2021-06-17

Grants and Finance Officer – Baydhabo – Bay Region Somalia

Baydhabo, Bay Region Somalia
Posted on June 17, 2021

Creative Associates International

Grants and Finance Officer – Baydhabo – Bay Region Somalia

Somalia Bar ama Baro, BAB “Teach or Learn” Program

Vacancy Announcement

Position Title: Grants and Finance Officer

Position Location: Baydhabo – Bay Region Somalia

Duration of Employment: Full-Time

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic development and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Summary:

The USAID/Somalia Bar Ama Baro program works to increase access to quality education for a targeted number of out-of-school children and youth (ages 8-15) in specific regions of Somalia. The Program will work to increase student enrollment in alternative education program sites, improve their safety, monitor acquisition of literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills among the learners who enroll in them, and enhance the Federal Government of Somalia’s capacity to regulate them.

Position Summary:

The Grants and Finance Officer will support the Operation and Finance Director with oversight of all financial management and grant activities, including ensuring efficient and proper controls for USAID finance and grant compliance and reporting; coordinating training and grants administration with grantees; and reviewing and submitting financial reports as required for each grant.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Grants & Finance Officer will report directly to Operations and Finance Director based in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Primary Responsibilities:

Grants Management

Support the grant administration process along with Grants Manager (GM) and ensure all process are in accordance to the approved Grant Manual (GM) and client requirements.
Mange the grants process in SMART.
Support the Grants Manager in Registration of organization in SMART who has limited or no access to internet.
Enter applications in SMART which are submitted in hard copy in response to the solicitation to ensure all grants records are in the system and remaining grant processes are conducted via SMART.
Keeps track of grantees reporting schedule and ensure all required reports are per agreement and are submitted on timely manner;
Monitoring visits to grantees and provide technical support
Facilitate discussions and sharing feedback on the reports provided by technical/financial team with grantees as required;
Main records of all grantees in SMART for future reference and auditing purpose;
Be able to generate report from system as requested by Grants Manager or project management;
Be able to train applicants/grantees on how to use SMART (if grantees decide to submit their applications/reports online);
Periodically review SMART to ensure all required documents are saved on SMART;
Any other responsibility assigned by supervisor.

Financial Management

Review cash and bank payment vouchers, tracking advances issued to staff.
Review and ensure real-time data entry into accounting software.
Prepare bank reconciliations on bi and monthly basis.
Preparation and disbursement of allowances to the trainees in timely manner.
Initial review of grants budgets submitted by potential grantees and provide feedback to the Director of Operations and Finance.
Closely monitor grants and bring any potential over/under spending to the attention of the Director of Operations and Finance.
Assist in conducting pre-award assessment surveys of potential grantees before authorizing award in order to ensure their capacity and capability of handling donor’s funds.
Ensure that all accounting data is updated, reconciled and fully supported with backup docs.
Ensure funds’ availability and coordinate with Director of Operations and Finance on timely wire processing to the regional office.
Ensure compliance with the Country local laws, particularly on withholding taxes.
Review and ensure withholding taxes and timely deposit into government treasury.
Any other tasks may assign by the supervisor.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree of Finance or professional financial management or grant management qualification is preferred;

Minimum three (3) years’ experience in grant and financial management, including disbursements and reporting and four (2) years of general work experience.
Demonstrated experience in financial administration, budget, and cost control management is essential;
Knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations and previous experience working on USAID-funded projects is preferred;
Excellent record keeping and documentation skills;
Good communication and interpersonal skills;
Advanced knowledge of spoken and written English required; and

Must have exceptional oral and written communications skills
Must be professionally proficient in written and spoken English.
Must be fluent in written and spoken Somali language.
Must be able to demonstrate leadership and team-building skills
Must be able to engage positively and productively with a diverse population of team members, stakeholders and government counterparts.
Must have a valid Somali passport, or at least valid Somali national ID card and work permit, or obtain within 90-days of contract signing, to facilitate living and working in Somali and work- related travel throughout BAB Program area of implementation.
Experience of working on Donor funded projects, preferably with USAID.