Contracts & Regulations Coordinator

CNFA-AMD Project

US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

Job Description

About CNFA:

CNFA is an enterprise development organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to stimulating sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investments in training, new technologies and marketing as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, to expand exports, and to develop skills in the rural workforce. By generating higher incomes for farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and distributors, CNFA helps improve livelihoods and reduce poverty.

Project Description:

The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA with the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture, particularly through improving the ability of Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demand and requirements in targeted product lines in citrus, mango, high value/off season vegetables and livestock. AMD envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector-led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD’s targeted interventions such as training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together, these interventions will upgrade and streamline supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase in horticulture produce export, enhancing participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistani mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV production and marketing more profitable and competitive.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Contracts and Regulations Coordinator will execute day-to-day GST applications / Vetting request related to all goods & services procurements activities of the project as per the set procedures, manual, template and guidelines. The Contracts & Regulations Coordinator will work in close coordination with finance, procurement and technical team to follow up on invoicing and timely submission of deliverables and invoicing of all AMD subcontracts. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Specific duties include:

• Apply for GST exemptions for Goods and Services related to procurement activities including equipment and business service providers.
• Keep a GST tracker and coordinate and follow up with vendors for Pro-forma invoices.
• Produce monthly reports on all GST cases applied for and provide update.
• Maintain a filing record for All GST applications and Reimbursements received from Vendors.
• Apply for vetting requests to USAID and coordinate with technical, procurement and administrative teams to obtain the vetting information required for filing vetting to USAID.
• Maintain an auditable record for all vetting requests and eligibility notices obtain.
• Prepare monthly report on vetting requests and update the record.
• Follow up on all purchase orders / subcontracts issued by AMD for timely submission of deliverables and related invoices.
• Support procurement department in execution of assigned procurements related to goods or services and their related contractual documents.
• Show a willingness to perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Finance and Compliance or Chief of Party.

Supervision/Reporting:

The Contracts & Regulations Coordinator is supervised by, and reports to, the Senior Director Finance & Compliance.

Working Conditions / Special Considerations:

The employee is expected to comply with the terms and conditions as noted in the letter of agreement with CNFA. This assignment is based in Lahore, Pakistan.

Qualifications:

• Pakistani national
• Masters (Accounting / Finance). Professional qualification will have an added advantage.
• At least 3 years of related working experience. Part of experience may relate to audit engagements in a reputable Chartered Accountant Firm.
• Experience of working in a USAID project on GST and vetting processes is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of best practices in internal controls assessment / implementation and monitoring.
• Experienced in computerized accounting system.
• Knowledge and working experience of USAID policies, rules and regulations related to vetting and GST exemption processing and procurement processes is required;

Preferred Personal Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe applications;
• Team player, with excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills in English, both written and oral.  Excellent Urdu, with regional language capability desirable.