Director Finance & Administration (DFA)

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC continued to provide aid under Taliban rule and expanded its community development projects after the Taliban was ousted. IRC now works across nine provinces. The IRC works with local communities to identify, plan and manage their own development projects; provides safe learning spaces in rural areas; provides uprooted families with basic necessities; and helps people find employment.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Director Finance & Administration (DFA) for an upcoming five-year, multi-million dollar USAID education activity in Afghanistan. The project will enable Afghan children to acquire the education and skills needed to be productive members of society and foster individual self-reliance in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s priorities.

The DFA will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party (COP) in management of staff, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, and overseeing the project’s operations. S/he will coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting of operational management activities e.g. procurement, grants management, and finance). The position is based in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Responsibilities

• Ensure project delivery meets best practice standard operational policies and procedures for impact and compliance.

• Provide financial and operational management that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.

• Oversee development, delivery, capacity building, and monitoring of subgrants.

• Oversee management of all procurement activities to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of project activities.

• Provide oversight of administrative teams.

• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations.

• Support reporting to USAID through formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, etc.

• Assist the COP in maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.

• Represent the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned.

• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements

• Minimum seven years of experience in managerial roles on similar programs in developing countries, including substantial supervisory experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management, Accounting or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience working in Asia and/or Afghanistan is preferred.

• Significant previous experience managing operations for similar programming in conflict or crisis situations.

• Previous experience as DFA or any related roles on USAID-funded programs is preferred

• Substantial experience managing subgrantees required.

• Experience with projects designed to increase and sustain equitable access across both community-based education and formal education systems

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience scaling up activities of similar scope and in similar contexts.

• Demonstrated success incorporating innovation and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming into implementation.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• The candidate must be proficient in English; additional Dari or Pashto language abilities preferred

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

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Qualifications