Title: Finance Officer

Location: Afar

Employment Category:  H2

Reporting To:  Area Manager

Duration: 11 Months

Posting date: July 4, 2023

Required Employee: 1

Salary: USD 540.00 to USD 656.00 based on you work experience and educational qualification.

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:

The Finance Officer will facilitate the efficient and effective financial management of the DRC operations in Afar field office. The Finance Officer will ensure compliance with all DRC finance and grant compliance matters in close collaboration and guidance of Support Services Manager and Base Manager.

S/He will be responsible for budgeting, financial planning, reporting and be an audit focal point at field level, for a smooth functioning of the finance, as well as assuring linkages with other departments and country wide. S/He will also be responsible for monthly reconciliation, monthly cash book closing and cash projection for the program for a smooth functioning of the finance operation in Afar field office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Payments, Transfers and Forecasts

·       Ensure all payments are made timely and in accordance with existing DRC procedures,

·       Ensure all payments meet requirements of National Law and engage with authorities, tax advisors or other stakeholders to ensure tax requirements are met accordingly,

·       Ensure that payment documents comply with DRC internal financial procedures and donor regulations,

·       Conduct weekly cash counts with the Finance Assistant and month end cash count with Support Service Team Leader/Base Manager

·       Responsible for preparing fund requests as needed after collecting all forecasts from program,

·       Ensure proper transfer of funds from DRC CO in Ethiopia to Afar field office

Accounting

·       Ensure all expenses enter the DRC Dynamics in time and of highest quality,

·       Ensure to update cashbooks on a daily basis to reflect the actual status of existing cash count and bank balance in all currencies,

·       Maintains overview of balance sheet items (3XXXXX,7XXXXX,8XXXXX,9XXXXX) and ensure there is no outstanding item older than a month,

·       Ensure all bank accounts statements are reconciled,

·       Ensure proper filing system for financial documents,

·       Review and handling the expense report, travel requests and cash advances via DRC Dynamics,

·       Ensure sufficient cash in the bank and in cash boxes,

·       Review and check the quality of the scanned financial supporting documentation,

·       Coordinate the process of addition/deletion of Bank Signatory for DRC bank accounts and preparation of Documents,

·       Stamp monthly the invoices with the donor stamp and/or the stamp “paid”.

·       Provide the financial review of all Purchase Requests (PR) and request for payments in accordance to the set limit in the area Internal Delegation of Responsibility and Authority,

Budget control, planning and reporting

·       Monitor project budgets closely and advise base manager/project coordinators on any issues of concern,

·       Liaise with Program Managers on regular budget monitoring,

·       Prepare and use budget control tools for regular budget follow up,

·       Support the development of new proposals with financial information for budgeting,

·       Ensure compliance with donor requirements regarding financial management.

·       Ensure all Finance actions for monthly BFU meetings are addressed on time before the next BFU meetings including rebooking.

Tax and Audit management

·       Ensure that the withholding tax is well calculated, recorded in the Dynamics System and paid on monthly basis,

·       Follow up on the staff statutory and taxes payment on monthly basis and ensure that all receipts are collected and archived,

·       Collect the taxes receipt notes when the payment is done,

·       Participate in audits preparation/execution (compilation of audit requirements),

·       Provides feedback and enhances internal controls to satisfy audit requirements,

·       takes part of providing data and records during the audit process,

·       reports immediately on irregular spending to CO Finance Controller or Finance Manager as deemed appropriate.

DRC Dynamics ERP System

·       Ensure ERP finance functionalities are properly used by concerned staff and the team has proper knowledge and access to information to use DRC Dynamics

·       Ensure the area management team are supported to develop their skills and use of DRC Dynamics budgeting and financial tools,

·       Provide training to finance and non-finance on DRC Dynamic System.

Other supports required for this position:

·       Provide technical support to the program/Support team of Afar base, if required.

·       Takes part of regular staff meeting and respects to the weekly task report in line with performance management.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master

DRC’s core competencies:

·       Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  

·       Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  

·       Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  

·       Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

·       Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.  

Job Requirements

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in financial/accounting field

• Advanced proficiency in Excel

• Basic proficiency in PowerPoint and Word

• Advanced English proficiency

• Fluency in local language

• Experience in working in NGOs

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

·       BA Degree in Accounting, Finance and related fields.

LANGUAGE: (Preferable)

·       Excellent proficiency in written and spoken Amharic and English.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit an 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 CLICK HERE under Vacancies.  

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than July 18, 2023.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo
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, color, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics
We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.