Finance and Operations Director

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Program Operations (PrOps) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Operations teams contribute to realizing this by: ensuring effective project management through supporting project startups, implementation, reporting and financial management as well as closeouts; portfolio coordination: providing a coordinating role across departments in DC that support country offices and programs; working with country teams to develop, refine and pursue their strategies by leveraging technical knowledge (our own and others) and supporting business development as needed; knowledge sharing and learning: enhancing communication between country offices and DC-based teams to ensure better understanding of the diverse operating environments and program approaches.

Position Overview

Pact seeks a Finance and Operations Director for the anticipated USAID-funded Sudan Youth and Women, Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (Sudan STAND) Activity, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. Sudan STAND aims to increase collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to advance the inclusion, participation and leadership of youth and women in Sudan. The activity will apply locally led, problem-driven, adaptive approaches. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity and the position will be based in Khartoum, Sudan. This position is contingent upon award.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party, the Finance and Operations Director is responsible for overall project financial operations. S/he has oversight of project finance and accounting functions; internal control systems and procedures; and forecasting and realigning project budgets as well as office administration, procurement, human resource management and IT support services. The Finance and Operations Director is responsible for training and mentoring staff on policies and procedures, donor regulations, new systems, and financial best practices, as well as working closely with the country office staff and DC personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Manage all aspects of project, finance, accounting, and operations functions.
• Manage all project finances to ensure effective use of resources in order to achieve program objectives in compliance with all donor requirements.
• Lead project financial planning responsibilities, including ensuring alignment of the budget to expected results and ensuring cost-effective use of USAID’s and Pact’s resources.
• Ensure funds expended are compliant with US government regulations and policies.
• Initiate, develop, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the finance and compliance program and its related activities.
• Promote cost efficiency and compliance with all rules and regulations, ensuring effective internal controls and minimizing risks for Pact.
• Identify potential areas of financial and compliance vulnerability and risk and develop or implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues.
• Implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award.
• Ensure proper financial documentation and reporting, establish and provide direction and management of project funds.
• Ensure financial monitoring systems provide timely and relevant reports to Pact staff, including analysis and tracking of grant commitments (i.e. cash advances), obligations, awards and liquidations, to support efficient accountable implementation.
• Analyze financial data with attention to the impact of adaptation on programming.
• Manage the budget, track project spending and prepare financial reports for submission to USAID.
• Mentor and supervise finance, operations, and other staff engaged in the activities noted here.
• Conduct training/orientation for other personnel as needed on efficient, effective financial and internal control systems, budget analysis, policy and procedure awareness, and compliance.
• Ensure that corrective action plans approved by the DC office in response to external or internal audits and other monitoring reviews are implemented as planned and scheduled.
• Ensure financial records organization, retention, and security.

Administrative/ Operational Management

• Provide overall procurement, operational, safety and security, and compliance support to the project; lead and oversee the development, management and complete life cycle of a variety of possible procurement mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, sub-grants, and/or sub-contracts.
• Ensure Administration, procurement and property management policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Pact global policies.
• Oversee management of all office premises, travel, and transportation.
• Develop, implement, and adjust when required the project’s safety and security strategy and protocols, and serves as the point of contact for the person in charge of security at USAID for any issue related to security reports and procedures.
• Serve as a key representative to USAID to ensure that the activity conforms to the United States Government financial, procurement, and auditing requirements.
• Act as a liaison to and ensure effective relationships with relevant donors, Government of Sudan, sub-partners, and other key stakeholders ensuring strong cooperation and collaboration.
• Ensure HR & personnel policies and procedures are in line with best practices and compliant with Pact global policies and local labor law.
• Oversee the management and development of project office HR to ensure a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, and an organizational culture where Pact’s values are practiced.
• Process consultant/employment contracts and dismissals.
• Ensure that the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality are maintained.

Basic Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other relevant fields; or a bachelor’s or certified accounting degree with 10 years of experience.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in accounting, operations, and financial management of large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs in developing countries.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience overseeing the procurement administration and financial management and reporting of a USAID-funded activity, preferably around democracy and governance activities.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of U.S. Government financial and procurement rules and regulations, particularly financial reporting and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in developing and managing large budgets, including proficiency in relevant computer applications and databases.
• Knowledge of U.S. government references including OMB Circulars (e.g. A-122), 22 CFR 226 and 22 CFR 228, ADS, FAR, AIDAR, CAS, FFATA, DSSR, and FTR.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, interpersonal skills, and team-building experience.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Demonstrable experience managing grants, contracts or other mechanisms that allow projects to seamlessly change course in response to new information.
• Experience working with civil society organizations or media actors in Sudan and/or in the East Africa or Horn of Africa regions.
• Ability to travel within Sudan and occasionally internationally when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 allow.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with accounting software such as Serenic, Navigator, ERPs, ACCPAC, or others.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Sudan.
• Expertise and experience in one or more areas; operations, human resources, logistics, or IT.
• Sudan nationals are encouraged to apply.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.