, as well as proper documentation and reporting requirements. Coordinates the DO team’s quarterly accrual submission to ensure compliance with Agency standards. Reviews and monitors program advances.

h) Coordinates the recipient-contracted audit program on behalf of the assigned DO. Assists in development of the annual audit plan, audit scopes of work, coordinates audits of partners, participates in audit entrance and exit conferences, and ensures the audit plan is carried out for their assigned portfolio. The FA develops action plans, drafts external communications, and ensures that audits are completed and audit recommendations are closed within the required timeframes. Advises DO team of all audit issues affecting team goals.

i) Other duties as assigned.

2) USAID Forward and G2G Responsibilities 10%

a) FA advises Mission management on development strategy with a focus on strengthening accountability, transparency and sustainability of GOT financial and management systems. Requires an expert understanding of USAID systems, requirements, and capacity-building tools as well as understanding of GOT systems, requirements, and capacity constraints, from GOT central level government to the district level.

b) Maintains close working relationships to relevant GOT officials to maintain expert and current understanding of GOT financial and management systems. Coordinates Mission’s G2G assessment work in compliance with current Agency policy, drafts Scopes of Work for PFMRAF Assessments, participates in the same and maintains current information for the Mission on GOT systems.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

Education: 
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required. Professional Certification in Accounting(i.e. CPA or equivalent) is also required.

Experience:
Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in professional financial management and analysis, budgeting, auditing, and accounting are required. Must have extensive experience in use of automated financial management and computer systems. Experience with and knowledge of GOT governmental financial and management systems is required. (will be tested)

Language:  
Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (writing, reading and speaking) is required. (This will be tested)

Skills and Abilities:  
Excellent writing skills are required to prepare audit and technical reports. The ability to work effectively in a team environment, to adapt, and to achieve consensus is required. Strong IT skills are required to effectively understand systems and present info to management is required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities can be obtained on our website and/or by contacting the Human Resources Office usaidtzlesapps@usaid.gov

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP**

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered.  Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

NOTE: ALL INTERNAL APPLICANTS SHOULD USE THEIR OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESSES (you@usaid.gov, MneMK@state.gov, etc) WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above)
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Bachelor’s degree.
4. For Tanzanian Nationals:  Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voter ID
5. For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport.

WHERE TO APPLY:  Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via usaidtzlesapps@usaid.gov

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.