VISTA Technology Services is currently seeking a Financial Advisor on our Criminal Justice Program Support Task Order in Liberia.

The Finance Advisor will mentor leaders within the LNP so that the LNP themselves can 1) institutionalize a system for creating and justifying credible budget requests; 2) develop and implement a sustainable financial system for receiving and holding funds; and 3) develop and implement a sustainable accounting system for payroll, operating expenses, and other costs. The financial and accounting systems must incorporate generally accepted accounting principles, professional standards of financial controls, processes, and procedures in order to ensure financial integrity, transparency, and accountability.  

The Finance Advisor will:

• Advise and mentor the LNP Finance office to implement a system to identify “ghost” employees and other fraudulent activities in the finance process and policies to respond to illegal behavior.
• Advise and mentor LNP administration personnel to implement new procurement system to ensure development of proper specifications for equipment purchases and infrastructure development for the LNP;
• Support liaison efforts with LNP representatives, the Liberian Ministry of Finance, the Liberian Ministry of Justice, UN-MIL, and other donors on issues related to LNP budgeting and finance;
• Provide budget mentorship to LDEA, in coordination with the Counternarcotics Advisor, and to the Ministry of Justice in coordination with INL’s JAMS project, on an as needed and as available from LNP duties basis.
• Coordinate and collaborate with INL’s JAMS project in order to mentor LNP and LDEA to implement administrative changes and requirements as they are developed.
• Be responsive to Liberian priorities and U.S. government (USG) goals and strategic objectives for Liberia;
• Maintain regular communication with the INL Director in Monrovia;
• Assist in briefing senior U.S. Mission officials;
• Provide advice to the U.S. Embassy, UNPOL, the MOJ, the LNP, and other key partners on matters relating to the development of criteria for selection, vetting, and training of civilian law enforcement personnel. The Police Finance Advisor shall exercise particular care in following established vetting procedures in accordance with the Leahy Law, a law that prohibits U.S. foreign assistance to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if evidence exists that members of that unit have committed gross violations of human rights, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy;
• Provide advice to the INL Director in Monrovia and to INL’s senior bilateral police advisor on programmatic challenges and areas where U.S. Embassy intervention could help achieve INL and the U.S. government’s goals and objectives;
• Monitor accountability and functionality of equipment and facilities provided to the LNP by the U.S. government;
• Coordinate with and mentor LNP administrative staff, in consultation and coordination with the Senior Advisors.

The Finance Advisor may work in Monrovia or in other parts of Liberia. Shift work may be assigned.

In order to enhance LNP’s capacity for Procurement, the Finance Advisor will work with the leadership of LNP to develop and implement Standard operating procedures and policies governing the procurement of goods and services by the LNP.  

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to possess/maintain MRPT certification;
• In possession of a current and valid driving license for at least one year;
• A Bachelor Degree in financial management, public finance, business, accounting, or a related field from an accredited college or university;

• A Master’s Degree in financial management, public finance, business, accounting, or a related field from an accredited university;

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ recent experience in executive-level financial management, public finance, business, ac-counting, or a related field;
• Minimum of five (5) years of that experience to be either:
• In a company or other entity with at least 500 employees and with locations in multiple states / countries; and/or
• In State or Federal government in at least the GS-14 equivalent ranking.
• Minimum of five (5) years of that experience in a position which dealt with both internal and external partners.
• Previous responsibility, at any career stage, for coordination of or participation in negotiations with outside organizations;
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, developing, and implementing financial management processes and procedures that incorporate professional standards of financial controls, and financial accounting and reporting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and methodologies of finance, strategy, business process re-engineering including project leadership experience in strategy development, implementation, and strategic communications across all levels of a financial department;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to handle complex situations;
• Strong interpersonal skills; proven ability to work well with others. Ability to work effectively both in a team environment and independently to achieve the desired end state;
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills;
• Proficient with basic MS Office computer programs; able to organize, analyze, prepare, and present information to a variety of audiences;
• At least one year of experience working as an advisor/mentor in an international mission.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in police development/reform overseas or other relevant experience overseas, particularly in developing countries;
• Extensive experience managing and/or directing programs in police force;
• Knowledge of USG contracting practices and experience in contract oversight;
• Experience working or coordinating with USG agencies (e.g., USAID, Justice, State, and/or Defense);
• Ability to explain, promote, and defend USG policies to senior law enforcement officials of other nations and the host country and representatives of international organizations;
• Demonstrated experience implementing financial controls that overcame corruption;
• Possess strong leadership/influencing skills – makes decisions, self-directed, self-confident, positive, good negotiator, able to prioritize personal and team activities;
• Ability to exercise a high degree of professional judgment, diplomacy, and tact at all times in order to build successful relationships with Liberian partners and the international community;

VISTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Disability/Veterans Employer