Audit Specialist

Reports to: Chief of Party Location: Dhaka
Employment Status: Contractual Timeframe: October 2017 – February 2018

Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) in consortium with CARE Bangladesh and mPower is currently implementing the 5-year USAID Agricultural Extension Support Activity (AESA) project under a Cooperative Agreement No AID-388-A-13-00001 between USAID and DAM. The goal of the AESA Project is to strengthen the existing agriculture extension system in southwest Bangladesh in order to sustainably improve food security and nutrition for smallholder farmers, including women. The project works with around 110,000 farmer households, 800 public and 1000 private extension agents in 12 districts of central and southwest part of Bangladesh in order to implement capacity building and strengthening of a farmer demand-driven agricultural extension system, synergized by use of information communication technology (ICT). The project’s current timeframe is from October 2012 to October 2017 which has been extended up to February 2018 based on the formal approval of USAID. It can be further extended on the availability of funds and the performance of the incumbent. The project activities are being administered from its 12 district and 3 regional offices. There are a total of around 450 staff, majority of whom work under district administration.

JOB STATEMENT:

The Audit Specialist position will be based in the Project Head Quarter located in Banani, Dhaka. S/he will be responsible for overall management of the USAID Agricultural Extension Support Activity Project internal audit functions. This includes overall planning and scheduling of internal audit activities; oversight and support to internal audit team; assurance of quality internal audit reports; and follow-up action to ensure audit findings are responded to with appropriate corrective action. The Audit Specialist is responsible for the internal audit function for Dhaka Ahsania Mission, as well as partner NGO’s (CARE and mPower) to ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overall Planning and Management of Project Internal Audits

·  Develop an annual internal audit plan with tentative schedule

·  Develop audit guidelines to ensure all internal audits are complete in reviewing critical USAID compliance issues

·  Maintain a standard internal audit report format

·  Ensure the Internal Audit team is oriented to individual responsibilities

·  Communicate the internal audit plans and tentative schedule to field offices and project partners

Oversight and Quality Control of the Internal Audit Process

·  Monitor audit activities to ensure common standards and quality throughout

·  Take responsibility to review and approve all audit reports

·  Participate in discussions with audit recipients at the end of audits to ensure clear understanding of audit finding along with plans to address issues

·  Ensure follow up action and documentation after audits that require responses to findings

Audit Team Leadership & Supervision

·  Ensure all audit team members have a common understanding of Ag Extension Project audit procedures, tools, reports, etc.

·  Monitor and manage the audit team including direct supervision of team members and annual performance evaluations;

·  Participate whenever possible in audits – to ensure quality, monitor team capacities, provide on-the-job training, and ensure quality reports on audit findings.

Ag Extension Project Operations Capacity Building

·  Work closely with the DCOP – Operations and Finance Manager to assess needs to enable maximum compliance with USAID regulations;

·  Participate in planning and delivering training and orientation to project staff as needed;

Hold ongoing discussions with COP, DCOP and Finance Manager to continuously identify needs and strengthen project and Dhaka Ahsania Mission operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Academic Qualification:

·  Masters/MBA in Accounting/Finance or relevant field of study.

·  Candidates having completed Chartered Accountancy course is preferable.

·  Partly passed CA Knowledge Level/CMA Intermediate/ACCA partly passed will be an added advantage.

Working Experience:

·  Financial auditing experience, preferably within a national or international development organization;

·  Working Knowledge of financial planning, including budgeting and accounts projection;

·  Ability to detect and interpret patterns in financial data for effective Internal Control;

·  Ability to assess and improve financial systems and procedures;

·  Familiarity with accounting and auditing procedures generally;

·  Excellent spreadsheet analysis skills;

·  Attentiveness to detail, ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines;

·  Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

·  At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in professional accounting is required.

Knowledge:

·  A thorough knowledge and understanding of finance principles, theories, practices and terminology is required.

·  A thorough knowledge of Tax & VAT laws, regulations and procedures governing USAID financial management and USAID's project and programming policies and processes is desirable.

Other Skills:

·  Interpersonal communication skills and negotiation skills

·  Result driven

·  Ability to work under pressure and able to meet deadline

·  Good coordination skills

·  Good facilitation skills

·  High level of integrity and sense of maintaining confidentiality

·  Excellent computer (MS Office, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint) operating skills, preferably with accounting package.

·  Fluency in written and verbal English

How to apply

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to apply online through email: on or before September 14, 2017. Candidates should send application with complete CV (only soft copy) including contact number, passport size photograph and contact address of two referees to: The HR Manager, USAID Agricultural Extension Support Activity, Dhaka Ahsania Mission. You can also visit the project website http://www.aesabd.org for further information. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.

“DAM is an equal opportunity organization”