Job Description

Director, Administration and Finance - Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Belize

About MCA

The Government of Belize (GoB), together with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (“MCC”), is in the process of establishing an independent executing agency called the Millennium Challenge Account – Belize (MCA-B). MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting countries and is dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. The MCA-B will be created by an act of Parliament to undertake the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the Government of Belize under the Compact, which is expected to be signed in September 2024. The MCA-B is located in Belize City.

Belize compact

In December 2021, MCC’s Board of Directors selected Belize as eligible to develop a five-year grant agreement known as a “compact” that will include two separate projects:

1. The $73.8 million Education Project aims to equitably increase the number of post-primary graduates with the competencies relevant to labor market demands
2. The $21.1 million Energy Project will address the root causes of the high costs of wholesale electricity.

Position Objective

The Director of Administration and Finance will lead the finance and administration unit. The Director is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of the compact's budget, the overall administration of the MCA, the MCA’s fiduciary integrity, and ensuring the health of the Compact's financial management throughout its life. In addition, this individual is responsible for managing the Fiscal Agent Agreement.

Responsibilities

The Director of Administration and Finance, under the supervision of the Managing Director for Operations, will be expected to carry out the following among his/her primary responsibilities:

• Lead the MCA's overall Finance and Administrative functions and ensure that sufficient finance, accounting, and administrative support is provided to its operational and programmatic functions to deliver on the Compact's targets.
• Work closely with other MCA-Belize Directors to ensure a well-functioning and collaborative environment and provide reports and technical expertise to the Executive Director as required.
• Analyze MCA-Belize operational and programmatic needs and assess the capacity of a multi-fund, multi-year set of resources (over USD 125 million), complex projects, and daily operational requirements.
• Forecast cash flows, accurately project future needs, and lead the development of funding requests to ensure disbursement of funds from MCC and the Government of Belize.
• Develop policies and plans for managing the MCA’s fiscal resources, aligned with the MCA's overall plan and per MCC fiscal accountability and transparency policies, as well as internal and external audit standards and requirements.
• Oversee the production of periodic financial reports for the decision-making of MCA management, MCC, and Government of Belize stakeholders.
• Lead MCA-Belize’s management team during budget and audit exercises, including serving as the authority on compliance with the financial requirements of the compact and related agreements.
• Build the Finance team by recruiting staff and identifying technical resources (e.g., external consultants, MCC technical resources) to provide external advice and expertise aligned with the MCA's strategic needs.
• Guide MCA-Belize program staff and implementing entities on MCC financial management, reporting regulations, and national government procedures to ensure compliance and transparency.
• Manage the Fiscal Agent Agreement and the MCA financial audit program.
• Evaluate MCAs' and implementing entities’ fiscal and reporting systems and determine their compliance with MCC standards. Identify financial or compliance risks and design and implement actions to mitigate those risks.
• Lead the efforts of MCA in developing an accounting and financial reporting system, including training financial and non-financial staff in using that system while maintaining proper segregation of duties and internal controls.
• Manage administrative and financial tasks, including small purchases and petty cash, to administer MCA-Belize.
• Supervise the administrative manager and financial specialist and oversee their management of specific staff to ensure the highest degree of integrity and compliance with policies and procedures.

Required Competencies

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Finance, Management, or a related field. A master´s degree in Business, Finance or Accounting is a plus.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in finance and accounting management or overall administration, including supervisory experience, for a program of a similar size and scope.

• Knowledge of the development environment in Belize and the challenges of program execution and coordination with government institutions.

• Fluency and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and advanced MS Excel are required.

  Preferred Competencies

• Professional certification as a CPA or Chartered Accountant.

• Experience in financial system design and implementation of a type similar to SAP system, which is required by the Compact.

How to apply

To access positions’ profile requirements and submit applications, please visit https://belize-jobs.tenderwell.app/. The following documents should accompany applications:

1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available).

If you encounter challenges when applying online, please contact belize@developmentaid.org for assistance.

The closing date for receiving applications is September 19th, 2024. Only applications received through the online portal (Tenderwell) will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.