2Vacant Positions advertisement: USAID/Mali Office of Financial Management – Financial Analysts

For detailed minimum requirements, applicants must refer to the Full Statement of Duties and the qualification requirements available on https://www.usaid.gov/mali/work-with-us/careers   or https://ml.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

REF No.: 72068824R10010 (must be inserted in the subject line of the email)

GRADE LEVEL: 24,740,169 – 38,347,257 FCFA equivalent to FSN-11. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mali. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating country national (CCN) – an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

BASIC FUNCTIONS: 

The Financial Analyst (FA) positions, located in USAID/Mali, are members of the USAID/Mali Office of Financial Management. The FAs serve as the financial management experts for all USAID/Mali staff and as the OFM Controller’s representative regarding program activities in support of technical teams. They are empowered to perform financial management functions to achieve the program objectives including: (1) carrying out the financial aspects of implementing USAID programs and activities, (2) assessing their internal financial operations and practices, and (3) providing technical assistance to support the capacity development of local organizations and host government entities. The FAs receive technical direction and support from the OFM Supervisory Financial Analyst and maintains close working relations with the OFM Accounting and Voucher Examiner Sections, as well as with the OFM Controller/Deputy Controller, with whom they address major policy and operational issues.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. 1.  Program Funds Management/Monitoring/Financial Analysis 35% 

The Financial Analysts perform financial analyses in close collaboration with Mission technical teams and makes recommendations on utilization of activity funds and pipeline management. The incumbents prepare and/or reviews financial sections of GLAAS requisitions, contracts, implementation letters, grants, cooperative agreements, Development Objective Agreement (DOAG), and other activity documents; perform funds control and funds availability functions; verify accuracy of financial accounting data and appropriateness of documentation presented to support accounting entries; identify and recommend adjusting entries to the accounts to bring the activity/program pipelines to accurate levels; review program activity vouchers, including advance requests and liquidations; and make appropriate recommendations to OFM’s payment section. The incumbents prepare and leads the quarterly financial review (QFR) to monitor and manage pipelines, obligations, and procurement plans. They participate in the Mission’s semi-annual technical teams’ performance reviews by providing relevant financial information and responding to inquiries and/or advising on funds disposition. The FAs perform a detailed 1311 review prepared by the technical teams on a quarterly basis (or more often if necessary) in order to validate obligations, earmarks, and commitment balances and assists in the Mission’s 1311 certification. They assist the technical teams in performing financial close-out of agreements and prepares appropriate accounting documents such as journal vouchers to adjust accounting data as necessary. They perform a detailed review of the accrual estimates prepared quarterly by the Contracting Officer’s Representatives/Agreement Officer’s Representatives (CORs/AORs) and ensure the documents have appropriate details to support the accrual amounts. The FAs collaborate with the technical teams to prepare and monitor the Program Support, Objective 6 budgets.

1. Capacity Reviews, Assessments, and Audits 25% 

The Financial Analysts play a key role in risk mitigation and management for USAID/Mali. They assess prospective recipients’ administrative and institutional abilities to implement programs/activities; determine appropriateness and effectiveness of prospective recipients’ operational procedures and cash management practices; use professional judgment to provide an opinion on the confidence to be placed on the recipients’ internal controls; and offer advice to recipients on internal controls deficiencies and vulnerabilities and proposes solutions to identified problems; collaborate with the COR or AOR to develop Special Award Conditions to address and strengthen an organization’s administrative systems; perform site visits and financial reviews to monitor the financial and accounting performance of recipients and assure that implementation plans and procedures are being applied and that appropriate corrective measures are taken in a timely manner; write field trip reports to detail findings and recommendations. The incumbents participate as a member of the Missions’ Government-to-Government Assistance Teams (GAT) and conducts assessments on host government entities and ministries in accordance with USAID’s ADS 220 guidelines. They assist in the development of government risk mitigation plans and monitors implementation of the plans. The FAs implement and maintain the Audit Management Program for the Mission and coordinates with the Audit Management Officer (AMO) in accordance with USAID guidance and the General Accountability Office (GAO) Yellow Book; identify and control the Mission’s annual audit inventory and audit plan; coordinate the audit contracting process for the technical teams to include reviewing audit scopes of work; serve as the audit liaison for ongoing audits; monitor and clear audit recommendations by resolving financial and related problems and preparing supporting documentation for auditors; conduct foreign audit environment appraisals and audit firm assessments. The FAs are the point of contacts for all audit matters with the Regional Inspector General in Pretoria (RIG/Dakar).

1. Internal and External Financial Management Capacity Building 20% 

The Financial Analysts provide technical guidance and capacity building on financial management procedures, accounting control requirements and local accounts financing to the technical teams and partners (host country officials, recipients, partners, USAID staff) in accordance with local laws, USAID and USG regulations, and best practices. They conduct organizational capacity assessments (OCAs) with local implementers to help organizations shape and set priorities for actions they can take to strengthen their capacity. They make recommendations on how best to incorporate capacity development activities with partners. They develop and lead capacity building workshops for implementing partners to improve their financial and awards management acumen. As members of the Office of Financial Management the FAs will provide excellent customer service to USAID/Mali staff. They work closely with Mission staff to train and advise on financial management topics, requirements, and regulations. The incumbents train technical office team members and implementing partners using available financial management tools and regulations in coordination with the Supervisory Financial Analyst.

1. Strategy Development/Activity Design & Management Control Program 20% 

The Financial Analysts advise on the development of the strategic objective and results framework by preparing and/or reviewing financial sections of activity and agreement budgets. They advise the technical teams on how to develop the independent government cost estimate (IGCE) for activities. The incumbents provide the technical team pipeline reviews for obligations and serve as Program Managers in the Agency’s procurement system. They participate on activity design teams and serve on technical review panels for new proposals to provide financial management technical expertise. They advise contracting and agreement officers on advances, payment options, and award types based on the FAs’ organizational analysis. The Financial Analysts participate in post award meetings to explain the financial management aspects of the award. They review the financial sections of work plans and provide input to expenditure plans and budgets. The Financial Analysts assist in milestone development for fixed amount awards, review activity budget estimates, and incorporate the risk management plan into the activity design. The Financial Analysts assist the technical teams to conduct their annual Internal Control Assessment in accordance with the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) of 1982 and the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) by: 1) advising on the control environment and how to assess risk, 2) performing testing of controls if deemed necessary, and 3) developing or improving control systems in order to address identified weaknesses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A minimum of university degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting is required.

• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, budgeting, auditing, and/or accounting is required.

• Language Proficiency: Level IV in English and French is required.

• Job Knowledge: A thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, as well as the principles and accepted practices of governmental and business financial accounting, budgeting, and reporting is required. A thorough knowledge of, or the ability to quickly gain such job knowledge as described in their PDs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), AID Acquisition Regulations, USAID accounting systems and procedures, USG contract/grant cost principles and administrative requirements, and audit management procedures, as well as other laws, regulations, and procedures associated with USAID financial management, is required. An understanding of, or the ability to quickly develop an understanding of, how USAID projects are designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated is essential.
• Skills and Abilities: The Financial Analysts must be able to make informed recommendations on institutional capabilities of prospective and/or current implementing organizations and the adequacy of accounting systems and controls; be able to develop and maintain contacts with USAID activity managers in order to ensure programs are carried out effectively; and be able to collect and present facts and recommendations in a clear, concise manner, both orally and in writing. In addition, the Financial Analysts must have a high level of analytical skill and sound judgment in order to effectively manage aspects of the Phoenix financial system to resolve problems, develop queries and reports, and recommend improvements, as well as to analyze relevant data, trends, and documentation for assessment and risk mitigation; be capable of performing under pressure in a mature and responsible manner; to work accurately with attention to detail in order to give precise direction; and to compile/present detailed information in a concise and fully professional manner; have excellent interpersonal and facilitating skills in order to maintain effective working relations and effectively coordinate actions; and to be innovative and a creative thinker in order to apply problem solving skills and in the development of specialized reports. They must be skilled in the use of computer based analytical programs, word processing, spreadsheets, and USAID data management systems. They must be able to mentor and teach colleagues on financial management principles

Full statement of duties and qualification requirements are available on https://www.usaid.gov/mali/work-with-us/careers   or https://ml.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/                                               

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS:

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications noted above. For applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, further consideration and selection will be based on panel assessment of the selection factors listed below.

1. Prior Work Experience          40 points 
2. Job Knowledge                      35 points 
3. Skills and Abilities                25 points 

Applicants may address each of the selection factors on a separate sheet or directly in the cover letter.

For detailed minimum requirements, applicants must refer to the Full Statement of duties and the qualification requirements available on https://www.usaid.gov/mali/work-with-us/careers   or https://ml.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

TO APPLY: All CV/Resumes and cover letters must be in English, otherwise the application package is incomplete and will be rejected. 

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION: Indicate the Vacancy Reference Number: 72068824R10010 in the subject line of your email. If this is not properly indicated your submission would NOT be retrieved.

Email Human Resources Management Section: bamakohrmvacancies@usaid.gov with the above reference in the subject line.

CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR THIS POSITION:  AUGUST 23, 2024, AT 5 P.M. BAMAKO TIME