Country Finance Officer 172 views9 applications

Position Title: Country Finance Officer

Location: Juba-South Sudan

Reports to: Country Director

Contract Type; International

Salary Range & Benefits: To be discussed with successful candidates.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome.

The main services provided are in the field of education, emergency assistance, and psychosocial support and livelihood activities. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects. Currently JRS South Sudan runs programmes in two locations Yambio, Gbdue State and Maban, Upper Nile State.

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT/ROLE

The Country Finance Officer (CFO) is the overall responsible person for finance in the JRS Country Office. The CFO oversees all the financial aspects of the Country Office. S/he is directly accountable to the Country Director and works as part of the Country Office Team in close collaboration with the Country Programs Officer. S/he works with senior management personnel in each project (Project Directors and Finance Officers) at the same time liaising with relevant staff in the International Office and Regional Office. The role encompasses a range of responsibilities from project start up to closure, managing funding flow and contributing to evaluation processes.

Key Responsibilities include; –

· In co-operation and consultation with the Country Director, takes overall responsibility for the operational and strategic financial management of JRS South Sudan.

· Consolidates financial reports for the country and provides analysis so as to advise the Country Director on the financial position of the country at any time and alert relevant country personnel about issues as they arise.

· Prepares the country office for, coordinate and supervises the external annual audit and other project audits as required.

· Ensures adherence and implementation of JRS International Finance policies, carrying out relevant training for country and project personnel.

· Advises the Country Director on budgetary and monetary strategies and cash flow as well as financial implications of new projects.

· Contributes to the real time oversight function of the Country Office ensuring budgetary, procedural and policy compliance, working systematically with the Country Director, Supply Chain Manager, Programmes Officer and HR Officer in that regard.

Finance and Accounting

· Ensures compliance with all finance, procurement and asset management policies.

· Oversees preparation and systematic review of projects’ and country offices’ budgets and, in close collaboration with the Country Programmes Officer.

· Prepares financial proposals and reports working in collaboration with relevant field staff and the Country Programmes Officer.

· Prepares and develops monthly and quarterly progress reports for the Country Director/Senior Management Team.

· Identifies administrative and financial related risks, concerns and constraints, and proposes mitigation measures through the implementation of best practices.

· Acts as a point of contact for enquiries of financial nature from institutional and private funders, regional and international office.

· Reviews, elaborates and ensures compliance with country specific finance policies, in consultation with the Country Director and the International Office, and ensures careful adherence to JRS Finance Policy at all levels as well as donor rules and regulations.

· Verifies monthly payroll for the staff in coordination with the Country Director and Country Human Resources Officer.

· Ensures timely payment of staff salaries, contractors and other expenditures.

· Verifies supporting documents to ensure completeness before payments.

· Acts as public Officer for the organization and is the point of contact for taxation related matters.

· Leads and participates in the preparation of budgets and monetary strategies and cash flow and advises on funding implications for new projects.

· Ensures proper records are kept, maintain the books of accounts, i.e. ledger, sub-ledger, cash book and all other records as required; Maintains the filing system for all financial and accounting documents and transactions, and prepares periodic financial reports and submit for review;

· Manages bank and cash accounts, ensure sounds liquidity plan and ensures bank and cash reconciliations are done systematically.

· Co-ordinates and maintains a cash flow

· Takes overall responsibility for strategic and financial risk management providing accurate information to the Country Director/Senior Management Team and proposing risk mitigation and reduction strategies.

· Is responsible for the overall technical management of finance staff, working together with Project Directors and the HR Officer to develop capacity strengthening plan for each and monitor the performance of each.

· Establish and maintain comprehensive and transparent accounting system and fiscal control procedures for financial and grants management activities of the country.

· Lead and Participate in the preparation of budgets of each project and financial proposals for donors.

· Analyse and monitor program budgets; monitor and track obligations and expenditures against budgets. Coordinate and maintain a cash flow management and forecasting system ensuring adequate funds are available for programme needs.

· Examine and analyse accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.

· Ensure that all statutory requirements are met on time;

· Oversee the inter-company reconciliations;

· Establishes and adhere to sound internal controls to ensure compliance, prevent fraud and streamline operations;

· Supervise Finance and operations team to ensure delegation of functions and timely quality performance;

Project

· Travels to the project locations in order to provide field support

· In close collaboration with the Country Programmes Officer, oversees management of the Project Cycle and leads process of monitoring of all projects for financial/budget performance, reporting the outcome to the Country Director and advising on ongoing strategies;

· Ensures that JRS project teams implement and maintain the use of JRS international finance templates, reporting policies and tools

· Trains and provide technical advice to project personnel in use of finance tools and monitors progress, troubleshooting where necessary and providing input into their appraisal;

· Provides technical advice, support and assistance to finance and where appropriate other project personnel in field offices on issues related to financial management and internal controls, as well as financial regulations, rules, policies and procedures, including segregation of duties and delegation of authority;

· Provides assistance and advice to the Country Director in the recruitment of JRS staff (at country and project level) to perform financial functions

· In coordination with the relevant project staff, ensure that project/program expenses are incurred consistent with grant agreements and grant budgets;

Key performance Indicators

· On time consolidated reporting of country finances with appropriate analysis

· Timely reports to funders with responses to feedback and timely preparation of budget proposals

· Supervision of regular reconciliation of accounts in the Country Office

· Overall Country compliance with financial policies and procedures

· Implementation of resolution of finance-related issues and/or risks during field support missions

· Effective and responsive communication / networking with the Regional & International Office and external stakeholders

· Effective management of cash flow to all projects

Qualifications and experience:

· A University degree in accounting, finance, business and administration, or related areas;

· At least four (4) years of professional experience working in a finance-related role;

· Professional experience in a similar capacity with international, non-profit organizations.

Languages

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; professional working knowledge of French is highly desirable;

Required Skills and competencies

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and one or more internationally-recognized accounting systems;

· Prior experience in accounting, book keeping procedures, account reconciliation and data analysis;

· Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures relating to accounting, financial controls and financial information systems;

· Strong knowledge of laws and regulations that have an impact on financial analysis and management controls;

· Good ability in preparing financial reports such as statement of financial position, comprehensive income, changes in accumulated fund, cash flow

· Knowledge of Microsoft Navision is highly desirable

· Self-direction, creativity, and follow up skills to ensure work is accurate and deadlines are met;

· Ability to prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment;

· Ability to work in a multicultural environment and promote effective teamwork;

· Strong management, analytical and interpersonal skills;

· Good organizational skills and high attention to detail;

· Ability to manage and mentor finance staff effectively to grow capacity

· Ability to work with and maintain good relationships with multiple stakeholders;

· Demonstrated experience in working in developing countries is highly desirable;

· Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments.

Required Core values

· Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;

· Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.

· High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.

· Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;

Travel

The position requires regular travel to JRS project locations in South Sudan.