All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships. Being an employee of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ethiopia the Finance Officer is expected to represent NRC in a responsible manner and always act in accordance with NRC’s Code of Conduct.

Roles & Responsibilities:

To support the Area office and make sure that finance department function efficiently in the area of financial accounting, management, monitoring and reporting. The Finance Officer is responsible for the cash flow, accounting and financial reporting at Benishangul Gumuz Area.

General responsibilities:

• Ensure adherence to Financial Handbook, other NRC policies and donor requirements
• Implement delegated Finance function according to plan of action
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by Finance Coordinator
• Ensure proper filing of documents
• Train and develop financial team
• Distribute information and reports as required
• Prepare bank accounts and cashbox reconciliations
• Verify that vouchers and supporting documents meet NRC standards before payment
• Ensure timely payment of staff salaries, contractors, suppliers and other expenditures
• Support project staff in all financial matters & others

Specific responsibilities:

• Support the Finance Coordinator at the area in day to day financial issues & activity
• Provides assistance in timely monthly closing and ensuring Area Office are able to close on agreed upon deadlines
• Prepare financial reports and documents of the area office and insure that they are timely sent to CO. 
• Work closely with logistic department to insure that asset register is updated regularly and match physical assets.
• Temporarily assume the position of the Finance officer/ Finance Coordinator until a permanent replacement can be identified and trained and fill in the gap where finance staff is on leave.
• Prepare a trip report for each assignment and submit to FC and Other
• Provide training and support to finance and non-finance staff regarding generally accepted financial procedures and NRC internal controls.
• Assist in year-end closing and audit document preparation
• Maintain open communication with Finance, program staff and others for all financial clarifications
• Ensure safe custody of an adequate amount of petty cash float, to be issued in accordance with NRC policies and procedures.
• Responsible for implementing and monitoring of internal controls in order to ensure consistency of financial policies of the organisation.
• Assemble documents for data input in the accounting system, verifying project numbers/codes, resource numbers and total costs.
• Review payment requests for accuracy, completeness, compliance, level of authorisation and clarity on the invoices.
• Prepare and review of payment vouchers and invoices for accuracy and reconcile discrepancies.
• Follow cash advances and their purposes and ensure value for money when verifying accountabilities, and also ensure that accountabilities are prompt and cleared before reports are sent to CO.
• Make all payments including field payments after approval by the concerned body and after compiling and verifying the accuracy of necessary documents.
• Coordinate financial matters with third parties like banks, vendors and tax authorities
• Responsible for monthly check on 70/30 regulations.
• Supervise Finance Assistant.
• Any other duties assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications and Competences:

Generic professional competencies:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance or Accounting
• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience
• 2 year of INGO experience is a plus
• Good understanding of financial management and/or training skills.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strict attention to policy and practice detail
• Very strong financial analysis skills
• High integrity
• Good knowledge of financial reporting systems in donor funded work
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to function independently and as a work team leader/facilitator
• Excellent computer skills with hands on experience on computerized accounting systems; and Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Behavioral competencies:

• Planning and delivering results
• Self-starter, highly motivated
• Analyzing
• Empowering and building trust
• Handling insecure environments