Job Purpose:

The Accountant, reporting to the Finance Officer for Regional Office General Accounts, performs the following activities. This includes, but not limited to, monthly fund request for the Regional  programme, focal person for the Regional ’s bank account detail and signatory changes, timely settlement of monthly statutory obligations for the Regional office such as taxes and pension payables, ensuring timely reconciliation of Advances, Income taxes (payroll and withholding) and Pension accounts. The post holder reviews Regional office payment requests for such as procurement documents, medical expense claims, insurances, flights, cessation benefit claims, and field office fund requests in consideration of the authorized bank balances for each location. The post holder also performs other related finance activities as requested by the line manager/s.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

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.

• Focal person for processing all bank account detail and signatory changes for the Regional program and timely update of the bank detail database.

• Ensure timely closing of inactive bank accounts and track that the bank signatories are active by timely removing terminated ones

• Ensure that all the Regional office monthly cash counts and bank reconciliations are received timely, as per the month-end time task timetable. Liaise with the file clerk for checking filing of these reconciliations in the ‘Month-end’ box file.

• Focal person for reviewing all the medical documents, insurance, flights, and lease payments and keep database for them for easy tracking.

• Responsible for settlement of tax liabilities (payroll and withholding taxes) to the relevant government office.

• Prepare Cessation Benefit payments for staff attaching necessary documentation, including copy of the updated Cessation Benefit schedule. Ensure that the necessary project and CB codes are used in the payment forms.

• Review procurement paperwork, payment request forms and other finance documents for the Region office general accounts, per the assigned threshold, to ascertain that they

• Consolidate fund requests for the Regional office monthly and submit for approval.

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

B)      Budget & Financial Reporting:

• Liaise with the file clerk in updating the month-end document handover-tracking sheet and when there are delays, follow up with the finance officer/s copying the line management.

• Ensure monthly balance sheet reconciliation reports are produced with adequate level of details and approval for Income taxes (payroll and withholding), Pension.

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

• C)      Audits and Compliance:

•  At year-end, prepare final Cash/Bank Statement and Reconciliations for all locations.

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

D)     Other Duties:

• Cover Cashier role whenever the cashier is away.

• 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.

• Ensure Concern WWE’s safeguarding, anti-fraud and whistleblowing policies are adhered to all the times.

•  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); 

• 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. 

Safeguarding

• Able to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, and feel confident that they have been understood.

•  Understands local safeguarding structures and arrangements.

• Practices in a manner that seeks to reduce the risk of abuse, harm or neglect.

• Identifies and refers to appropriate services any other associated persons including carers, family members and children at risk.

• Able to document safeguarding concerns, and maintain appropriate record-keeping, recording the wishes and views of the adult or child at risk, differentiating between fact and opinion.

Emergency Response

Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Gender

• 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.

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role.

• Adequate knowledge of financial and tax regulations and 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.

Competencies:

Desirable:     

·       Knowledge of Microsoft Great Plains (MGP) software.

·       Experience with NGO accounting and finance system.

·       Ability to motivate others and promote accountability among staff.

·       Skills in time management and prioritizing.

·       Problem solver and ready to develop and train others.

·       Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic.

What we offer

·       A competitive salary and benefit package

·       Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)

·       20 days annual leave

·       26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18weeks(unpaid) parental leave

How to Apply

Interested female applicants should submit non-returnable C.V., application letter outlining how their experience and education fit this vacancy, AConcern Worldwide Ethiopia – Jigjiga Coordination Office

please note that no need to submit your supporting documents:    

Only short listed candidates will be contacted

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 organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization 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.