Duties

You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not receive full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.

This is a Foreign Service announcement. Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position. Successful candidates must be available to work in any country in the world where USAID has a presence. Here is the link to the current list of countries.

Financial Management Officers direct the accounting and payment operations in USAID missions worldwide. In addition, they provide significant levels of advisory services to all levels of the mission and host country governments. This includes administrative, operational, and program matters concerning financial, budgetary and resource management, and implementation issues. Provide a full range of financial services including development of budgets and financial plans; control and track obligations and expenditures; preparation and audit of payment vouchers; administration of payroll plans; salary, benefits, and allowance payments; cashier operations; local currency management and programs; and act as an authorized certifying office for the disbursement and collection of funds. Provide financial management advisory services to assist managers in program decision-making and planning by analyzing financial aspects of various strategies, programs, and activities so that managers can determine the best use of limited resources. Conduct reviews and assessments and provide organizational capacity development to foreign governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, and local entities on their financial management and organizational practices by assessing, providing recommendations, and aiding in implementation of industry-recognized best practices.

DUTIES:

Provide a full range of financial services including development of budgets and financial plans; control and track obligations and expenditures; preparation and audit of payment vouchers; administration of payroll plans; salary, benefits, and allowance payments; cashier operations; local currency management and programs; and act as an authorized certifying office for the disbursement and collection of funds.

Provide financial management advisory services to assist managers in program decision-making and planning by analyzing financial aspects of various strategies, programs, and activities so that managers can determine the best use of limited resources.

Conduct reviews and assessments, and provide organizational capacity development to foreign governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, and local entities on their financial management and organizational practices by assessing, providing recommendations, and aiding in implementation of industry-recognized best practices in accordance to various laws and regulations.

Prepare and communicate financial or regulatory reports required by laws, regulations, and Agency policies and directives.

Develop and maintain relationships with both internal and external leaders, leading representatives of foreign governments, state or legislative executives, and public, international, other donor, and non-governmental organization personnel to facilitate financial activities. Coordinate with USAID legal, contracting, technical, executive, and inspection offices when appropriate.

Develop self and lead other members of the Financial Management Workforce to assume increasing levels of responsibility and technical acumen within their respective roles.

Coordinate and lead the internal controls assessment and review process, audit performance and compliance management, and develop controls for the prevention of fraud, waste, and mismanagement.

Work in a developing country or in an economically disadvantaged domestic community with a variety of challenges (civil war, political unrest, lack of modern conveniences)

Maintain current knowledge of federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Relevant education and experience ? see Qualifications below
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security clearance.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position. While USAID uses a bidding system for assignments, Foreign Service Officers must be willing and available to accept assignments to any country where USAID operates.
• Must be between 18 and 59 years old at time of application, unless the applicant is a Veteran. Veteran, must be between 18 and 64 years old at time of application.
• Class 1 Medical Clearance (no identifiable medical condition that would limit assignment). A medical clearance or waiver is required prior to being hired for this position verifying that the applicant is able to serve at any USAID overseas post.
• Foreign Language Proficiency is not required to apply; however, applicants who demonstrate proficiency in a USAID tenuring language will have an opportunity to test via phone for bonus points to be added to their interview score.
• Drug Testing. These are Testing Designated Positions under the Agency's approved Drug Free WorkPlace Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.

Qualifications

Relevant majors are defined as business administration, finance or public administration, management, economics, or accounting.

Relevant experience is defined as professional work of a fiscal, financial management, auditing, accounting, or budgetary nature. Experience in Public Financial Management will be advantageous.

Overseas and diverse working environment includes serving or working in an overseas context or in an economically disadvantaged domestic community (such as an inner city or Indian reservation) for the minimum number of years required, performing work directly related to the advertised Foreign Service Officer position, in which you experienced new cultures, learned foreign languages, encountered different cultures and practices, and/or coordinated and engaged with external partners and local counterparts.

Volunteer experience. Experience includes relevant paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, that meets the criteria as defined under "relevant work experience".

Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded as part of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application being eliminated from consideration. A transcript is only required for the degree you are using to meet the education requirement. The unofficial transcript must be issued by the university and include the name of the applicant, the name of the college/university, the degree awarded, and the completion date. The degree must be completed at the time of application. If we are unable to determine that you meet the required education, you will be found ineligible for further consideration. If you proceed past the initial application phase, official transcripts must be received by USAID from your university/institution during the final selection process. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements. Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position. It is your responsibility to provide evidence that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States when applying. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of accreditation of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. There are two nationally recognized associations whose members can provide this accreditation: the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( https://www.naces.org/members ) and the Association of International Credential Evaluators ( https://aice-eval.org/ ). More information about this process may be found at https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Equal Employment Opportunity policy. USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID's EEO Statement . We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.

The skills and abilities described in USAID's Foreign Service/Senior Foreign Service Skills Framework are required of all foreign service officers and form the basis for the foreign service performance management and promotion systems. During the recruitment process, candidates are evaluated on the following skills which can be found in the Skills Framework:

Required Competencies:

Financial Advisor
Interpersonal Skills
Customer Service
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Adaptability and Flexibility
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
Information Gathering, Analysis, and Problem Solving
Financial Management
Consensus Building

Education

Education & Experience:

FS-05: Applicant must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND at least 30 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level in accounting and business law, of which 24 semester hours must be in accounting PLUS four (4) years of relevant experience (a CPA can substitute for 2 years of relevant experience); one (1) year of overseas experience or in a diverse working environment is preferred but not required; OR a Master's degree in a relevant major and at least 30 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level in accounting and business law, of which 24 semester hours must be in accounting PLUS two (2) years of relevant experience. One (1) year of overseas experience or in a diverse working environment is preferred but not required.

FS-04: Applicant must have a Master's degree in a relevant major and at least 30 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level in accounting and business law, of which 24 semester hours must be in accounting PLUS five (5) years of relevant experience; one (1) year of overseas experience or in a diverse working environment is preferred but not required, OR a Doctorate in a relevant major and at least 30 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level in accounting and business law, of which 24 semester hours must be in accounting PLUS three (3) years of relevant experience; one (1) year of overseas experience or in a diverse working environment is preferred but not required.

Additional information

Benefits and Allowances. USAID offers generous federal benefits that include health and life insurance; annual, sick and home leave; contributory government pension system ( Foreign Service Pension System ); Thrift Savings Plan (with agency matching funds), a student loan repayment program; and while serving overseas, government-provided housing, shipment of household effects, education allowances, country specific incentive pay and allowances, and other support.

Telework. USAID defines telework as a work flexibility arrangement in which an employee performs the duties of their position of record on-site as well as from an approved alternative worksite other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work, on an approved work schedule. During the initial training period in Washington which can last 12-24 months for most new employees, new foreign service officers will be allowed to telework a portion of each two week period if their training and supervised work arrangements allow and there is prior approval from their supervisor. There will be times when they must report in-person 100% of the time based on training and work requirements. This includes all language training at the Foreign Service Institute, and the initial Orientation in the first five weeks on the job. When assigned overseas, telework flexibility is determined by the policy for the U.S. Embassy in that country.

Medical Clearance. A medical clearance or waiver for the applicant is required prior to being hired for this position verifying that the applicant is able to serve at any USAID overseas post. Many USAID assignment locations are remote, unhealthy, or have limited medical support. Therefore, prior to being appointed to the Foreign Service, applicants must have a thorough medical examination and must be able to receive a medical clearance for worldwide availability or obtain a waiver of this requirement.

Foreign Language Ability. Foreign language ability has no effect on whether or not you are selected for an interview. However, to reach required tenured status, you must be able to achieve minimum proficiency levels in a USAID tenuring languag e. Candidates who demonstrate proficiency through an online test will be given the opportunity to test for bonus points that will be added to their final interview score. Bonus testing will be conducted via telephone and/or in person.

Minimum and Maximum Age at Appointment, and Mandatory Retirement Age Career appointments in the Foreign Service are covered by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended which requires an applicant to be 18 years old at time of application and which directs mandatory retirement at age 65 (chapter 8, section 812). Given this mandatory retirement age and the fact that five years must be allowed to achieve tenure in the agency, Individuals must be appointed on or before their 60th birthday, unless the applicant is a preference-eligible veteran who may be hired up to age 65.

Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer is required.

Moving/relocation expenses are authorized for individuals who are not currently living in the Washington, DC area and are not current federal employees with a duty location in the Washington D.C. area.

Applicants who previously applied for this position and were interviewed will not be invited for another interview within one year from the prior interview for the same position.