Finance and Administration Officer (FAO) – Lebanon Economic Reform and Infrastructure Investment (LERII) Programme

LERII is a 4-year DFID-funded programme implemented by DAI that will support the Lebanese Government in implementing economic reforms related to electricity, roads, water, waste management, PPPs, PFM, investment climate and macro-fiscal reforms. To help achieve these objectives, technical assistance services will be made available to the Lebanese government ministries and agencies who are involved in direct planning and delivery of infrastructure and economic reforms.

The FAO will be supporting a complex technical assistance facility, requiring advanced programme management, operational understanding and administration support. Skills will include the ability to manage experts and assignments, ensure financial due diligence, manage and forecast project expenditure, and monitor and communicate results being delivered by the project.  

Programme Administration 

• Plan day to day office administrative, procurement, and maintenance requirements in compliance with LERII Internal Procedures Manual 

• Liaise with vendors to request quotes and procure office supplies, services, and equipment in compliance with the LERII Internal Procedures Manual and DAI Schedule of Approvals 
• Maintain up-to-date Asset and Inventory Registers and submit to Finance and Operations Director (FOD) for periodic review. 
• In conjunction with the FOD, perform and document a physical review of LERII Assets and Inventory to confirm compliance with DFID Asset Guidance, by the last work week of the Fiscal Year 
• Update Security on weekly movements and logistics with Programme Staff and Consultants travel details for review by the FOD 
• Submit updated weekly movement sheet to the security team each Friday.  

• Ensure timely update of shared Administrative and Financial folders and files including: All Consultants Fee Rates, Education, and Experience spreadsheet; Consultants CVs; Vendor Contact Details etc. 
• Prepare administrative financial tasks including flight and hotel bookings, staff advances and settlements. 
• Ensure safe off-site storage of weekly back up of up to date electronic files on the LERII local areas network 
• Act as the point of contact for Vendors, Consultants, and other key stakeholders. 
• Periodically review and recommend updates to administrative systems to ensure efficiency. 

• Ensure TAMIS is updated and effectively used by the team 
• Other duties as assigned 

Programme Financial Support 

• Support daily financial operations of LERII in conjunction with the operations and finance manuals, including cash flow management, time sheet recording, forecasting, budgeting, reporting to donor on the financial aspects of the project, and daily monitoring of expenditures.  

• Monitor up-to-date Asset and Inventory Registers with the Finance Director and submit to the Finance Director for periodic review. 
• Conduct vetting of suppliers, vendors and partners as requested by the Finance and Operations Manager – ensure vetting documents are appropriate stored 
• Initiate, request approval, make disbursements, and account for funds from petty cash and bank account in compliance with the LERII’s Internal Procedures Manual and Schedule of Authorities 
• In conjunction with the FOD, perform and document a cash count of funds in the LERII safe to verify the reconciliation amount posted at the end of the month in which cash is counted.  
• Prepare and submit monthly funds request to FOD for review and for approval before submitting to DAI at least two weeks prior to the date of receipt of funds 

• Collate timesheets for review by FOD and approval by Team Leader by the designated date of each month 
• Draft Monthly Labour Tracker for review by FOD and approval by Team Leader 
• Review project invoices for accuracy based on Team Leader/FOD approval of consultant’s deliverables 
• Support external auditors as directed by the FOD, PM, and Project Director (PD) 

Selection criteria: 

• A minimum of five years’ experience in a similar fast-paced role providing a wide range of finance and operations support to a team.  
• Previous experience of processing vouchers, payments, and cash transfers, maintaining up-to-date filing systems, monitoring expenditure. 
• Experience of coordinating logistics. 
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, systems, processes and good practice, including strong bookkeeping skills and meet deadlines. 

• Organised and able to manage multiple concurrent activities. 
• Enthusiastic and proactive problem-solver with an ability to think creatively and critically, and to use own initiative to drive processes forward.  
• Accuracy, attention to detail, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a fast-moving high-performing team. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a track record of successful coordination and effective working relations with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. vendors, service providers). 
• Proficiency in the effective use of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and accounting software. 

• Fluency in English (written and spoken). 
• A degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline. 
• ACCA/CPA or other recognised professional accounting qualification preferred.