Finance Specialist – FORSATY Research for Adaptation and Learning (REAL) Program

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work. 

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

Project Description

The purpose of the five-year USAID/Morocco FORSATY Research for Adaption and Learning (REAL) Program is to strengthen the evidence base to effectively measure and assess the impact of youth and countering violent extremism (CVE) programs and interventions in Morocco. The program will work alongside the USAID FORSATY Plus program in the north of Morocco.

REAL has three objectives:

1.  To establish a youth longitudinal study that enables stakeholders to better understand the role that youth and CVE programs and strategies played in furthering youth wellbeing and decreasing vulnerability to violent extremism

2.  To strengthen the capacity of key Moroccan institutions, USAID, and partners to improve measurement, evaluation and evidence-based adaptations of youth and CVE programming

3.  To promote knowledge sharing through a collaborative learning network

The Finance Specialist will be based in Tangiers, Morocco. S/he will ensure the financial and contractual compliance of project activities with the Government of Morocco, EDC, and USAID regulations. S/he will be responsible for recording costs and day to day general accounting, accounts receivables/payables, payroll and assuring all backup documentation is audit ready The Finance Specialist will report to the Chief of Party. 
 

Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain financial management and accounting control systems for program expenditures.
• Record all project transactions in QuickBooks, utilizing the correct charge codes and monitoring alignment to the budget.
• Prepare and submit to HQ wire requests together with a monthly report on projected cash needs.
• Provide COP/HQ updates on the status of fund requests and work with Finance and Contracts (F&C) in HQ to ensure the timely transfer of funds. Maintain and closely monitor accurate cashbooks for all the bank accounts ensuring that the project is liquid all the time, and before payments are released.
• Prepare and submit to HQ monthly bank reconciliation and all month-end reports for review.
• Review and certify, and maintain, that all supporting documentation for an invoice or any payment is complete, accurate, and in full compliance with local laws, as well as USAID and EDC policies and procedures before issuing check or wire and processing the payment.
• Prepare the requisite financial documents and vouchers.
• Ensure all vouchers, supporting financial documentation, HR files, and other project related documents are scanned and digitally archived monthly per EDC file retention policies.
• Maintain financial files, including but not limited to expense reports and bank account reconciliations to Home Office, payroll, accumulated leave, and tax withholding records, bank account and petty cash balances, travel and other advances, inventory list, and financial reports to EDC staff, USAID, or the Government of Morocco, and all project related correspondence.
• Monitor advances to employees and ensure timely liquidation.
• Manage personnel files and payroll of office staff and Country Handbook updates.
• Ensure leave balances, tax withholdings, and other government contributions are recorded accurately and paid on time; escalate to the COP all unresolved matters.
• Maintain contractual files.
• Keep track of accruals and commitments and provide up-to-date reports as needed.
• Participate in ongoing analysis, forecasting and review of project expenses.
• Participate in budget planning and realignments as required.
• Establish and maintain sound and transparent accounting and fiscal control procedures; be able to detect and swiftly deal with any issues of fraud and/or corruption.
• Contribute to the development of high-quality work plans, quarterly and annual reports, financial reports, and any other reports required by HQ and/or USAID.
• Manage and assist with internal and external auditors in the review of project financial management, ensure that management responses and corrective actions are implemented in a timely manner.
• Ensure adherence to systems and controls, make recommendations for improvements / adjustments.
• Perform additional tasks at the direction of the Chief of Party and/or her/his designee.

The candidate for the position of Finance Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree and technical certification required in Accounting and/or Financial Management.
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field preferred;

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of work experience in a relevant field, with at least 3 years’ experience in accounting or financial management;
• Previous experience working with international organizations, particularly USAID or US-funded organizations, required;
• Proficiency in the QuickBooks accounting system is preferred.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations on financial management preferred, and knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), budgeting and fiscal control principles preferred;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing budgets
• Relevant skills in automated accounting software systems and database spreadsheets;
• Demonstrated capacity to supervise a complex financial management or general ledger system;
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a teamwork environment;

Language:

• Proficiency in English, Arabic, and French languages is required

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.

Position contingent upon project award. 
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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.