Background

On January 12, 2010 an earthquake, registering over 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the Republic of Haiti killing more than 200,000 people, displacing over a million and affecting a total of 3,000,000.
The epicenter of the quake was close to Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, destroying and heavily damaging homes, schools, churches, and critical infrastructure. The Government of Haiti (GoH) was also devastated by the earthquake, which destroyed most public buildings and records and took the lives of many key staff. More than one year after the earthquake, Haiti’s peace and recovery are threatened by a growing cholera epidemic, a challenging political transition, abject poverty, and lack of basic services. The goal of USAID/OTI’s efforts in Haiti post-earthquake is to reinforce stability and lay the foundation for longer term development.

In January 2010, USAID/OTI launched an 18-month-long quick-response program in partnership with Chemonics known as Haiti Recovery Initiative (HRI), or An’n Leve Kanpe (“Let’s stand up together!”) in Haitian Creole. Over the course of the last year, activities have focused primarily on the following three country objectives:

1.) Community Stabilization
2.) Enabling the GoH to Function
3.) Increasing Citizen Engagement

The USG made public the new Post-Earthquake USG Haiti Strategy: Toward Renewal and Economic Opportunity on January 3, 2011. This five-year strategy has two objectives: 1) to catalyze economic growth through investments in agriculture, energy and infrastructure; and 2) to ensure long-term stability through investments in public institutions.

While new USAID programming is coming on board over the next year, USAID/OTI is well-positioned to support the USG’s reconstruction and long-term development plan. This plan seeks to support new and diverse economic opportunities in key development corridors (Port-au-Prince, Saint Marc and Cap Haitian) using focused and catalytic investments in four focus areas or “pillars” of investment critical to achieving economic growth and stability: (A) infrastructure and energy, (B) food and economic security, (C) health and other basic services, and (D) governance and rule of law.

USAID/OTI programming will remain responsive to urgent priorities as they arise and cross-cutting in support of these four pillars. However, given the timing of future programming and the comparative advantages that USAI/OTI brings, the HRI program will focus on:

• Contributing significantly to return of thousands of IDPs to no more than three (3) residential neighborhoods in greater Port-au-Prince;
• Supporting local governments and communities in the ‘development corridors’ so that they are better prepared to absorb and benefit from long-term USG resources; and
• Enhancing the Government of Haiti’s ability to govern effectively in key sectors.

USAID/OTI has been working with Chemonics under the follow-on to HRI (known as HRI-II) since March 14, 2011, and the program is expected to run for a period of 18 months.

The Accountant will be responsible for overall day-to-day management of project and office finances. The Accountant will be supervised by the Finance Manager.

Tasks:

Specific tasks to be completed under this SOW are as follows:

• Manage all banking activities including withdrawals, deposits and preparation of all bank payments and checks.
• Document all project transactions and enter them into the project accounting software.
• Ensure the integrity of all receipts, invoices, and vouchers.
• Maintain good accounting records based on generally accepted accounting principles, subject to different donor guidelines
• Complete CFW payroll transfer request and submit to the bank
• Manage payroll of project staff.
• Track grant expenditures and prepare weekly reports grant disbursements.
• Perform capacity building activities for grantees in the field.
• Ensure compliance with all host country regulations and local law
• Perform any other financial tasks assigned by Finance Manager which are consistent with his/her qualifications, this Scope of Work and the general requirements of the project.
• Maintain a good knowledge and understanding of all office rules and procedures as set forth in the field office policy manual.
• Review and reconcile the ledger of assets (advances, security deposits) and liabilities (taxes and withholdings) and report any un-reconciled differences
• Makes recommendations to Finance Manager for improvements in processes, systems and forms

• Bachelors level degree required, or equivalent experience
• Five years previous experience in accounting or financial management.
• Experience working with international NGOs or donors, such as USAID is preferable.
• Experience using the Internet, Microsoft Excel and/or accounting software
• Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation in handling all assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
• French and Creole required; English proficiency strongly preferred.

The Accountant will report to the Finance Manager. Chemonics may amend the SOW for this assignment in consultation with the employee.

Administration