Finance Controller (Compliance and Audit) - Re Advertised

Job Description

Title: Finance Controller (Compliance and Audit) - Re Advertised 

Location:  Addis Ababa with periodic travel to Field offices (Gambela, Dimma, Jigjiga, Dolo, Shire and any newly added locations)

Employment Category:  G1
Salary Range: USD 1,001.00 – 1,217.00 per month which specific amount will be determined up on candidates experience and educational relevancy

Reporting To: Country Finance Manager

Start of Contract & Duration:  10 months renewable based on availability of budget

Re-Posting date:  March 29, 2023

Closing date: April 13, 2023

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender-based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

Overall purpose of the role:

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country.  The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.  The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Provide onsite support and conduct periodic spot checks, reviews, and audits of DRC operations (Ethiopia) through review and audit of financial systems, and other policies and procedures to determine the accountability and assess the reliability of the control systems as a whole and to identify the measures needed to ensure that the systems are functioning at the desired levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

Ensure field offices and CO management get timely and quality financial information and technical support that will help decision making, budget monitoring and financial control.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Compliance – Field Monitoring (Country office and Field Offices)

• Provide remote and onsite support to DRC Offices related to document checklist, minimum documentation and review, physical archiving and electronic archiving, audit, and other compliance related matters.
• Conduct regular periodic spot checks, internal reviews, and implement action plans (based on both internal and external audit reviews) to address weaknesses and improve internal control systems.
• Review and validation of financial records for compliance with DRC’s Operations Handbook and donor policies and procedures for all support units (log, procurement, HR, finance, admin).
• Responsible for regular and ongoing quality check of payment requests/ financial documents prior to payment and providing DRC colleagues with clear feedback / guidance on improvement of systems to avoid payment delays due to lack of documentation.
• Prepare internal control review reports; keep up to date on donor compliance rules, regulations, and DRC’s Operations Handbook policies and procedures. 
• Perform periodic reviews, in-depth analysis and reconciliation of key accounts (balance sheet items mainly cash, deferrals, advances, intercompany accounts, suspense and clearing accounts) and recommend action points.
• Support in timely completion of the month-end procedures and year-end closure of accounts
• Undertake Partner Finance reviews and conduct monitoring visits

Risk Mitigation – Strategic

• Support the Finance Manager with development of SOPs and localized policies as needed based on identified gaps in organizational policies, or based on local requirements (such as statutory audit proceedings)
• Monitor use of internal controls and provide guidance to strengthen them
• Validate and review compliance self-checks and follow up on action plans
• Develop innovative compliance self-checks and collaborate with the Regional Office Compliance department to ensure that areas of poor or weak controls are controlled by implementing new policies and checks on a regular basis.

Audit (Internal and External)

• Serve as the focal point for project specific external audits in coordination with the Finance Manager and Head of Support Services.
• Facilitate annual statutory audit of the Country Office and its timely submission to the regulator
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements of the regulating agency, labor law and taxing authorities.
• Review Addis and Field Office accounts and Prepare monthly reconciled schedules for payroll tax (PT), Withholding Tax (WHT), and Pension fund (PF).
• Liaise with field Offices and send a reminder to all field offices that PT, WHT PF are paid to Inland Revenue and customs Authority on monthly basis
• Report and give assurance to FINANCE MANAGER that all tax and pension obligations are settled.
• Ensure the recommendations of both internal and external audit are implemented and follow up are made every quarter.

Fraud and Corruption

• Assist in investigations into fraud and corruption as requested by DRC’s Code of Conduct Authorizing Officer.
• Identify risks and develop/ improve internal control systems to reduce the associated risks

Job Requirement

Experience and Technical Competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least 3 years' experience working in compliance functions in the finance field at a similar level position.
• If not compliance related experience, at least 5 years working in Finance field (general).  
• Experience working for a large INGO in Ethiopia, with in depth knowledge of INGO rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience and expertise in the use of financial system software, preferably an ERP system. Experience with Microsoft products is strongly preferred.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.   

Education (include certificates, licenses etc.):

• Master's degree in finance (MBA – Finance) or other similar field of Finance/accounts

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Excellent verbal and written English.
• Knowledge of Amharic an added advantage.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values