Finance and Operations Director

Finance and Operations Director

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Opportunity Development (OPD) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Opportunity Development team contributes to realizing this purpose by overseeing Pact’s new business development activities. Every member of the Opportunity Development team at Pact is committed to sharing in the success of the organization, its peers, and individual accomplishments. The Opportunity Development team is managed through a matrixed structure that promotes winning proposals through collaboration. The team offers team members, both experienced and new professionals, opportunities for learning and professional development. Ideal candidates bring positive energy to this dynamic work environment.

Position Overview

Pact is recruiting for a Finance and Operations Director for a one-year project based in Pretoria, South Africa - New Partnership Initiative (NPI) – Global Health, COVID-19 program, which will support interventions that will build upon and expand USAID’s efforts to leverage the roles of communities to strengthen and adapt existing community health platforms to support national policies and implementation plans for COVID-19 preparedness and response (non-pharmaceutical interventions) and continuity of existing primary healthcare services based on national guidelines and needs/priorities to create lasting structures for future response.

The Finance and Operations Director will provide day-to-day administrative and operational support for the overall program with an eye towards human resources, knowledge management, finance, compliance, transparency, and accountability. S/he will provide strategic planning leadership to operationalize the program and support start-up and close-down. S/he will track the budget to ensure that spending is in-line with projections and the workplan. S/he will ensure that technical targets are in line with the available budget. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with country-based programs to ensure that they align with the technical requirements and expectations of the overall program.
• Manage program’s day-to-day operations including administration, human resources, logistics, budgeting, financial accounting, and compliance with an eye towards maximum efficiency.
• Oversee management of sub-contracts and Grants under Contracts (GUCs).
• Ensure funds expended are compliant with US government regulations and policies.
• Implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award, which may be a contract or a cooperative agreement.

• Initiate, develop, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the finance and compliance program and its related activities and to promote cost efficiency and compliance with all rules and regulations.

• Identify potential areas of financial and compliance vulnerability and risk and develop or implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues.

• Ensure proper financial documentation and reporting, establish and provide direction and management of project funds.

• Lead and oversee the development, management and complete life cycle of a variety of possible procurement mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, sub-contracts, and/or GUCs.

• Manage the contract budget, tracking project spending and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID.

• Develop, implement, and adjust when required the project's safety and security strategy and protocols, and serves as the point of contact for the person in charge of security at USAID for any issue related to security reports and procedures.

• S/he will mentor, train, and supervise finance, operations, and other staff engaged in the activities noted here.

• Contribute to project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budget).

• Thoughtfully contribute to all project reporting and external communications.

• Ensure that program meets financial targets and makes accurate projections.

• Work closely with the Program Director to collaborate with and report to USAID.

• Coordinate with technical staff to ensure that workplan is being followed.

• In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation staff, facilitate data collection and knowledge management.

• Other tasks as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting or equivalent.

• At least eight years’ experience working in international development, preferable USAID-funded projects in finance, procurement, logistics, and related areas.

• At least four years’ experience in financial compliance and progressive supervisory work experience directly supervising administrative, finance, and/or operations staff.

• Demonstrable experience with management and/or administration for USAID projects, including experience managing sub-contracts and GUCs.

• Knowledge of U.S. government references including OMB Circulars (e.g. A-122), 22 CFR 226 and 22 CFR 228, ADS, FAR, AIDAR, CAS, FFATA, DSSR, and FTR.

• Experience working with South Africa civil society organizations.

• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies, particularly financial reporting and compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in relevant computer applications and databases.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing diverse teams of employees.

• Critical thinker with a can-do approach to problem solving, disaggregating large/complex problems to identify underlying drivers and critical nuances

• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ethical management practices.

• Professional-level English language skills (written and oral).

• Ability to travel within South Africa.

• South African nationals or permanent residents preferred

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.

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