• Position I.D. FY2011.85.Corp
• Hours:   Full-time
• Salary: Commensurate with ten years relevant financial experience with USAID program operations, field project management and support services
• Location: Bethesda, MD

About University Research Co., LLC (URC):

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, University Research Co., LLC (URC), along with its non-profit affiliate Center for Human Services (CHS), is a leader in public health consulting. Established in 1965, our work spans over 30 countries around the globe. URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join our mission at www.urc-chs.com (http://www.urc-chs.com/careers).

URC currently has U.S. government contracts, grants and cooperative agreements and is pre-qualified under three Federal procurement vehicles that facilitate rapid acquisition of services. URC-CHS has global field programs funded by USAID, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Gates Foundation and other clients, and employs over 150 staff in its headquarters and offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and roughly 500 staff in overseas field offices.

Background:

Operating in a climate of significant growth and increasing U.S Government regulation and oversight, URC is creating a new unit to focus on issues related to field financial risk management and control, process improvement and more effective field operations. Heading this unit will be the Director of Compliance whose primary responsibility is to “transform corporate cultures in such a way that our business anticipates dangerous situations rather than merely reacts to them.” He or she will ensure the development and implementation of strategies, policies and procedures to enable URC to mitigate ongoing and potential risks to the organization. The Director advises senior leadership of current and potential risk factors in URC operations and leads the development and implementation of plans to address them.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Compliance will be responsible for the planning, implementation and documentation of Financial and Administrative reviews performed by the Field Review Team. In conjunction with the Project Operations Manager, the Director will develop and train HQ and field staff to ensure management, financial, administrative, and contractual accountability and quality control with U.S. government procedures and regulations. Together they will act as a central resource at the corporate level to ensure that all policies and procedures are updated and made available as and when needed by all the technical project management offices in URC headquarters and worldwide.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Take the lead and identify current and potential exposures present in the URC operations and in collaboration with senior leaders, develop and implement strategies to mitigate the identified risks and ensure continued operation of URC-CHS.
• Lead the on-going assessment of compliance throughout the organization, proactively identify issues to be addressed and lead the development of appropriate measures to minimize the occurrence of non-compliance liaising with senior leaders as necessary to identify priorities and solutions.
• Prepare Terms of Reference for Field Reviews of URC projects. In conjunction with the appropriate VP, identify the objectives of the reviews and document the results.
• Choose team members, do solo reviews or hire consultants who will perform the reviews and prepare the report as required.
• Manage the review activities at the project site and see that team members assist the field staff in implementing corrections /fixes as part of the review effort.
• Collaborate with auditors to develop Corrective Action Plans as a result of audit findings, staff trip report findings or observed noncompliance; ensure implementation of Corrective Action Plans, working with assigned staff/teams to determine URC-CHS compliance standards.
• Develop and implement tracking systems for project offices to monitor and document compliance with the Field Operations Manual and specific process corrections assigned to them.
• Directly support Reviews done by our customer by attending the entrance conference, providing answers and information to the extent possible and report results back to the headquarters office. The Director is the Donor audit focal point.
• Answer questions and provide guidance to Operations VP’s, COPs and Field and HQ finance and administrative staff regarding interpretation of the Field Operations Manual and other financial and admin guidance. Update guidance as required as improved processes are developed.
• Provide guidance and training to Program Directors, Program Coordinators and Program Officers to assist their efforts to monitor and control financial and admin processes on their projects. Work with the Field Accountant to develop accounting/Quickbooks training for projects as required.
• Manage and oversee URC Safety and Security of overseas programs, staff and equipment, maintaining the corporate security policies and supporting and facilitating security services to URC’s various project management units around the world.
• Responsible for the oversight of field office Set Up and Close Down procedures including registration, office and housing leases, labor laws, hiring of local staff, training new finance and administrative staff, and other key areas.
• Present lessons learned in knowledge management sessions and promote the sharing of best practices with Project Coordinator, Program Officers, and other internal staff for better implementation of URC-CHS programs and activities.
• Organize and develop information format for HQ program reviews and insure that financial management and control are being implemented consistent with the Field Operations Manual and identified financial/admin weaknesses are highlighted and corrected.
• Manage the activities of the Project Operations Manager and provide guidance and training in those efforts.
• In liaison with the Corporate Compliance Officer, conduct investigations of alleged noncompliance as required. Recommend and lead where appropriate, taking action to address continuing noncompliance issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Please note: All candidates must be eligible to work for an indefinite period of time in the U.S. without visa sponsorship.
• BA/BS degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field; MBA preferred
• Ten or more years of experience working with U.S. government-funded (preferably USAID) contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with understanding of field management and operational issues
• Understanding of government FARS, USAID specific regulations and cost and compliance principles
• Strong written and oral communications skills and ability to draft clear, concise guidelines
• Four years of experience working with international programs, including knowledge of risk, safety and security of project management in developing country settings, strongly preferred
• Proven ability to work well with corporate executives and diverse international staff at all levels
• Track record of working with teams in HQ and in field operations and financial reviews & mentoring staff in operations and support services such as field staff hiring and management of staff and operations
• Knowledge of international development or health project implementation and operations desired
• Ability to travel to field offices in Africa, Asia, Central America, Middle East, and Europe, as needed

To Apply:
For immediate consideration, please apply via our online system using this link:

https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=572946

Please cut and paste your cover letter in the “Application Notes” section and upload your CV where indicated. Or, combine your cover letter and CV into one document and upload into the system. Other option:  fax your cover letter and CV to HR at 301-941-8650 with the position title in the subject line.
 
Only finalist candidates will be contacted. Since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our consultant database against other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you.

URC is an E-Verify Employer

URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value and seek diversity in our workforce.