Deputy Controller

BACKGROUND: USAID is the largest bilateral donor in Liberia and maintains close relationships with a range of Government of Liberia (GOL) counterparts. Its development program focuses resources in four technical areas: Democracy and Governance, Economic Growth, Health, and Education. The technical offices are supported by four support offices – Program & Project Development (PPD), Acquisition & Assistance (OAA), Financial Management (OFM), and Executive Office (EXO).

As a Performance Management Focus Country, USAID/Liberia spearheads several USAID initiatives: Feed-the-Future, the Global Health Initiative, and the President's Malaria Initiative. The Mission has a robust localization program with several key activities implemented by local actors, including the Government of Liberia and other local organizations. Liberia ranks among the world’s poorest countries in terms of per capita GDP. It is in the bottom six percent in the UNDP 2020 Human Development Index.

The country is also characterized by pervasive corruption impacting the delivery of social services. As a result, the Mission has a strong focus on robust financial management controls and accountability systems. The Incumbent serves in a highly specialized capacity encompassing the provision of financial management services for management operations, program and development activities, and the management and oversight of Office of Financial Management (OFM) operations and staff.

The Deputy Controller/Financial Management Specialist (FMS) is in charge of strategic and technical affairs of OFM operations including accounting, payments, reporting, internal controls, procedures development and financial management and monitoring of program activities. In the absence of the Controller, the Deputy Controller/FMS assumes duties and responsibilities of that role, which may or may not include certification of payments.

The Deputy Controller/FMS serves as one of the Mission’s senior subject matter experts in Partner Governments Public Financial Management, leading USAID/Liberia’s approach to direct financing with local organizations and the host government. The Incumbent advises senior management on a wide range of financial management operations and public financial management, which is used to frame the Mission’s internal and external engagements. The position is in the OFM and reports directly to the Mission Controller.