ISLAMIC RELIEF -Worldwide Since 1984- Representation Office – Ethiopia
Vacancy Announcement
IR/INT/EXT/VN/013.14 September 02, 2014
Post Title: Finance Officer Duty Station: Country Office, Addis Ababa Reports to: Finance Manager Salary: As per the organization scale Required: One Duration: One Year with possible extension
Introduction We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference to the lives of millions. We want people with integrity, people who are fair, impartial, honest and truthful. If you think you embodied these values then this is the place for you and your career. We promote learning organization features. Who We Are Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity founded in 1984 with its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities - regardless of race, religion or gender. The office officially started operation in Ethiopia in 2004. Islamic Relief Ethiopia (IRE) is operational in the Somali Regional State; Hargelle, Elkere, Bare and Dekasuftu, Afar Regional State; Ewa and Bidu and an additional operational office in Addis Ababa.
Job Purpose The primary responsibility of the person should be handling finance matters related to the institutional donors. The main duties of the persons would include: 1. Facilitate Fund transfer: Review project financial activities against financial plan, prepare Transfer Request Form, Collect fund transfer request from Program Department, Ensure timely transfer letter authorization and delivery to the Bank. 2. Budget Preparation: Collect budget information from different units of the Organization, Review and correct the draft budget, Prepare and compile draft budget for Country Office (Core Admin), Collect draft budgets of the projects, Advice Program Dept in preparing the Budget, Review the draft project budgets, Communicate findings and agree on final version. 3. Payroll preparation: Check Employment Contract file for new recruits and termination of contract, Check temporary employee file for new recruit and renewal of contract, Check status of staff Provident Fund - PF entitlement after probation period, Present Payroll for checking and approval, Prepare letter for salary payment/ transfer to savings accounts/letter to banks for CPO for Income tax & with holding taxes and sent to the Bank after payment authorization, Submit copy of letter initialed by the Bank to field Office, Retain copy of letter and collect bank advice for JV preparation, Distribute payroll slip to staff members, Prepare payroll summary for JV and File payroll copy for future reference. 4. Follow-up: Check whether budget originally allocated/approved for purchase request/services required, Present cheque and payment vouchers checking and initial on payments, 5. Ensure cheques/authorization letters are signed, Ensure cheques are timely collected/CPOs purchased from the Bank are sent to payee, Verify and ensure expense are within budget, Check and verify against previous payments, Handle matters that may arise in relation to orphan 1-2-1 payments and report to Finance Manager, 6. Controlling: Ensure all payments are carried out in accordance with IRW, Donor & Tax regulations. Return any incomplete documents by specifying missing documents, Present for checking and initial 7. Bank Reconciliation: Collect monthly Bank Statement, Collect Bank Account General Leger for the respective month, Reconcile and identify outstanding cheques, payments and deductions, Prepare Bank Reconciliation, Present for checking and approval, Follow up clearance of outstanding items of bank reconciliation 8. Record/Report: Ensure/participate in the daily Recording/posting all vouchers, Conduct quarterly budget variance analysis, Prepare quarterly financial budget performance evaluation report 9. Documentation: Ensure payrolls/JVs., PVs. are signed and filed, Ascertain payment vouchers supporting documents are complete, Ensure timely printing/availability of financial documents, Ensure copies of contracts (employment/purchases/services) are available in the department, Ensure Revenue Stamps are affixed to contracts, where applicable, Ensure all documents are filled on daily basis 10. Policy & Procedure: To ensure that that IRE is compliant with the donor Financial regulations - EC, OCHA and British Embassy DFID in the current case. This requires that the person fully internalizes the requirements, orient other employees and follow up compliance, implement financial regulations and tax laws to jobs. 11. Advice: To provide professional financial management advice to the budget holders and programme officers to ensure compliance with donor requirements. This requires that he does close monitoring of the budget utilization. The financial management advice should be provided in a structured way after the production and distribution of reports. This should be done at least on monthly basis involving the primary budget holders. 12. Monitoring: To put in place a system of grant monitoring system which includes robust fund transfer trucking system (IRW-IRE-PAO + Donor-IRE); follow up budget amendments with the donors; Monitor each and every income and expense of the organization, check whether there is formal, reliable and convenient accounting system and procedures, if not so propose better way of accounting procedures for country office as well as project offices. 13. Report: To prepare monthly bank reconciliations on QuickBooks system, prepare monthly financial and budget statements and submit to respective departments, prepare donor financial reports-monthly, quarterly and final- according to donors’ guidelines & within the time frame, prepare budget versus actual statement for budget authorization purpose. 14. Recording: Check the accuracy of recording of source documents; journalize code and post accounting data, integrating new donors’ budget code to QuickBooks system 15. Audit: Assist external/Internal auditors to facilitate their work on auditing, take the necessary audit recommendation/adjustments to be incorporated in the following accounting period. 16. Follow-up: Follow up timely submission of financial documents from field/partners, give professional assistance to field staff, review & examine take corrective action, orient & train field staff.
Job Requirement
Personal Specification
Bachelor’s degree in accounting with minimum of three years relevant experience; INGO experience is advantageous.
Experience in closing accounts and undergoing an audit is a benefit
Proven skills and knowledge in AX Accounting Information System Software
Proven experience in grant monitoring
Excellent interpersonal skills – builds good relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Good verbal and written communication skills in English
Good organizing and planning skills
Ability to manage a complex and demanding workload with flexible behavior
Commitment to humanitarian principles and action
Willing to travel to the field offices to provide support to the field team in their compliance with donor regulations