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 disputed national election and 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

In recent months there have been two significant developments which have shaped – and will continue to shape – OTI’s program over the next year. First, a new USG assistance strategy for Haiti, which has been under discussion and review for the last year, is due to be formally approved in the coming months. Second, presidential elections are taking place which will usher in a new government. OTI will seek to engage with this new government and reinvigorate its efforts to provide material and technical assistance to the GOH in key areas of state functioning. Country program objectives are expected to shift over the life of the program to account for changes in the political environment.

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.

Position Purpose:

The Accountant for St. Marc will be responsible for overall day-to-day management of regional office finances. The Accountant will be supervised by the Regional Program Manager, and will work remotely with the Finance Manager and Senior Accountant based in Port-au-Prince.

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.
• Manage payroll of project staff.
• Manage petty cash.
• Track grant expenditures and prepare weekly reports grant disbursements.
• Perform capacity building activities for grantees in the field.
• Perform any other financial tasks assigned by the Regional Program 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.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelors level degree required
• 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.

Reporting:

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

Recruitment HRI II

2011-04-08