Job Description

Title: Finance Team Leader

Location: Jijiga 

Employment Category: G

Reporting To: Area Manager

Direct Reports: Finance Officer, Finance Assistant and Cashier 

Start of Contract & Duration:  12 Months

Posting date: July 24 , 2020

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 designated donor project budgeting, reporting and to ensure compliance with DRC’s Operations Handbook and Donor’s requirements. Donor reports deadlines must be on time, assist line manager for budget preparation, donor reporting, compliance, recording and processing of information in Dynamics system. 

This role focuses on field operations and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the field offices. 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. Finance Team Leader is responsible in assisting the Addis Finance manager for preparing donor reports within Jijiga field operation. 

Key Responsibilities

Finance, accounting and donor reporting

• Maintain timely and accurate accounting record in compliance with DRC policies and procedures.
• Support finance staff in all assigned field sub offices if any in maintaining accurate and complete accounting database and filing.
• Perform spot checks and furnish reports to Area Manager and Finance manager for his/her review.
• Develop donor compliance check list for each grant in Jijiga and get validated from Finance manager or HOSS in Addis.
• At field level-Jijiga, assist line manager (Area Manager) in conducting budget follow ups and monitor grant spending plan. Liaise with project Managers for regular budget monitoring; 
• Assist Addis finance in preparing donor reports. Ensure all accounting record/documents are submitted to country office as per set timelines.
• Provide onboarding orientation to national and internal staff related to finance;
• Ensure all financial documents are filed and archived systematically and safely stored.
• Ensure cash flow of field offices are 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 repots at the end of each month and ensure reconciliation of accounts on monthly basis through ERP;
• Support in developing and regular monitoring of budget controls, planning and reporting; 
• Support in review and update field support budget and ensure reflection of required cost in new proposals; 
• Support in development and implementation of shared cost allocation tools; 

Audit & Compliance

• Develop draft of post audit improvement plan and get approved from Support services manager.
• Audit focal person for internal and external audits, conducted in the assigned field offices.
• 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. 

Personal Leadership 

• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances;
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity;
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs

Team Management

• Create a sustainable work environment of mutual respect that attracts motivated, skilled and effective team members and enables them individually and collectively to strive to achieve excellence; 
• Periodically organize or coordinate mini and specific workshops/trainings for program team as well as Operations Support Team on finance matters from any donor source;
• Develop work plan for finance team in Jijiga field offices and share with Area manager for approval.
• Review and revise Job descriptions of finance team and perform performance reviews.

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.
• Focal person for area finance teams related to support to heavy users for finance module.

Job Requirements

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 5 years of relevant work experience in 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:

University degrees (Bachelors or master’s in accounting / Finance / Audit)

Languages:

English, Amharic & Somali - Fluency in spoken and in writing.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes. 
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback. 
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values

How to Apply

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 www.drc.dk under Vacancies.  

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than August 6, 2020.

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

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.