The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor (DRL) promotes democracy in four key areas: civil society, good governance, rule of law and human rights, and elections and political processes. The bureau engages in active, specific discussion bilaterally and in international fora to combat abuses and advocate for strengthening of democratic institutions. DRL pursuit is to ensure that the President's Freedom Agenda mainstreams into all areas of the Department's work and that DRL is equipped to support this mission.
The Financial Accountant in DRL’s Office of Finance‐ Program Division (DRL/EX/FPD) that is located in the office of the Executive Directorate to support the oversight of financial activities for various federal assistance programs that primarily will include the 1) Cuba, 2) Internet Freedom, 3) Syria, 4) Near East Regional Division (NERD), 5) China and other programs as needed. The position is located in Washington, D.C. and the position may require some travel to the Charleston Financial Service Center in South Carolina to have consultations with the Domestic Accounting office and Vendor Claims reimbursement office. In addition the purpose of this task order is to provide a Administrative Specialist in DRL’s Administrative Services Division (DRL/EX/ASD) which requires staff augmentation to provide support for the full range of Administrative Specialist functions, including receiving, reviewing, and processing requests for supplies, equipment, furniture and office services as assigned for the entire bureau. The position may require travel to support mission related taskings.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as Key point of contact in aiding Assist in the oversight and management of an estimated budget of $80M in Economic Support Funding (ESF) that usually transfers into DRL accounts during 3rd quarter and 4th quarter
• Provides assistance to the Finance Manager in managing and coordinating the ESF program funding portfolio.
• Serve on the team of experts the field finance and budget in Assist the Financial Management Division in managing a budget of over $350M in program funding in a highly tasked and challenging environment in the Executive Directorate.
• Monitor budget execution of the Economic Support Fund (ESF) payment drawdown ensure program objectives are met by the grant officer representative (GOR) such a required financial and performance reports.
• Draft correspondence to report financial findings on account discrepancies for review by Chief Budget Officer and Finance Manager when applicable.
• Initiate A4B document types within the Global Financial Management System, that are used to support the reclassification requests that are submitted quarterly to the Budget and Planning office to seek the Office of Management and Budget approval to extend the obligation authority of appropriated funds.
• Liaise with offices involved in financial review of reports and acquisition documents that contain foreign assistance program funding
• Skillfully communicate verbally and in writing to provide briefings, status updates, and advice upon request to the other Finance‐Program unit staff within FMD and senior personnel on any ESF account issues.
• Prepare responses to auditor inquiries on prior year accounts and oversee the portfolio consisting of 80% of the ESF funding for Grants, collaborate with the assigned analyst if discrepancies are found against any Interagency Acquisition Agreements, works in partnership with the Grant Officers for Cooperative Agreements and backup to respond to inquiries related to contract accounts designed to contribute to the mission and objective for the advancement of human rights, civil society, rule of law, and good governance through international programs. Activities that will involve multiple international and domestic private and public organizations, DOS and other federal and foreign government implementing funded programs on behalf of the office of Global Programs.
• The financial accountant provides represents and communicates FPD objectives and practices that are used to ensure adherence of State Department and Office of Management and Budget policy that involves obligating and recording Economic Support Funding and other Foreign Assistance transfer funding to include by not limited to receiving from regional bureaus and other Federal Agencies
• Consult with other offices and outside Agency including the office of acquisitions management, office of the legal advisor, and USAID to ensure the accuracy of the obligating authority of the ESF funding. The subcontractor represents and communicates FPD objectives and practices that are used to ensure adherence of State Department and Office of Management and Budget policy that involves obligating and recording Economic Support Funding and other Foreign Assistance transfer funding to include by not limited to receiving funds from regional bureaus and other Federal Agencies.

Skills Needed:

• Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, policies, and regulations regarding administration of grants.
• Excellent organizational skills and multi‐tasking abilities.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and multi‐task in a high volume, fast‐pace work environment.
• Good capability with standard software, including the complete Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), and an ability to learn and work with other software, as well as database applications.
• The ability to plan, organizes, and prioritizes multiple assignments with tight deadlines that often require coordination with other offices.
• The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to provide information and assistance, prepare correspondence and reports, explain policies and procedures, participate in meetings, and solve problems.
• Establish miscellaneous obligations in GFMS 7.6 for surcharge fees specific for cost amendments and new awards for the EUR regional grants only and when PMS interface of a grant or cooperative agreement is not possible
• Review and recommend to de‐obligate [PASS1] with supporting documentation in GFMS 7.6 on DRL close out requests from AQM
• PMS Pass 1 approval on 059 process on all foreign assistance in PMS
• Provide assistance with tracking prior year accounts for closeout 20011 through 2019
• Maintain electronic files for grant and cooperative agreement payments for audit purposes
• Provide interpretation and ensures compliance with operating policies from the Foreign Affairs Manual, Foreign Affairs Handbook procedures, and guidelines.
• Participate in providing technical assistance, guidance, and training to OES & DRL staff for travel management by way of brown bag tutorials.
• Facilitating the documentation for assisting customers with the travel credit cards applications based on defined regulations and maintain the certificate of completion files for travel training.
• Consults and assists departments in re‐engineering business process through development and use of the SharePoint intranet portal