The Government of Liberia (GoL) requested the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to contribute to the Liberia Agriculture Sector Investment Program (LASIP), particularly Smallholder Tree
Crops and Agro-forestry Development. The Executive Board of IFAD approved the “Smallholder Tree Crop Revitalization Support Project (STCRSP) in November 2011. STCRSP specific objectives are:
(i)increase the quantity sold and price received by poor farmers for cocoa and coffee by rehabilitating plantations,
(ii) improving access to markets through rural roads rehabilitation and maintenance system development; and
(iii) strengthening Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and/or private extension services as well as Farmers Based Organizations.
The MOA wishes to recruit highly motivated project staff to implement the STCRSP and the ongoing Agriculture Sector Rehabilitation Project (ASRP). The project staff will be anchored in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the MOA Program Management Unit (PMU). The incumbents will be awarded 1 year contracts, renewable every year on the basis of satisfactory performance, for a maximum duration of 5 years. The MOA now invites application for the following positions:
Purpose Of The Position:
To handle project accounting for the STCRSP and provide assistance to the Financial Controller in all financial management aspects of the project
Reporting To: Financial Controller, IFAD Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist the Financial Controller in the implementation of a sound project accounting and financial management system;
• Prepare financial reports, including monthly funds reconciliation, and monthly expenditure statements;
• Prepare transaction vouchers, and input all transactions into the project accounting system after approval by the Financial Controller and the Project Coordinator;
• Process all payments, ensuring that STCRSP procedures are strictly adhered to;
• Process monthly payroll, payment of salaries to staff, social security and tax contributions;
• Assist the Financial Controller in the preparation of withdrawal applications;
• Assist the Procurement Officer in handling project procurement;
• Prepare cash flow forecasts as required;
• Monitor financial returns from Implementing Partners;
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets;
• Maintain a well-organized and up-to-date filing system for accounting/financial records;
• Perform physical inventory of fixed assets each year;
• Prepare required documents and reports, and provide assistance to the external auditors and to IFAD missions as needed; and
• Undertake any other activities assigned by PIU management.
Required Qualification:
A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in accounting from a recognized institution
Minimum Experience:
A minimum of 5 years work experience in project accounting, preferably in donor funded-projects. Work experience in an audit firm, NGOs and the private sector will be an added advantage.
Key Competencies:
Demonstrated ability to set priorities, plan, coordinate, monitor work performance;
Self-starter, self-motivated and result-oriented
Required Skills:
Proven capacity to perform financial analysis;
Working knowledge of an Accounting Software; and
Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Application Procedure
Applications with detailed curriculum vitae (CV), including telephone and email contacts, copies of educational certificates and names and contact details of three references of high standing, should be sent by both courier and e-mail to:
Director, Program Management Unit
Ministry of Agriculture
Somalia Drive, Gardnersville
Monrovia, Liberia
E-mail: mmzinnah57@yahoo.com
Deadline for receipt of application is Friday, March 16, 2012 at 1600 p.m. Only suitably qualified and shortlisted candidates will be contacted to attend interviews.