Position:    Internal Control/Compliance Specialist

Division:    Financial Management

Report to:   Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Band:        C

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth.  The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins.

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

The Internal Control/Compliance (ICC) Specialist supports the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who leads the Financial Management Directorate and has overall responsibility for MCA-Nepal financial management activities.  The ICC Specialist will be expected to carry out the following among his or her primary responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Internal Compliance  

• Support CFO in adherence to all financial management provisions of the Compact and related documents;
• Oversees the Fiscal Agent contract to ensure that the Fiscal Agent is providing all the financial management services, such as funds control and payment processing, required in its contract and in the Fiscal Agent Agreement.

Internal Control

• Reviews and updates a financial management operation manual, known as the Fiscal Accountability Plan (FAP), which outlines all procedures necessary for financial management operations, documents sound internal controls, and designates the officials that have the authority to approve obligations, verify receipt of goods and services, and execute payments.

Planning 

• Plans and oversees audit requirements and ensures audit findings are resolved timely; 
• Support the Financial Management division in developing program accounting reports, including special reports required by the MCA-Nepal or the Board of Directors and the Government of Nepal.

Risk Management 

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all aspects of the FAP;
• Ensures that MCC funds are exempt from all taxes and refunds for taxes are paid as detailed in the Compact Agreement, Program Implementation Plan, and/or any other associated agreements;
• Supports preparation of MCA-Nepal’s annual Program budget for the entire Compact period, as well as detailed budgets with the Projects/Unit and any Implementing Entities;
• Serves as liaison with the Project/Unit Managers, other personnel, and any Implementing Agencies on internal control and compliance matters and issues;
• Monitors expenses against budgets to ensure adequate resources and control of funds.  Provides quarterly contract disbursements and other necessary information to the Monitoring, Evaluation & Economic Analysis team in order to track process milestones for the Compact on internal control and compliance matters and issues.

Administration & Operations

• Manages and reviews the work of related personnel and ensure quality of outputs and provide day-to-day supervision;
• Assists in matters related to office insurances, which includes assets insurance, public liability insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on internal control and compliance matters and issues;
• Reviews and provides advices to contracts related to the day to day operations of MCA-Nepal;
• Performs other tasks and special projects as assigned.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Must hold Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) from a recognized institution in the following or equivalent fields: Accounting, Banking & Finance, Commerce, Finance, Financial Control, Chartered Accountancy Business Administration, Business Management, General Management, Economics, or in equivalent field.
• At least five (5) or more years of progressive professional experience, (notwithstanding whether earned before, after or during pursuit of required academic qualification) in managing the corporate finance or finance function, preferably in international development, governmental organizations, or donor agencies.
• Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant holding a Certified Accountancy or equivalent Financial Management certification is a plus.
• Experience in developing and managing financial management processes.
• Experience in managing balance sheets, managing costs and containing risks.  
• Experience in instilling a financial discipline within the organization, while dealing complex internal and external regulations.
• Experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of automated accounting and financial management systems. Advantage for specific experience in SAP-based systems.
• Knowledgeable about taxation issues especially relevant to project development organization.
• Excellent command of English and Nepali languages, both written and spoken.
• Excellent communication, coordination skills, management and supervisory skills; demonstrated ability to interact and collaborate with people across departments, divisions and institutions.