Ghana Director of Finance and Administration - Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Project Overview and Role:

The position will be on an upcoming USAID/Ghana project that addresses a key constraint restricting the development of commercial agriculture and obtaining full food security in Ghana – access to finance necessary to enable investment in agricultural value chains.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The role of the position is to provide overall management of operations, administration, logistics, procurement, human resources, information technology, property and security in the project office in Accra, as well as support for budgeting and financing, with the goal of ensuring that the project is implemented in accordance with USAID and Palladium rules, regulations and procedures. Supervision will range in scope from daily oversight of project facilities (office space, equipment and vehicles) to liaising between staff and administration, to ensuring that the project has sufficient systems in place to facilitate timely reporting and representing the project to Palladium and USAID personnel. As the team will be small, the role might incorporate a variety of tasks and any candidate that can demonstrate a wide range of proficiencies will have an advantage. 

General Duties:

• Manage administrative staff in the Accra office: the Office Manager, the Accountant, and the Driver, along with any interns engaged for administrative purposes.
• Serve as the project’s local human resources (HR) representative, liaising closely with Palladium home office team members on all HR issues
• Manage all service providers for the project (e.g. Internet, cleaning services, etc.)
• Oversee all non-technical project procurement, in line with procurement rules.
• Oversee office facilities including rents, lease agreements, security, office utilities and management of relationships with landlord
• Manage drivers and vehicles and oversee driver allocation for technical and administrative staff and activities. Ensure appropriate vehicle use as per project rules and regulations
• Oversee regional travel and transportation requirements and arrangements
• Support timely procurement and implementation of all training workshops and activities
• All other duties deemed necessary by the Chief of Party and his/her designate

Personnel Management:

• Coordinate employment contracts and modifications for short term consultants with home office
• Prepare salary verification as required (obtaining needed verification documents)
• Coordinate annual staff performance reviews and ensure completion of these on a timely basis
• Assist in identification and procurement of local consultants
• Liaise with insurance providers in coordination with home office as needed
• Liaise with home office in international staff, interns and consultant mobilization process
• Maintain individual records with contracts, detailed scopes of work, salary histories, etc. for local consultants
• Liaise with internal security team to ensure staff safety
• Ensure impeccable procurement files and that the project’s procurement rules are followed by all staff on the project
• Support financial audit teams as needed.

   

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience in office management and project administration
• Microsoft office suite proficiency and the ability to operate spreadsheet and word-processing programs at a highly proficient level
• Proactive problem-solving, decision-making and good judgment skills
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to manage confidential information
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with managers, colleagues, service providers and clients
• Professional and mature demeanor and conduct
• Ghanaian nationals preferred.
• A degree in Management and Administration, Finance, Human Resources or 5 years of equivalent experience