Partner Accountant - Beirut

Background The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and nonprofit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 30 countries around the world. DRC has been operating in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian and Iraqi refugees, as well as Lebanese communities affected by the war in 2006. DRC is committed to basic humanitarian principles; including impartiality and neutrality, and offers the highest standards of accountability to the people it serves. DRC Lebanon has been assisting the Syrian displaced, fleeing Syria into northern Lebanon, since May 2011, and the Bekaa valley since February 2012. This assistance has come through the provision of food and non-food items, various outreach activities and rehabilitation of collective shelters. DRC is inviting local candidates to apply for the position of Partner Accountant, to support its activities in Lebanon. Duties and Responsibilities Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Partner Accountant will assess, confirm, and monitor local implementing partners to ensure that their financial work is completed timely and in compliance to DRC and donor regulations. Identification, Assessment, and Selection of Partners Complete and review partner pre-assessment questionnaire. Confirm suitability of partner and ensure proper authorization of contracts before partner work begins. Prepare contracts and reporting documents.  Confirm that the contract and supporting annexes are properly completed. Set up and monitor partner accounting including creating chart of accounts, assisting with cashbooks or financial report forms in accordance with DRC internal policies and procedures. Partner Monitoring To perform periodic reviews of partner organizations’ financial functions and to support and train them, as required. To assess and monitor the partners’ financial systems to confirm that there are adequate controls over cash and bank accounts. Review field office expense reports on a monthly basis ensuring that reporting methods and supporting documentation conform to donor regulations and DRC internal policies and procedures. Maintain a current working knowledge of donor regulations to ensure donor compliant partner financial reporting. Ensure correctness of partner and project data in DRC financial system, Navision. Coordinate closely and communicate project performance on a regular basis with Program Managers and decentralized staff and provide periodic reports to all field offices and program managers of high risk areas of partner performance. Ensure compliance with agency requirements regarding logistical and procurement procedures including, purchasing regulations, and maintaining a proper asset inventory list. Capacity Building of Partners Maintain a timely and proper organization of the accounting supporting documents into files according to the donors’ way of reporting. Assist in the on-going development and monitoring of procedures, and controls, and to ensure that the partner is compliant with DRC and donor policies. Prepare for and train field office staff and partner finance by telephone, in person and through skill building workshops, as needed. Collaborate with the finance and program departments on the preparation and revision of local accounting and administrative policies handbooks to ensure that the handbooks are accurate and current. Required qualifications: Undergraduate degree in finance, business or related field 5 years’ experience in NGO accounting or finance Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills Proven ability to communicate effectively with offices/staff Ability to effectively manage multiple activities simultaneously and meet deadlines Excellent communications skills (written and oral) in both English and Arabic Willing to travel regularly throughout Lebanon Starting date: Candidates should be available to start from Monday 6th January 2014 Conditions: DRC offers a competitive local salary and benefits package. The position will require full presence in the Beirut office from Monday to Friday, in addition to weekends when needed. Application: Applications should include a detailed CV and cover letter.  Please forward the application, in English and marked "Partner Accountant" to the following e-mail address: vacancy@drclebanon.dk. The deadline for submission is Friday the 20th of December 2013. Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.