Finance Officer | Shire

Title: Finance Officer

Location:  Shire, Ethiopia

Employment Category:  NMGT Band H2

Salary Range: USD 540.00 – 656.00 per month, which specific amount will be determined up on the candidate’s experience and educational relevancy.

Reporting To:  Support Services Team Leader

Contract Duration:  July 31, 2024

Closing date: February 29, 2024

Required Employee: 1

Job Description

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:

Responsible for ensuring donor project budgeting, reporting and ensures compliance with DRC’s Operations Handbook, Donor’s, and Statutory requirements. Assist the line manager in budget preparation, donor reporting, compliance, recording and processing of information in Dynamics system. Manage, supervise, and build capacity of finance unit and plan all finance tasks in coordination with the team.  The role contributes to the development of field strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and technical guidance to field operations while overseeing field activities. The Finance officer is responsible for assisting the Country Office Finance unit with all finance related responsibilities of the Area Office.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Finance, Accounting, and Donor Reporting

• Maintain timely and accurate accounting record in compliance with DRC policies and procedures and Donor’s and Statutory requirements.
• Support and guide the area office finance staff in maintaining up-to-date, accurate and complete accounting database and filing.
• Perform spot checks and furnish reports to Area Office Support Services Manager and Finance manager for review.
• Ensure minimum document requirements are adhered to.
• At the area office level, the finance officer assists the support services manager in conducting budget follow-ups and monitoring grant spending plans. Liaise with project Managers for regular budget monitoring.
• Assist Addis finance in preparing donor reports. Ensure all accounting record/documents are submitted to the country office as per set timelines.
• Provide onboarding orientation to national and internal staff related to overall finance procedures and policies.
• Ensure all financial documents are filed and archived systematically and safely stored.
• Ensure the cash flow of the area office is maintained and cash and bank balances are maintained corresponding to operational needs.
• Safe keeping of cash in safe and transit to be ensured.
• Support the development of new proposals by providing required financial data, analysis etc.
• Produce accounts receivable and payable reports at the end of each month and ensure reconciliation of bank, cash and ledger accounts on a monthly basis through Microsoft Dynamics.
• Support in developing and regular monitoring of budget controls, planning, and reporting.
• Support in review and update area office support budget and ensure reflection of required cost in new proposals.
• Support in development and implementation of shared cost allocation tools.
• Supervise, coach, train and build capacity of finance staff at field level.
• Develop and review objective setting and conduct performance review for the Finance assistant.
• Organize and plan the finance unit task in coordination with team members to ensure effective and efficient coverage of all roles and responsibilities and execution of all finance tasks.

Audit & Compliance

• Develop draft of post audit improvement plan and get approved from Support services manager/AM.
• Serves as audit focal person for internal and external audits, conducted at the area office level.
• Train support services and program teams over donor compliance rules and monitor compliance accordingly.
• Implement and follow up on the post audit improvement plans as defined by line manager.

DRC Dynamics ERP System

• Ensure that finance processes under supervision are handled properly via DRC Dynamics.
• Ensure ERP finance functionalities are properly used by concerned staff and team has proper knowledge and access to information to use DRC Dynamics.
• Apply reports and data analytics from ERP system to improve performance in area of concern.
• Serves as focal person for area finance related support to all users for finance module..

Supply Chain Management

• Ensure procurement procedures are followed while being the focal point for tenders together with the coordination unit (including being a chairman for most major tenders
•  Closely follow department KPIs and ensure that monthly report submissions are timely and of high quality.
• Be a focal point and decision maker for fleet movement cancellations in line with AM advice.
• Work with the supply chain officer to ensure each of the sub departments (procurement, fleet, assets, warehouse, and IT) have targets and are meeting them, in line with Operation Handbook procedures.
• In the events of huge task load in procurement, support the supply chain officer in consultation of Area manager and country office supply chain manager/HOSS.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master

DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values. Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and personnel management skills, including diplomacy, communication and negotiating skills.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in the financial/accounting field.
• Experience in staff training and capacity building.
• Results-oriented and demonstrated ability to build partnerships.
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding work environment.
• Excellent skills in the use of computers (MS Word, Excel, outlook Power Point).

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Audit from a recognized institution.

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• English and Amharic and other local language is advantageous

 

How to Apply

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.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationForm/SinglePageApplicationForm.aspx?cid=1036&departmentId=19012&ProjectId=170347.

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than February 29, 2024.

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

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

         Female Applicants are highly encouraged to apply!!!