Director of Finance – Dominican Republic – Basic Education Recovery Activity

  • Full-time

Company Description

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.   

Job Description

Activity  Description

The purpose of the USAID Dominican Republic Basic Education Recovery Activity will help Ministry of Education (MINERD) achieve the goals outlined in the institutional strategic plan to improve the quality of education in the early grades of primary school, with special attention given to diminishing the long-standing gaps in students’ learning outcomes that were further exacerbated by COVID-19 school closures. The Basic Education Recovery Activity will coordinate with MINERD to achieve four key objectives: 1) Improve literacy instruction in pre-first and the early primary grades; 2) Provide remedial reading interventions for students in first through third grade who are most at risk for academic failure; 3) Implement social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions for all students in grades pre-first through third grade; and 4) strengthen system-level inputs/processes to ensure improved reading and SEL outcomes for all children. Applicants are encouraged to identify private sector and other innovative solutions to accomplish the desired objectives and results of the activity.

Position Description

The Director of Finance is responsible for compliance with USAID and EDC policy and the overall financial administration of the Activity, including administration of project operations, forecasting and tracking field office expenditures, overseeing daily financial management and human resources.  Additionally, the Director of Finance will oversee administrative and procurement staff. Responsibilities include:

  • Direct support to the Finance, Administration, Operations and Procurement staff to manage all financial and operational issues of the project, to improve procedures, increase efficiency and provide the means to accomplish project goals; 
  • Monitor project spending, including quarterly analysis to identify over or underspending, bring any issues to the attention of the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party for action; 
  • Serve as a liaison with EDC Home Office Accounting to facilitate financial management processes including contributing to preparation of costs to complete projections, providing guidance and oversight on project financial management, and participating as appropriate, in resolution of financial issues; 
  • Ensure compliance and adherence to donor regulations and procedures including maintenance of internal controls, accountability of EDC resources for all financial and operational issues; and
  • Preparation of required USAID financial reports.

Management

  • Mentor local personnel to develop their capacity , including provision of regular feedback and training; 
  • Ensure that finance and operations staff work smoothly with technical teams to accomplish project goals in a manner consistent with policies and procedures; models collaboration with technical leaders; and
  • Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to support donor, partner and stakeholder needs.

Qualifications

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

Education:

Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional experience) in business, accounting, finance, ior other related field.

Skills and Experience:

  • At least eight years of experience (10 years with Bachelor’s degree) with increasing responsibility in accounting and/or financial management, including the management and oversight of multimillion-dollar, USAID-funded project budgets and financial reporting;
  • Extensive knowledge of and financial management experience with USAID funded programs;
  • Experience managing sub-grants;
  • Previous financial management experience on international development projects with significant procurement components is preferred;
  • Demonstrated and detailed understanding of financial management and accounting principles; and
  • Proven ability to manage a team and corresponding workflow.

Language:

Fluency in Spanish and Working Proficiency in English is required.

Additional Information

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is 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.