CORUS International
In anticipation of a new multi-year USAID Rural and Peri-urban Sanitation Project, IMA World Health is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party/Operations.
Corus International is a family of organizations which believes that those who were born into impossible circumstances deserve the opportunity for a better life. Corus was formed through the strategic merger of IMA World Health (operating as a public health organization since 1960), and Lutheran World Relief (operating as a livelihoods organization since 1945), and today includes the smaller entities of Charlie Goldsmith Associates, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Coffee. Corus International works in over 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with a primary focus on health, livelihoods, and emergency response.
Corus International’s largest country portfolio is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where IMA World Health has worked alongside the Congolese government, donors, and a variety of local and international partners since 2000 with a staff of over 200. Programs revitalize the country’s health system, improve WASH access and systems, prevent and respond to SGBV, promote clean energy, and improve the health of the population. The portfolio includes a focus on both sustainable development and humanitarian assistance activities and operates out of two base offices in Kinshasa and Goma.
The Deputy Chief of Party/Operations (DCOP/Ops) will directly report to the Chief of Party and will be responsible for all financial management and administration of the program. S/he will develop and oversee the implementation of policies, procedures, and systems for administration and financial support services and human resources management, while at the same time ensuring that the program’s support interventions are in compliance with national and international standards, IMA World Health internal policies and procedures, and USAID financial compliance standards and regulations. In addition, s/he will be responsible for financial management and review of project sub-grants and sub-awardees, and also provide oversight of project operations, procurement, and logistics.
Actual hiring is contingent upon successful agreement award and USAID approval.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all aspects of program financial management and operations, including financial and accounting systems implementation; grants management; forecasting; budgeting; procurement; payroll expenditure tracking; and financial reporting
- Collaborate with the COP, Country Financial Officer and Corus Headquarters in the development of program financial, accounting, procurement, and HR systems, including policies and procedures, in accordance with USAID rules and regulations and Corus/IMA policies
- Develop program budgets; oversee effective budget planning; develop and implement budgeting and financial reporting processes to meet project financial management, forecasting, and reporting requirements
- Supervise grants management staff; institute compliance to Corus and USAID policies and procedures as it relates to managing grants provided to private and public sector entities
- Supervise project financial staff; institute staff development plans for training and capacity development; oversee staff recruitment
- Coordinate administrative support for program implementation, including project start-up and field office set-up, while ensuring systems are streamlined between administration, finance, accounting, procurement, HR, and programs
- Supervise the preparation of periodic financial and budget reports and ensure timely submission to USAID
- Help draft, review, and negotiate contracts (including service agreements, office leases, purchase orders, etc.), ensuring all required contractual terms and conditions are included while obtaining the best value to the project
- Manage procurement of office space, office equipment, vehicles, and other items, in compliance with FAR and AIDAR procurement regulations
- Support logistical operations, including transport, staff travel, IT, and communication services
- Establish and ensure strong working relationships between USAID, field offices, local partners, and HQ, providing field oversight to project districts in finance and administration, as needed
- Support and monitor local partners and sub-recipients to ensure sound financial management, operations, and compliance; contribute to capacity building of local partners in administration and financial management
- Oversee all program human resources management, policies, and procedures; oversee local staff recruitment processes, including participating in interviews (as needed) and salary negotiations, and in preparing employment contracts
- Participate in development of local employee benefits and allowance packages, in accordance with local labor statutes and IMA HR policies
- Ensure project expenses are reasonable, cost-effective, and comply with USAID procurement rules and regulations (FAR and AIDAR); support donor auditing procedures
- Ensure that contract deliverables are achieved within budget while effectively managing fiduciary risk within the project as well as downstream among partners and suppliers; promptly advise the COP of all potential fiduciary risks; develop monitoring and troubleshooting strategies to address risks and financial management
- Lead implementation of changes in operations in response to changes in the local legal environment, or in response to new operating contexts and financial management needs
- Ensure that all financial management work is performed to the highest ethical and professional standards and in accordance with IMA, USAID, and program guidelines
- Travel in-country to field offices, local partners, sub-recipients, grantees, etc., providing technical assistance on financial and operational matters
- Other relevant tasks as assigned
Qualifications
- Minimum of a Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field; additional accounting certification preferred (e.g., AICPA, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), etc.)
- Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible administrative and financial management experience on large, complex donor-funded international development projects, including financial and accounting systems development, financial monitoring, budget development, procurement, operations and logistics, IT, and HR management and administration
- Minimum of six (6) years of leadership/supervisory experience managing finance, accounting, operations, and administrative staff and teams
- Substantial experience in financial management of consortia of local implementing partners, especially in multi-sectoral programs
- Extensive experience in financial management of USAID-funded projects of similar scope and size (cooperative agreements and/or contracts); strong understanding of USG compliance rules and regulations (including FAR/AIDAR acquisition regulations) and Cost Accounting Standards; demonstrated experience with USAID/USG financial reporting requirements
- Experience overseeing project operations, procurement, and logistics; extensive experience in the development and management of large project budgets
- Experience overseeing management of sub-grants or sub-contracts, and building the capacity of public and private sector entities to adhere to USG grants management requirements
- Experience working in the Democratic Republic of Congo and experience working in fragile or unstable, non-permissive environments both highly desirable
- Knowledge of and experience with financial accounting software, including USAID financial dashboards (DATIM, DevResults, etc.) and related financial management software and applications; high degree of proficiency in relevant software packages such as Adobe, MS Word, Excel, etc.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, versatility, and integrity; excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communications skills; demonstrated supervisory skills and ability to work well as a member of a team
- Professional level fluency in French and English, both oral and written
- Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in the various sites in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, as well as internationally, as needed
Based on the final solicitation for this opportunity and target geographic areas, this position will be based in either Kinshasa or Goma. The role can be negotiated as an accompanied post for families.