FINANCE OFFICER

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programmes include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. There are 4 main programme offices in Somali region, one in Yemen, one in Ethiopia, one in Kenya and one regional office in Nairobi. There are also non operational region wide initiatives, focusing on advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the Nairobi regional office. Currently there are over 400 DRC staff in the region. The last 3 years have seen some growth in programme size, but primarily there has been a growth in the number of support and management functions demanded and required by the programme offices, in order to maintain quality and accountability.

Purpose

Provide overall support on all financial matters within the regional office, monitor and initiate development of a constant improvement of financial and administrative systems, procedures, guidelines etc. which can lead to more efficient financial management in line with DRC guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

Review of financial documents and transactions

• Review all financial documents for completeness, accuracy and timely processing of payments.
• Ensure that all financial documents have valid budget codes before payments are processed.
• Verify the bid analysis for the Regional Office to confirm that the proper selection of supplier/vendor has been made.
• Reviews the monthly Regional Office payroll for accuracy.
• Ensure all documents presented for payments are in line with DRC and donor policies.

Cashbooks

• Ensure cashbooks are updated on daily basis.
• Ensure monthly cashbook deadlines are met and guide the regional finance staff on how to improve the quality of cashbooks.
• Review cashbooks and ensure corrections are made so that the books are acceptable to Regional Finance Controller and Headquarters.
• Evaluate cashbook reports and give feedback to the related staff using a cashbook rating system.
• Monitor all liabilities especially reconciling advances and accruals on monthly basis so that any outstanding liabilities are cleared in timely manner.
• Ensure Nairobi Regional Office financial documents are scanned on timely basis and sent to Headquarters.
• Ensure cash counts are done on weekly and monthly basis.
• Ensure there is a proper filing system of all financial documents within the Regional Office.
• Cash-flow
• Ensure that each department within Regional Office submits weekly cash forecast on timely basis and evaluate the cash requests for reasonableness.
• Ensure that there are enough funds both in cash and bank to meet the daily need of the office.

Support to the Regional Finance Office

• Assist the Regional Finance Controller and Manager as needed in other office duties.
• Provide problem solving and skills training of finance staff within the Regional Office.
• Suggest relevant trainings to the Financial Controller and participate in actual trainings.
• Troubleshoot, analyze and tidy up the Regional Nairobi Office finance accounts.
• Assist the controller in ensuring smooth internal and external audits.
• Support the Regional finance staff to enforce payment schedules such cash hours and payment procedures.
• Ensure Navision data entry is done on daily basis.
• Complete any other task as assigned by the Regional finance Controller and the Regional Finance Manager.

Supervision

• Supervise Accountant, Finance Assistant and Accounts Assistant to make sure they meet their financial deadlines.

Reporting Arrangements

• Reports to the Regional Finance Manager.

Duration

1 year contract with possibility of extension

General Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Must possess degree in Finance or Accounting and at least part II certification in CPA or ACCA.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in a similar role with international NGO.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Proven Management and supervision skills, team player and proven commitment to accountability practices.
• Must be proficient in MS Excel.
• Knowledge in Navision Financial System will be an added advantage.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Stable and robust character.
• Excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humour
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Preferable:

• Experience working in Regional Office or similar setting.

Application and CV

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post together with details of current and expected salary. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Finance Officer”, to drcjobs@drchoa.org no later than 25 January, 2012.