Director of Finance and Administration

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

PATH is seeking a Director of Finance and Administration to manage the financial and administrative activities for its Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) office. The Director of Finance and Administration will report to the Country Director and coordinate with PATH’s Head Quarter, as applicable to establish and manage finance &, accounting systems, applicable compliances, policies, IT and facilities management, to ensure that PATH’s financial and administrative systems meet the highest global standards and those of our main donors USAID, CDC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The DFA will provide overall administration of the portfolio of PATH activities in DRC; the total budget for all projects is US $15 million per year and is expected to increase. The DFA is a member of the PATH DRC Senior Management Team and is expected to provide exceptional leadership and vision in support of 125 staff.

This position is a local hire and will not be eligible for expatriates. DRC nationals and nationals from francophone countries in the region are encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership: Leads the shared services team in DRC

• Supervision of shared services team (finance, procurement, accounting, IT and administration) in Kinshasa and across PATH DRC
• Provide technical guidance to team and training as needed
• Manage performance and development plans for team member. Setting clear objectives and tracking against those
• Is the point of contact for relation with shared services team at HQ
• Is a key member of the Senior management team in DRC

Finance: Oversee accounting and financial management, including:

• Expenditure, procurement and disbursement systems, ensuring compliance with policies, including authorization, documentation and recording.
• Manage bank accounts and acting as primary liaison with banks.
• Ensure accurate, complete and timely submission of monthly financial reports to International Accounting Services team.
• Establish and maintain adequate internal control functions in line with PATH policies.
• Manage Payroll and local payroll taxes, ensure compliance with local government regulations.
• Submit quarterly requests for operating funds to the International Accounting Services team and manage bank balances to ensure adequate funds are available.
• Liaise with local accounting/legal firm(s) as required regarding office registration and tax-exempt status; assessment orders; track annual registration renewals and tax requirements; and maintain office registration.
• Ensure compliance with all financial and taxation laws, such as income tax, VAT, withholding tax, social security, and timely file monthly, quarterly and annual returns.
• Discharge fiduciary responsibility related to PATH DRC’s legal matters and advise the SMT accordingly
• Understand operating risks and advise the CD with adequate mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with local government statutory and regulatory audit requirements. In collaboration with Headquarters, coordinate internal and external audits.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures, as necessary, and implement the same.
• Review audit recommendations and ensure the corrective actions agreed are implemented. Update SMT, Finance colleagues and Managers on recurring findings.

Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for the country office and oversee project administrative officers:

• Develop annual budgets in collaboration with respective PADMs, Country Director and Headquarters.
• Managing Obligation process and burn rate to Obligation
• Prepare and sustain a Financial Information Reporting System which track expenditures against the approved budgets; inform Country Director & SMT of all current or anticipated budget variances and reasons thereof.
• Support development of budgets for proposals, including costing information and liaising with appropriate Headquarters units on completing budgets in compliance with PATH processes and donor requirements.
• Support processes and prepare adequate monthly reports to monitor burn rates to minimize risk of over and under spend. And share these reports with the SMT.

Administration and Compliance: Develop, implement and manage office processes in accordance with PATH policies and procedures, donor requirements, and in compliance with local law:

• Oversee adherence to PATH’s global travel policies for DRC staff and design, implement, and maintain DRC-specific travel policies that complement the global policies; manage staff responsible for implementing travel policies and organizing travel; request any necessary approvals for travel.
• Maintain paper and electronic files related to administration in accordance with PATH policies on records retention.
• Oversee procurement policy, procedures, and compliance. Development and management of procurement plan.
• Oversee internal audit findings, response, and corrective action implementation.
• Develop KPIs for internal processes, dashboard, monitoring and reporting.
• Manage and review contracts in relation to projects and administration.
• Work with PATH’s Human Resources department on human resource issues, transitions, recruitments, and onboarding.
• Serve as Performance Leader for Senior Project Administrator, Accounting and Finance Unit Supervisor and Operations Manager.
• Oversee the management of PATH’s physical offices, assets, and staff safety and security at all PATH DRC locations.
• Maintain and implement PATH global processes to maintain a safe, healthy and compliant working environment for all PATH’s DRC-based employees and visitors. Identify, report, and resolve any safety and safety violations or hazards and report to Headquarters as per PATH global policies.
• Build capacity of direct reports.

Information Technology:

• Support to ensure PATH DRC complies with IT related policies.
• Facilitate so that country IT staff is interacting with HQ colleagues and IT systems are well protected, assets are tracked and identifiable.
• Guide country IT staff to ensure that field staff and field offices are adequately supported so that operations are not impeded.

Procurement: Ensure compliance with PATH’s Global Procurement Policy and establish local procurement policy, with approval from PATH HQ.

• Support the establishment of a Procurement Review Committee in DRC and ensure the same operates seamlessly.
• Contribute in procurement plans for large procurement in collaboration with Programs (RPM & PADM).
• Support to establish registered vendors across the country to facilitate smooth operations.
• Ensures that PATH DRC is following the principles of Value for Money in each procurement.
• Train all staff on procurement processes.
• Remain conversant with RFP & RFQ processes related to large procurements.
• Ensure that Procurement staff are checking the background of all vendors and ensures compliance with Segregation of Duties with regards to interaction with existing and potential vendors.

Reporting and External Relations:

• Support the Country Director and project managers in compiling information for required reports and the production of reports for government and donor stakeholders.
• With support from Donor Reporting Team and other Headquarters staff, lead the development and submission of donor-required financial reports.
• Respond to ad hoc requests from donors as necessary.
• Reporting – develop and manage a Deliverables Tracker.

Exchange knowledge & Network with Finance Staff of International Organizations to understand the economic, social and political environment of the country.

Sub-Awards Administration/Management:

• Manage consultants’ agreements, work orders and in-country sub-agreements and sub-contracts where necessary
• Oversee the development and implementation of sub-grants and other agreements.
• Support project teams on grantees developing work plans, monitoring progress, tracking expenses, preparing reports, and facilitating grantees’ compliance with the terms of their agreements.

Required Skills

• Master's degree in business administration, accounting, or finance plus a minimum of seven years of experience in administrative and financial management.
• ACCA/CPA or other recognized professional accounting qualification preferred or added advantage.
• 7+ to 10 years’ experience providing financial and administrative support for large international projects, specifically with experience with global USAID health projects.
• Field experience, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is highly preferred.
• Experience developing, revising and implementing organizational and system policies and practices.
• Demonstrated success in achieving results through people.
• Demonstrated success in establishing collaborative relationships across various working groups and projects and stakeholders.
• Proven success in managing multiple tasks with competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Experience working in an NGO donor environment.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Excellent financial management and budgeting skills.
• Experience managing contracts and agreements appreciated.
• Project Management experience/competencies.
• Operations management.
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and to escalate issues appropriately.
• Outstanding training and mentoring skills; ability to work effectively and diplomatically with less experienced staff.
• Demonstrated effectiveness meeting reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Bilingual in English and French, written and spoken.
• Proficiency in the effective use of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, accounting software, and Awards and Sub-awards management system (Salesforce).
• Sound familiarity and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations related to Contracts and Co-operative agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to work with USAID missions, Regional Bureaus, USAID Washington, governments, ministries, bilateral and multilateral organizations, donor agencies, and collaborating partners.
• Ability to travel required up to 20 percent of time.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Required Experience

Job Location
Kinshasa,