About the Position

Dexis is seeking an experienced Director of Finance and Operations to help lead USAID’s Northern Economic and Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) activity based in Benin. This is a five-year project aimed at improving purchasing powers, developing self-sufficiency, and improving inclusion in the modern economic marketplace for men and women vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist groups.  

The Director will oversee project operations and ensure that all program financial transactions are properly supported and recorded, following Dexis, US Government, and the Government of Benin’s regulations. The Director must have experience in the areas of financial management, accountability, procurement and audit, as well as a strong understanding of USAID Rules and Regulations. 

The estimated start date of the position is September 1, 2024. This is full-time position to be based in Parakou, Benin.  

Responsibilities

• Lead, maintain oversight of, and ensure operational success of the program’s registration and in-country operability, contracting, administration, logistics, security, procurement, finance, and program property.  
• Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations and procedures. This will include HR and financial management and ensuring that all procurement processes are fair and transparent.   
• Supervise day-to-day project operations in the field, which include cash flow management, time sheet recording, financial reporting, and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures. This also includes ensuring VAT exemption for program costs and communicating with USAID vis-à-vis any potential VAT issues. 
• Review budget forecasts prepared by Finance manager and adjust for exchange rate fluctuations (if needed) and availability of funds. 
• Troubleshoot any operational issues, including liquidity and human resources and investigate and identify new ways of achieving operational efficiencies.   
• Coordinate with the Dexis Home Office on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance and best practices, as needed.  
• Oversee grant programming while coordinating closely with the Grants manager and Finance manager to support financial reconciliation for all activity close-outs. The Director will be expected to have a good grasp of the programmatic aspects of the program and be prepared to step in, as needed, to support the COP and program team by staying apprised of the evolution of the local political, social, and economic landscape. 
• Provide oversight on all programmatic and operational procurements, ensuring that they adhere to the USAID procurement procedures.  
• Maintain in-depth awareness and knowledge of the country and region’s security situation to advise the COP and program.  
• Oversee recruitment, training, onboarding, and mentoring of field staff.  
• Operationalize internal management systems for the program’s financial, procurement, HR, and security systems and files in accordance with USG rules and regulations and Dexis’ policies and procedures.   
• Ensure that all relevant government regulations and processes are followed and document any deviation to the established procedures with approval of the COP or their designee(s). 
• Conduct all HR functions in accordance with Dexis and USAID policies and regulations and Benin legislation, including executing Consultant Agreements, including review and payment of consultant invoices.  
• Ensure all staff benefits are properly tracked and issued in accordance with the program’s policies, including keeping track of leave balances and ensuring staff take their paid time off. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party 

Qualifications 

• University degree in finance, business administration or related field, master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in managing finance and operations for donor-funded international development projects; USAID's experience is preferred. 
• Strong experience leading and implementing procurement processes and systems in line with USAID and USG procurement policies. 
• Experience operationalizing grants programming, preferably USAID grants, and a strong understanding of overseeing cash and in-kind grants to local organizations. 
• Knowledge of Burundian finance and accounting requirements.
• Minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience.   
• Experience working in a complex and fast-paced field operations environments.   
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in overseeing program start-up and/or close-out.   
• Ability to work in a multicultural team and adapt to ever-changing priorities and requirements. 
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communication skills. 
• Proven knowledge of MS Word, Excel and QuickBooks. 
• Regional or country experience required.  
• Professional proficiency in English and French.  

 

This position will be hired locally and host country nationals are encouraged to apply. Dexis is committed to offering a fair and competitive compensation package. Salaries will be developed based on market research, a Local Compensation Plan (LCP) if available, an approved budget for the position, and the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications. Employee benefits will be aligned to what is legal and customary in country and approved by our client.