FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

Job Announcement

For External Use

Location: Prishtina, Kosovo

Group/Practice/Unit: Education

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

About Program

The Private Sector-Led Workforce Development (PSWD) Activity is a five-year USAID-funded in Kosovo. The Activity will seek to harness the leadership of the private sector as a change agent to develop sustainable and innovative models to develop the Kosovo workforce in partnership with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Sector Workforce Councils.

Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party, the Finance & Operations Manager will oversee various operational tasks including grants and contracts management, financial reporting, human resources, financial management and accounting, and logistics ensuring smooth implementation of activities. S/he will ensure timely start-up, implementation, and closeout that is compliant with donor and IREX regulations.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as Financial Management, Accounting, International Business Administration etc. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum eight years of relevant professional experience in Kosovo, including a minimum of five years working on USAID-funded programs.
• Minimum five years of supervisory work experience providing direct supervision of administrative, human resources, and finance staff, as well as direct supervision of professional and support staff responsible for complex programs in developing countries.
• Demonstrated ability in managing and compiling financial data for reporting in-line with donor requirements.
• Demonstrable ability to manage a team and create a culture of compliance through training, coaching and oversight.
• Experience analyzing budget trends and monitoring funding levels across multiple accounts.
• Expertise in planning, monitoring, and realigning of complex budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, PS, CSOs, implementing partners and other donors).
• Professional fluency in English in both written and oral communication. Ability to speak Albanian and/or Serbian is preferred.

Your Daily Tasks

Task and Project Coordination/Management 

• Work closely with the COP and DCOP to ensure effective day-to-day management of PSWD.
• Oversee all aspects of grant and subcontracts including assisting the team in preparing and executing pre-award assessments, drafting approval requests, monitoring deliverables and ensuring deadlines are met, reviewing invoices for milestone payments, and preparing closeout documentation. Ensure that files are complete and in line with policies.
• Responsible for monitoring compliance, deliverables, deadlines, and any other agreement requirements to the donor or home office.
• Manage grants under the annual Workforce Innovation Grant Competition.

Relational Communication 

• Liaise with IREX home office financial, compliance and field operations teams.

Budget, Financial and Project Compliance 

• Ensure timely, compliant, and efficient start-up, implementation, and closeout of PSWD.
• In coordination with the DCOP, establish the overall financial management practices of the program, with a focus on cost efficiency, and optimization of office resources.
• Support the COP to ensure that USAID and IREX policies and procedures are followed; ensure PSWD follows local Kosovo laws.
• Oversee operational tasks of the program including grants and contracts management, reporting, human resources, financial management and accounting, procurement, compliance, administration, and logistics.
• Ensure that appropriate financial record-keeping policies and practices are established and maintained.
• Review internal controls to ensure that appropriate mechanisms, procedures, and systems are in place. Ensure proper safeguards of funds and compliance with established USG and IREX financial and accounting procedures.
• Review and approve all financial transactions prepared by Accountant ensuring all transactions are accurate, have necessary back-up documentation, and all costs are allowable, allocable and reasonable in accordance with USG cost principles, IREX policies and procedures and Kosovar Law.
• Review and submit monthly country office expense reports (COERs) through the QuickBooks accounting software system.
• Oversee payroll processing and review and submit all tax withholdings (payroll income tax, deduction at source) to relevant parties.
• Directly supervise and manage recurring Human Resources activities such as Time Sheet management, leave requests, and similar.
• Oversee financial aspects of all program activities and work closely with program staff to develop budgets and cost projections (including shared office costs) for programmatic activities.
• Prepare monthly accrual and projections reports and submit wire requests.
• Monitor program budget and provide regular financial reports to IREX to ensure accurate spending as well as monthly forecasts. Responsible for any required reporting to USAID. 

Teamwork and Leadership 

• Supervise, manage and build the capacity of the Grants and Contracts Officer, Accountant, and Finance and Administration Assistant.
• Contribute to the team’s effort by undertaking additional tasks and responsibilities as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

Use Finance and Operations Manager, Education Practice | IREX Job Board (ultipro.com) link to apply. This position is open until filled. For best consideration, apply by 06 August 2023.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.