WAMERO Regional Finance Advisor

Job Summary:

This position will work in FHI 360’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Europe and LAC Regional Office. The Regional Office provides a country-centered approach to its partner countries by utilizing an expanded team of enterprise services establishing both the operating platform and shared services that support project implementation. The team is comprised of experts who provide programmatic, financial, human resources, information technology, and contractual strategic leadership in the geographic area of intervention.
 

This position will manage the LAC Regional finance team and provide support as required to the Region-wide team (including MENA and Europe). The portfolio's wide geographical span requires support in two time zones, so this position will be responsible for management and accountability of the team supporting LAC. The Associate Director will also oversee and guide procurement and grant quality assurance functions. The position is responsible for ensuring good stewardship of the portfolio while maintaining policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure compliance to audit, generally accepted accounting principles, and ethical standards. Provide leadership and technical guidance for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP), GAS (Government Auditing Standards), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).   Develops financial risk management and control strategies.  Reviews and approves recommendations for financial planning and control, providing relevant fiscal information to the regional office leadership team.  Develops and manages financial analysis models.  Develops and implements effective and efficient business processes and procedures. Develops formal reporting system to communicate results of audit activities to management and regulatory compliance agencies.

Accountabilities:

• Provides strategic leadership to the LAC supporting team of financial analysts and accountants in the regional office.
• Oversees the Quality Assurance team for the region supporting grants and procurement actions
• Able to work with multiple country finance departments.
• Prepares financial guidance to field offices through memos, updates to policies, and procedure manuals.
• Assigns and audits the work of the finance department, while providing guidance to staff.
• Monitors and updates the departmental budget.
• Provide direct financial support to country offices in the whole region as needed.
• Engages in the more critical and confidential aspects of financial analysis.
• Provides final decision-making on projects and problems that may cross functional boundaries.
• Responsible for the development of policies, systems, special financial studies, etc. of major importance.
• Duties require broad conceptual judgment, initiative, and the ability to deal with a wide range of finance issues.
• Works with confidential data, which if disclosed, might have significant internal and/or external effects.
• Manages the operational and strategic functions for the finance department to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Provides recommendations and consults with management on financial performance and enterprise risk management.
• Develops and implements process improvement plans for the Regional Office to ensure financial controls and operational procedures.
• Provides leadership in financial reporting for annual budget planning, audit reviews, and assessments processes.
• Keeps abreast of the latest trends in financial accounting and mentors staff.
• Develops capacity of team performance and drive for excellence.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with accounting, financial controls, and financial information systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated organizational and presentation skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Must have excellent organizational, supervisory, leadership, and managerial skills.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership and advice to the team, exchange information, and collaborate with colleagues and peers within and outside the organization.
• Possesses a full understanding of the organizational structure, policies and practices, and the impact on own area and the entire organization.
• Ability to influence, motivate, negotiate, and work well with others.
• Is well-versed in state and federal laws and regulations that have an impact on financial analysis and management controls.
• Has significant experience with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and experience with automated financial reporting, government accounting practices, Cost Accounting