Financial/Compliance Officer at DAI Global LLC

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

1. Project Background:

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia. The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) implements SUN as part of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.  SUN 2.0, the second phase of the program, has three major components: (1) Pooled Multi-Donor SUN Fund, (2) SUN Technical Assistance (SUN TA), and (3) SUN Learning and Evaluation. Working in parallel with the SUN Fund, the USAID/Zambia SUN TA program will provide support and direct technical assistance to sub-national government departments in target provinces and districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two.

USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions will increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding habits and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project will prioritize sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Location:

ZONE 1: Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia

The Financial/Compliance Officer will be based in Kabwe and will be covering the Central Province and the Copperbelt Province (Zone 1), with frequent (more than 50% of time) travel throughout assigned districts: Kabwe, Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kitwe and Ndola.

ZONE 2: Kasama, Northern Province, Zambia

The Financial/Compliance Officer will be based in Kasama and will be covering the Northern Province and the Luapula Province (Zone 2), with frequent (more than 50% of time) travel throughout assigned districts: Kasama, Kaputa, Mbala, Luwingu, Mansa, Samfya and Nchelenge.

2. Objective:

The Financial/Compliance Officer is a key member of the finance team. S/he will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Financial/Compliance Officer will provide guidance to the project different districts teams and ensure compliance of all relevant accounting and financial reporting functions and local statutory requirements. S/he is responsible for ensuring all backup documentation is audit ready.

The Financial/Compliance Officer may perform any other related duties as assigned.

3. Tasks and Responsibilities:

Policies & Procedures

• Ensures that accounting practices in each of the districts under his/her responsibility are carried out in accordance with GAAP standards; project internal controls are implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID rules/regulations and the terms of the contract between USAID and DAI.

Financial Reporting

• Monitors and submits grant reports as applicable
• Monitors and reports on partner/vendor payment schedules and obligations
• Manages information inputs for any financial reporting requirements, or internal reports as necessary

Financial Management

• Conduct daily reviews of backup documentation using the finance checklists to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with DAI policies and procedures
• Perform regular audits of project files

General Accounting

• Oversee weekly cash-flow forecasts for approval and fund replenishment wire requests
• Ensure petty cash is maintained per maximum petty cash policy and that all petty cash procedures are followed within the districts under his/hers responsibility
• Audit travel requests and expense reports for accuracy and compliance and follow procedures to ensure accurate and timely payment and reconciliation of travel advances, reimbursements for staff and partner travel

Other duties

• Collaborate with the Lusaka-based Finance and Compliance Manager on implementing and strengthening internal control systems and continuous process performance improvement
• Escalate any delays or vendor/other issues to the Finance and Compliance Manager immediately
• Anticipate and identify risk issues and challenges in the field and the most appropriate solutions to address them
• In collaboration with Lusaka-based Finance and Compliance Manager, plan and perform internal audits, control reviews and compliance assessments. Analyze results and provide recommendations to the district-based teams
• In collaboration with the Lusaka-based finance team, and/or operation leads, design and facilitate relevant risk training sessions and contribute to relevant components of institutional capacity strengthening plans for the organization and partners
• In collaboration with the Lusaka- based finance team conduct unannounced periodic reviews of all financial transactions and the supporting documents of the financial transaction processing functions, as well as reviews of all other support units at the supported districts
• Serve as liaison and support external audits. Coordinate action plans to close out audit findings
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Regional Manager

4. Reporting and Supervision:

• The Financial/Compliance Officer directly reports to the Regional Manager, Zone 1 or Zone 2.

5. Qualifications:

• Certified Accountancy Qualification (completed)
• B.A. Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Must have current Associate Membership of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
• 4+ years of relevant experience in an accountancy position
• Minimum 4 years’ experience supporting USAID-funded projects in an accountancy/finance role preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related USG contracting regulations
• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations
• Accuracy in working with large amounts of data
• Ability to respond effectively to time sensitive inquiries
• Coaching and training abilities
• Experience with enterprise accounting software, and Microsoft office suite
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus
• Able to maintain good working relationships with team members while retaining high levels of confidentiality and discretion
• Fluency in English is required

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