CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: American Refugee Committee International
Country: Liberia
Closing date: 31 Oct 2014

POSITION TITLE: Finance Controller
COUNTRY PROGRAM: Liberia
RESPONSIBLE TO: Country Director
STATUS: Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: National Finance Staff
DATE: November 2014

Application Deadline:October 31, 2014

COUNTRY MISSION

The American Refugee Committee seeks to establish an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia. The ETU will be a high-capacity, isolated unit with up to 30 beds, which will require the oversight of approximately 125 staff, over a period of 6-9 months. Given the magnitude of the need, the plan is to set up the ETU immediately. Staff safety is an absolute priority and strict adherence to infection control procedures will be undertaken to protect staff. Given the tedious nature of the work, personal protective equipment which must be worn at all times in the heat and need for strict adherence to infection control protocols, staff will have ample rest time.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Responsible for oversight of all financial activities, budgets and reports for ARC’s Liberia country program.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES /
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Financial Management

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions including regular cash verification, bank and balance sheet accounts reconciliations, monthly closing, timely submission of financial report to headquarters (HQ), donors etc.
• Complete monthly balance sheet and intercompany reviews and reconciliations.
• Promptly respond to HQ finance queries including Intercompany charges.
• Update the financial compliance dashboard monthly, note and address any significant variances.
• Monitor grant spending through production of monthly Budget Versus Actual (BVA) analysis and ensure program teams explain significant variances and propose corrective measures.

Reporting and Budgeting

• Monthly closing, timely submission of financial reports to ARC HQ, donors, etc.
• Ensure on-time monthly submission to ARC HQ.
• Prepare timely budgets, cash requests and accounting reports.
• Monitor grant spending and projections.
• Assist in preparation of budgets for all proposals, including accurate support of budget narratives.
• Support program teams to accurately realign budgets whenever necessary.
• Provide regular and timely budget reports and analysis to the Country Director and field program managers.
• In coordination with HQ, lead the production of ARC country program annual budgets.
• Support the Country Director to produce and update donor matrixes.
• Liaise with donors on finance and budget issues as required.

Staff Management

• Supervise finance staff. This includes ensuring they are properly trained and know what performance expectations are.
• Carryout staff appraisals for finance staff.
• Organize and lead orientation and training session related to finance.
• Travel to the field as required ensuring systems are properly followed.
  Audit and Internal Control
• Implement and administer ARC systems for internal control, compliance, and accounting data processing and financial reporting functions in accordance with donor regulations.
• Develop internal audit function and perform internal audit and reviews to ensure compliance with ARC and donor requirements.

Other

• Maintain up-to-date, accurate accounting system, including: computer data entry and paper file system.
• Ensure local taxation law requirements are fully complied with.
• Other appropriate duties as assigned by the Country Director or HQ CFO.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Minimum 5 years senior finance experience required; 3 years experience working for an international NGO in complex emergency or post-conflict settings required.
• Experience in West Africa preferred.
• Experience in multi-cultural and multi-level programs.
• Bachelors degree required in Finance, Accounting, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with international donors and grant requirements.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft software products: Excel, Word, outlook etc and accounting software. Serenic or Sun experience strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in conducting finance training.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills as well as leadership skills.
• Sense of humor and good interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English required.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES

• Ability to work with a team in an intense environment.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Extremely flexible with the ability to cope with stressful situations.

How to apply:

Click here to apply