Accountant (0384)
- Salary:
€29,734 - €33,038
- Based
in Country:
Iraq/Syria
- Job
Title:
Accountant
- Contract
Type:
Unaccompanied Fixed Term International Contract
- Annual
Allowance:
e1,000
- Benefits:
See attached for benefits
- Closing
Date:
Programme Accountant
Syria and Iraq
About the role: This is a 12 month, replacement
role with unaccompanied terms based in Dohuk, Iraq with travel to North
East Syria with a salary within Band 2: €29,734 - €33,038
You will report to the Country Financial Controller (CFC)
and will line manage the Senior Finance Officer and Finance Assistant in
Duhok. You will work closely with finance staff inside Syria and liaise
with the Systems Director, Programme Director and individual programme managers
(Emergency Coordinator, WASH Coordinator and Protection Manager).
We would like you to start at the beginning of June 2018.
Your purpose: You will provide support to the
Country Finance Controller to ensure the effective functioning of the finance
department in Duhok and provide day to day technical support to programmes’
staff and work with NGO partners. The post holder will coordinate finance
issues and build the capacity of national staff for both Concern and partners,
and support national staff to manage and carry out the work of the finance
function.
You will be responsible for:
Controllership:
- Guided
by Country Financial Controller and his/her team, ensure that the Concern
Worldwide financial policies and procedures are adhered to and implemented
in a standardised manner.
- To
manage the finance department activities and schedules to meet the
financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by donors and
Dublin HQ.
- Closely
monitor all financial activities, and keep the Programme Director and
Country Financial Controller advised of all situations which have the
potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial
management performance.
- Assist
the Country Financial Controller with external (donor, audit firm, partner
organisation, government, etc.) and internal control audits as required.
- In
collaboration with all relevant staff, ensure the protection of all
programme assets (cash, inventory, etc.) through the enforcement of
internal controls and procedures, including regular updating of fixed
asset inventories.
- Maintain
up-to date knowledge of and implement local government requirements and
regulations related to financial matters including statutory deductions
from national staff salaries such as income tax, social security, etc.
Training & Staff Management:
- Train
the Senior Finance Officer so that s/he can take programme accountant role
upon completion of the international assignee’s contract period.
- In collaboration
with the HR Manager, ensure that job descriptions of the finance
department staff are up-to date and staff are clear with their roles and
responsibilities.
- To
carry out timely Performance and Development Reviews (PDR) of all finance
department staff but also develop and implement staff development plan for
the finance department staff.
- Lead
in facilitating and providing orientation. Basic training, technical
support and guidance to the country program staff, particularly budget
holders, for skills improvement in the areas of Concern and donor budget
preparation and monitoring, budget revision, reporting and its
interpretation, and internal control. as per Concern’s standard practices
Treasury:
- To
supervise all programme office bank relations and bank account activities.
- To
oversee the timely preparation, review and approval of all bank account
and cash reconciliations on as regular a basis as necessary for effective
financial control.
- Assist
the PD and CFC in ensuring compliance with Concern Worldwide policies and
procedures and assume responsibilities in the implementation of country
specific policies such as authorisation limits, cash holding limits, cash
movements, credit terms, advance payments, use of bank payment
instruments.
- To be
responsible for review of funds transfer requests from the field and
timely preparation and follow-up/handling of Cash Transfer Requests to the
field offices to ensure that appropriate balances are maintained to
facilitate programme implementation
Budget:
- Assist
PD and other budget holders in conducting the budget process, ensuring
that appropriate levels of technical support and guidance is provided to
all budget holders during the process of preparing the
annual country operating budget and subsequent revisions.
- Assist
budget holders with preparation of donor budgets; interpretation of
budgeting guidelines; ensure compliance with donor regulations and to
ensure their incorporation into the country annual operating budget &
revisions.
Partnership Accounting:
- Undertake
the CLOFAT assessment with potential Partners on a timely and
comprehensive basis;
- Summarise
CLOFAT findings and recommend whether partnership is workable with
resources available.
- Ensure
a Partner Finance Action Plan is developed and implemented for any
weaknesses found on the CLOFAT Through periodic systems reviews, trainings
to the partner and others initiatives. Update the Partner Finance Action
Plan as it relates to each partner with information as to capacity building
carried out, progress achieved, and any new capacity building needs
identified.
- Ensure
CLOFAT is signed off by all the relevant staff members (Country Financial
Controller, Programme Director, Project Manager and Country Director).
- Ensure
that all CLOFAT Progress on Finance Action Plan documentation are
maintained on the Partner File for future reference.
- Monitoring
For each Partner, using CLOFAT and any other available material as a
basis, prepare a Partner Monitoring Programme.
- Carry
out Systems Review visits in accordance with the Partner Monitoring
Programme.
- Perform
regular Transaction Audits in accordance with the Partner Monitoring
Programme.
- Review
financial reports and transaction lists provided by the partner on a
timely basis, bringing any unusual transactions and budget variations to
the attention of the Programme Manager.
- Ensure
an updated risk assessment is completed at least annually and is signed
off by Senior Management After each field visit prepare and disseminate a
Partner Visit Report.
- Partner
Contract Management Assist the partner, in conjunction with the Programme
Manager, on budget preparation. Ensure the Partner is able to submit
regular and accurate Financial Reports using the template provided by
Concern. For any Partner Finance Report issues found, obtain appropriate
explanations from the Partner staff before recommending the release of the
following tranche of funds. Incorporate any weaknesses found on the
partner report compilation into the Partner Finance Action Plan. Assist the
partner in meeting any procedural requirements (whether those of Concern
or of a donor) detailed in the Partner Contract.
- Ensure
regular communication with Programme, Finance staff and Partner staff is
maintained at every level of Partner Management.
- Ensure
programme staff are aware of their responsibilities in regard to
monitoring of partners. Ensure sign off from appropriate senior Programme
representatives is obtained on the CLOFAT, Partner Monitoring Programme
and Annual Risk Review.
- Ensure
Partner Reports and findings are circulated to all interested parties
within Concern and the Partner. Ensure all documentation relating to
Concern‘s financial relationship with the partner is filed correctly and
updated where necessary.
General:
- Support
emergency responses when required.
- Represent
Concern at relevant coordination meetings at local and national level as
required.
- Contribute
to development, review, and revisions of financial and systems related
procedures.
- Any
other tasks mutually agreed with the PD and/or CFC.
Your skills and experience will include:
- Part
or full Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA).
- 2-3
years finance experience, preferably in an international development or
relief context.
- Experience
in developing staff capacity both on technical and management aspects.
- Experience
managing significant programme budgets.
- Experience
of working with and supporting partner organisations.
- Willing
and able to work in a sometimes stressful and constrained working
environment.
- Must
be fully fluent in English and preferably also Arabic.
We would also like:
- Knowledge
of development issues and concepts.
- Ability
to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
- Good
team worker.
- Good
communication and negotiation skills.
- A good
understanding of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word, Excel etc.
- Knowledge
of accounting software, specifically Microsoft Great Plains would be an
advantage.
- Cross
cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Empathy
with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and
participation.
- Good
communication and training/capacity building skills.
- Proven
organization, planning and management skills.
- Flexible
and adaptable to a changing environment.
All applications should be submitted through our website by
closing date. CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.
Documents
