Job Description

Job Purpose/Objective

The Finance Officer, reporting to the Finance Manager for GL Maintenance, works with other finance team. Performs the following activities, with primary responsibility of maintaining and update of timely reconciliation of the monthly balance sheet accounts with adequate level of details and their approvals; reviewing of the head office cash book, bank books fuel report; assist in preparing monthly routine journals; conduct review of monthly local staff payroll and preparation of payroll reconciliations; review procurement paperwork; actively participate in the month-end activities; actively participate in periodic country office budgeting and reporting; and participate in Year-end account closing activities as assigned by the line manager. The post holder also performs other related finance activities as requested by the line manager.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

The Finance Officer will work under the supervision of the Finance Manager for GL Maintenance and carrying out the following main tasks:

A) Financial System:

• In compliance with Concern’s policies and procedures, assist implementation of country specific policies at the head office, such as authorization limits, cash holding limits, cash movements, advance payments, use of bank payment instruments, etc.

•  Review the month-end cash and bank books of the head office using standard hard and soft copy review checklists and provide timely feedbacks to the team.

• Perform first level payroll review liaising with HR and prepare payroll reconciliations and ensure that the payroll information is adequately supported with hardcopy documents.

• Provide inputs for adjusting entries arising from the assigned monthly schedule reconciliations. 

• Review procurement paperwork, payment request forms and other finance documents, to ascertain that they are in line with applicable policy and procedures.

• Review/update the monthly Fx rate, and submit for approval and scan to send Dublin. 

• Liaise with the File Clerk in filing approved journal vouchers with necessary supporting documentation on a monthly basis.

• Keep tracks of accrual schedules and ensure their validity and timely liquidations.

• Assist in preparing monthly routine journals; (i.e. fuel, rent, Insurance, Salary and adjustment)

• Carry out other related activities in line with month-end and year-end task plans.

B) Balance sheet related:

• Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliation for some selected balance sheet accounts with adequate level of details and get approvals; ( i.e. Payroll related accounts:- PF Payable account, PNC Payable account, Payroll Control account and WHT Payable account) and ensure that the balances at any given time reflect the correct payable amount.

• Responsible for updating the ‘Month-end’ box file with all monthly Balance Sheet Account Reconciliations (including supporting them with such as signed Cash Counts, Fuel Coupon Counts, Fuel Card and Bank Statements), Fx Rates, etc., liaising with all responsible.

• Participate in Year-end account closing activities as assigned by the line management.

C) Audits and Compliance:

• Provide financial information, related to the role, at the time of internal and external audits.

• Make follow ups in clearing all accruals within their liquidation period. Observe donor rules on expected liquidation period of each accrual transactions as some donors allow lesser liquidation period compared to internal policy.

• Responsible for completion of Year End Balance Sheet Details Forms such as Details of Debtors, Prepayments, Accruals, Creditors, and Expenditures on Contracts to Partners, if any, before or on 31st  of January every year.

• At year-end, prepare Year-end Supplementary Form (YE Checklist of Key Control, Implementation Channel and Sector analysis, if any). 

D)Team Management & Capacity Building:

• Ensure that proper finance orientation is given to the assigned Concern staff and support them in discharging their finance related responsibilities.

• Conduct field trips, in line with the ‘annual finance team field visit plan’, and when necessary and make follow ups to address all outstanding activities from the issues log/tracker within the agreed timeline.

E) Other Duties:

• Temporary gap filling role for a similar/lower position, when necessary.

• Representative in special task forces and committees.

• Actively participate in periodic inventory process, report and keep track of findings.

• Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the Program Participant Protection Policy and Concern Code of Conduct.

• Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the line manager/s.

 Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS): 

• actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E); 

•  Establish/strengthen the implementation of complaint response mechanism (CRM) at community level and ensure its functionality by closely working with the project team.

• work with relevant colleagues  to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;

• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behavior is disseminated among programme participants and communities. 

Gender Equality 

• Demonstrate understanding of Concern Ethiopia’s Gender Equality Strategy

• Contribute to ensuring that Concern Ethiopia is a place where men and women are treated equally and with  dignity and respect

• Demonstrate gender equality awareness and gender sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender equality perspective into tasks and activities.

Job Requirements

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/ Accounting with a minimum of 4 years’ experience in a similar role or Diploma in Finance/accounting with a minimum of 6 years’ experience in similar role

•   In-depth knowledge of financial regulations and accounting processes.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Acceptable knowledge of MS Excel.

• Very good written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.

• Honesty and Integrity.

• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity.

 Desirable:     

• Knowledge of any accounting software.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Great Plains (MGP) software is an added advantage

• Experience with NGO accounting and financial systems.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:    

Essential:

• Strong leadership skills with sensitivity in dealing with critical issues.

• Ability to motivate others and promote accountability among staff.

• Skills in time management and prioritizing.

•   Ability and willingness to work as part of a multi-cultural team.

 Personal attributes;

•  Open thinking with breadth of vision and ability to challenge the status quo.

• Problem solver and ready to develop and train others.

• Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply using THIS LINK

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

 Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Women and people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply