Finance Assistant

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States. Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

ROLE’S PURPOSE:

The Finance Assistant will help the Finance team ensure that financial transaction documentation is complete, and accurate and that payments are made on a timely basis.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

• Receives and reviews (for completeness and accuracy) all incoming invoices and requests for payment. Ensures the integrity of all receipts, invoices, and vouchers.
• Prepares required documentation for submission to Finance Manager (who will prepare payment checks for Senior Management’s signature) and required documentation (expense cover sheets), post-payment, to provide to the Project Accountant for data entry into DAI’s Financial Accounting System;
• Assists the Project Accountant in recording and assigning costs based on approved budget into the Financial Accounting System, vFER
• Supports with processing DA1 forms for VAT exemption, VAT reimbursements and regularly updates the VAT tracker
• Manages the project’s petty cash according to ATI policies and procedures and submits the reconciliation each week to the Finance Manager.
• Assists with the daily scanning of financial vouchers for submission to DAI/Washington twice a month.
• Responsible for following up on statutory remittances to ensure they are all updated on time.
• Works with the Grants Manager to track all open grants and progress payment schedules;
• Performs other financial tasks assigned by the Finance Manager which are consistent with his/her qualifications, this Scope of Work and the general requirements of the project.
• Maintains a good knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures as set forth in the ATI Field Operations Policy Manual.
• Receives and reviews (for completeness and accuracy) all incoming invoices and requests for payment. Ensures the integrity of all receipts, invoices, and vouchers.
• Prepares required documentation for submission to Finance Manager (who will prepare payment checks for Senior Management’s signature) and required documentation (expense cover sheets), post-payment, to provide to the Project Accountant for data entry into DAI’s Financial Accounting System;
• Assists the Project Accountant in recording and assigning costs based on approved budget into the Financial Accounting System, vFER
• Supports with processing DA1 forms for VAT exemption, VAT reimbursements and regularly updates the VAT tracker
• Manages the project’s petty cash according to ATI policies and procedures and submits the reconciliation each week to the Finance Manager.
• Assists with the daily scanning of financial vouchers for submission to DAI/Washington twice a month.
• Responsible for following up on statutory remittances to ensure they are all updated on time.
• Works with the Grants Manager to track all open grants and progress payment schedules;
• Performs other financial tasks assigned by the Finance Manager which are consistent with his/her qualifications, this Scope of Work and the general requirements of the project.
• Maintains a good knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures as set forth in the ATI Field Operations Policy Manual.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 4+ years of experience in accounting or financial management
• Experience working with international NGOs or donors, such as USAID-funded projects (preferred).
• Experience using Microsoft Excel (required)
• Experience using accounting software.
• Past experience managing petty cash accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to work in dynamic environments and achieve development outcomes
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive
• Ability to perform high-level duties with a minimum of supervision
• Strong English writing and speaking skills required
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and personnel management skills and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization
• 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
• Previous experience with DAI policies, procedures, and systems (TAMIS, etc.) preferred

ORGANIZATION AND VALUES:

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.