Director, Finance and Administration, Alexandria Water Resilience Centre of Excellence, Grant Position

Reports to: Chief of Party

Purpose: The job holder will provide financial and administrative leadership, guidance and support to the Alexandria Water Resilience Centre of Excellence (AWR-CoE) project. He/she will be responsible for operational oversight and streamlining of all administrative and financial functions within the center including managing and monitoring of multi-million United States Agency for International Development (USAID) budget, ensuring compliance with and effective implementation of USAID’s and The American University in Cairo’s (AUC) policies, rules and regulations for the effective use of funds.

Principal Accountabilities:

Financial Management

• Manage the $30 million AWR-CoE project budget in line with the set financial work cycle, exercising effective financial control methods in alignment with the principal investigator
• Prepare project budget and budget modifications as needed, and review existing budgets and adjust them according to changing needs
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes
• Review annual and quarterly financial reports in conjunction with the grants office and the OSP and report on variations against budget in a timely manner
• Review quarterly accrual reports and prepare annual projected expenses and other needed reports by USAID
• Ensure alignment of accounting and budget-monitoring activities with USAID’s and AUC’s regulations, policies and procedures
• Liaise with AUC’s offices of sponsored programs, grant accounting services, supply chain and others, as needed in addition to US and Egyptian university partners with respect to relevant administrative and financial functions of the project
• Support internal and external auditors and provide them with required documentation and financial information; ensure implementation of auditor’s recommendations
• Conduct close-out procedures of the AWR-CoE project and disposition of inventory

Administrative Functions

• Lead the project’s administrative, procurement and HR related functions of the project, providing support and guidance to the project team
• Oversee project team travel logistics, ensuring alignment with AUC’s and donor’s guidelines
• Develop an operational manual for the project outlining a system for project documentation, and the policies and procedures regulating the administrative and financial functions within the project in line with the grant terms and AUC’s policies and procedures, and in alignment with the chief of party
• Communicate donor regulations to the project team and ensure alignment of project activities with those regulations
• Ensure proper documentation of AWR-CoE financial reports, staff leaves and other evidence related to the project for audit purposes
• Provide guidance and oversee the performance of two finance and administration officers, ensuring receipt of appropriate training as necessary.
• Work with multiple project stakeholders to organize an end-of-program ceremony
• Perform any other related duties as assigned

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirement:

• BA or BSc is required; MA in a related field is an asset

Experience:

• 12-15 years of experience, including 10 in grants administration and financial management is required
• Prior experience in grants accounting, budget monitoring and financial reporting in a USAID funded project is preferred
• Skilled in collecting and analyzing data

Skills :

• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic
• Good attention to details with excellent follow up skills
• Time management and multi tasking
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise budget monitoring
• Good communications and interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationships with project constituents
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadline
• Results-oriented and able to work effectively within a team
• Excellent organization, planning and administrative skills
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Good working knowledge of SAP

This position is open until May 4, 2022

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”