Internal Control Officer

About WEE-RDP/MRRD:

The Government of Afghanistan (GoIRA) launched the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Priority Program (WEE-NPP) on March 8th, 2017. The WEE-NPP forms the third pillar of the GoIRA’s Gender Strategy which is encompassed in the broader Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) – the country’s five-year development plan. The WEE-NPP aims to build poor women’s capacity to strengthen the economy of their households, communities, and the entire nation. It is structured as an umbrella program (rather than a stand-alone project/operation) that would operate through over a dozen line ministries (through ongoing or pipeline projects) and coordinated through a Program Coordination Office (PCO) in the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MOLSAMD).

The Mission of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) is implementing the Women Economic Empowerment Program (WEE-RDP) to ensure the social, economic, and political well-beings of rural society, especially with the poor and vulnerable people, through the provision of basic services, strengthening local governance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. MRRD accomplishes this mission through donor funded national programs (Citizen Charter, Sustainable Economy Growth and the Boarders Sustainable Development) defined as the MRRD pillars.

Women Economic Empowerment-Rural Development Project (WEE-RDP) is a flagship national initiative of the GoIRA and part of the Sustainable Economy Growth pillar of MRRD, which intends to increase social and economic empowerment of rural poor women in selected communities during a five year project. It would work in 5000 villages in all 34 provinces across Afghanistan in close collaboration with Citizen Charter (CC) and assuring convergence with other MRRD projects, NHLP project of MAIL, Access to Finance project (TUP) of World Bank, etc. The project will work closely work with Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and other stakeholders from financial sector to promote access to finance in selected rural areas.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Internal Control Officer (ICO) will perform internal audits (post-transaction) of all aspects on WEERDP operations to ensure compliance with approved WEERDP policies and procedures (in accordance with the framework documents - Grant Agreements, Financial Management Manual, Operations Manual, HR Manual, Procurement Manual, and other GoA regulations. The ICO will report findings of all audit work to the WEERDP Executive Director (ED). The purpose of this position is to ascertain and provide assurance to the ED and Senior Management that WEERDP Operations are being implemented in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures and adequate control mechanisms are being implemented.

Job Description:

DETAILED DUTIES AND TASKS

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Internal Control Officer will:

Be responsible for ensuring that all the policies and procedures as mandated by the approved framework documents for WEERDP, as well as the normal financial management, procurement and HR protocols and other GoA regulations, are correctly followed.
Obtain and understand all the WEERDP framework documents which are in place;
Develop a risk analysis framework, including risk mitigation strategies, relating to the WEERDP financial, administrative, procurement and personnel/HR aspects. The internal audit work plan/program (as mentioned below) should be developed in line with the risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies;
Prepare, update and manage a monthly, quarterly and annual work plan/program for internal auditing, for approval by the Executive Director;
Perform internal audits of all aspects of WEERDP operations including but not limited to the following:

Organizational processes

Financial transactions (e.g. payments, accounting and financial reporting, petty cash, etc.)
Fixed assets
Procurement actions
Stocks and supplies
Field operations
Project site visits
Other relevant areas
The internal audits will be focused on (i) reviewing the systems and procedures which are in place and making recommendations to address gaps or outdated systems and procedures; and
Undertaking sampling checks relating to financial transactions and administrative, procurement and personnel activities to determine the efficiency and accountability of these transactions and activities;
Prepare brief and concise monthly reports, in an agreed format, for Senior Management on auditing activities, identifying areas of concern and discrepancies, and proposing remedial actions with timelines and responsibility for the implementation of corrective action. Follow up the required remedial actions to ensure they are properly completed, and report to the Senior Management accordingly. In addition to the regular reporting, immediately report to the ED any significant issues which come to light during the course of the carrying out of the internal audit program
Take part in meetings to present findings and issues, and discuss remedial actions;
Build and maintain productive working relationships across WEERDP at both the PMO and PO level, and with the relevant departments of the MRRD with which WEERDP has a work interface;
Make regular field trips (at least once per quarter) to audit the operations of each Provincial Offices (POs);
Prepare recommendations for the modification of WEERDP policies and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations based on the findings of audits;
Act as the focal point for external auditors and facilitate them in the performance of external audits;
Review previous and current external audit reports and ensure that any audit findings and observations are addressed;
Ensure that records of the internal audit program carried out are maintained in a logical and efficient way;
Other tasks as assigned by the ED.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge/Experience, Qualifications/Skills and abilities required:

The successful candidate will be able to work without direct supervision, pay attention to detail and will exhibit personal commitment, drive for results, efficiency, flexibility, respect for diversity, creative thinking and problem solving.

Knowledge/Experience

At least 4 years of relevant work experience in auditing  activities;
Familiarity with the activities/operations of organizations to implement development projects;
Knowledge of GoA policies and procedures and WB guidelines;

Qualifications/Skills

Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in a related field (Business Administration, Finance, and other relevant fields)
Planning & Organizing - Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
Communications - Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including ability to prepare written documents/communications/reports etc;
Technology Awareness – Good computer skills using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the Internet,
Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Fluency in English (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) required;
Fluency in written and spoken Dari/Pashto;

Abilities

Ability to work in an independent and objective manner, in terms of the professional integrity requirements of the position;
Ability to work independently, in terms of this being a sole position for the Unit;
Ability to build and sustain effective work relationships with a diverse range of clients, partners, peers and subordinates to achieve common goals;
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure;
Professionalism in appearance and demeanour;
Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative.
Willingness and ability to travel in rural Afghanistan.

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1548/020/HRCSD/WEE-RDP/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted.

 The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is highly committed to increase women’s participation in government sector therefore women are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af