Finance and Administration Officer, USAID - JSI Research & Training Institute

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), a leader in global health, is nonprofit public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world.

Job Description

USAID Advancing Nutrition is USAID’s flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, led by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners. Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners.

The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behaviour change, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity and advance development.

From 2020 - 2023, USAID Advancing Nutrition will provide technical support and assessment services to advance the Government of Ghana’s efforts to improve equitable delivery of quality services that promote household resilience and early childhood growth and development.

Technical services provided through USAID Advancing Nutrition will strengthen national and local government planning in Northern Ghana and stimulate the development of multisectoral solutions to the most pressing food security and nutrition problems. The portfolio will encompass activities funded by USAID/Washington as well as the USAID Mission to Ghana.

Reporting

The Finance and Administration Officer will work under the direction of the Finance and Administrative Manager to support the day-to-day financial operations of the project.

Job Summary

The Finance and Administration Officer (FAO) will provide finance and administrative support to help ensure the smooth implementation of the project’s finance and accounting functions. He/she will ensure compliance and adhere to project contractual requirements and JSI policies. Additionally, he/she will review project ledgers for all advances and prepaid expenses.

He/she will also follow up on outstanding advances. The F & A Officer will also review all documents and vouchers for completeness and arithmetic accuracy.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Process and disburse accounts receivable.
• Process accounts payable on timely bases.
• Prepare petty Cash vouchers and disburse according to approve policies.
• Maintain and disburse petty Cash and maintain petty cash journal accurately.
• Enter data into QuickBooks Accounting software (e.g., staff advances, vendor payments, travel expense reports, etc.
• Receive approved advances and expense reports from staff and process on timely basis.
• Ensure that all vouchers/documentations are properly filed.
• Assist in the preparation of end-of -month reconciliations (Advance accounts, QuickBooks, Bank accounts.)
• Support the payment of approved cheques to respective vendors/payees
• Review supporting documents of all paid cash vouchers.
• Process participant M&IE and transport cost refund using the mobile money platform.
• Carry out any other responsibilities assigned from time to time by the F&A Manager.

Administrative

• Assist in verifying all travel invoices and attach the relevant support documentation for processing
• Monitoring vehicle insurance, registration, and maintenance
• Maintain vendor files.

Required Skills or Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Administration or their equivalent
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years work experience in Finance and Administration
• Languages:  Written and verbal fluency in English
• Required Skills:
  • Knowledge and experience of QuickBooks
  • Strong communication, planning, and organization skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
  • Highly motivated individual, with the ability to work toward the goals/objectives set by the organization

• Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Work experience with an international development organization
  • Work experience with a USAID-funded project
  • Ability to take initiative and complete tasks with minimal supervision
  • Effective interpersonal skills to interact with all levels of staff and partners