Finance Manager

Helem, is the first LGBTQIA+ rights organization in the Arab world, officially established in Beirut, Lebanon in 2001. Its mission is to lead the struggle for the liberation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Intersex, Transgendered, Queer (LGBTQIA+), and other people with non-conforming sexualities and/or gender identities in Lebanon and the SWANA region from all sorts of violations of their individual and collective civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Our goal is to empower young LGBTQIA+ leaders to advocate for their own liberation. We seek to create initiatives and spaces where our communities can leverage unity through diversity and build power. We protect and support individuals with the resources to resist the harm caused by homophobia and transphobia. We empower our youth through education and community building and mobilize to change the laws, policies, and practices that deny us equality and reduce our quality of life.

Helem runs various programs and advocacy campaigns and provides a wide range of services to members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Lebanon, including emergency response, case management, legal assistance, social support, family support, and mental health support. It also runs one of the largest non-commercial queer spaces in the MENA region through its community center and prioritizes decriminalization, labor rights, housing, hate speech, and economic empowerment as advocacy priorities.

    Job Description:

• Provide oversight of financial operations in the field for programs including compliance with internal controls and accounting procedures
• Manage all aspects of accounting for the field office, including reconciling expenses, preparation of and overseeing payroll, preparing and submitting financial and tax reports according to Lebanese law, and monitoring changes in Lebanese financial and labor laws
• Monitor program expenditures and monthly field expenses, including budget to actual expenses, and reporting on financial results and cost projections to management;
• Supervise and manage the tasks and program implementation of the finance department and any other staff members conducting financial reporting and provide guidance when needed or requested;
• Use accounting and financial systems to support quality delivery of work;
• Manage field grant audits and general annual audits;
• Support the day-to-day internal operations and administration of the office;
• Facilitate collaboration with heads of departments, other team members, and as required across other Helem teams to identify and coordinate operational and administrative priorities and program financial activities;
• Ensure compliance with national laws, donor administrative, internal Helem policies, and reporting requirements, as well as appropriate implementation of field office policy manuals and handbooks;
• Ensure that any and all financial reports for donors and other partner organizations are completed on time and in a professional manner with excessive attention to detail;
• Ensure that any financial challenges – including late payments, non-compliant actions, and other challenges are detected and the appropriate stakeholders notified in a timely manner;
• Support the implementation and management of operational, administrative and human resources systems, in consultation with senior management to support programs;
• Process payment of remunerations, allowances, per diems and other payments to the centre’s staff, vendors and other claimants;
• Maintain an updated financial records and briefing the Executive Director and heads of departments about the financial status of the programmes on a monthly basis;
• Make sure that all financial transactions are carried out and recorded in accordance with international and Lebanese legal and operational standards;
• Manage the data entry of the financial transactions after verifying that all documents are eligible and accurately recorded;
• Prepare monthly supplier's, bank, and cash reconciliations and prepare all reimbursements after double-checking the reimbursement requests against receipts provided;
• Prepare checks, bank transfers in addition to cash disbursements to staff, suppliers, service providers, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Maintain a proper filing system for all financial documents (electronically and physically);
• Participate in strategy meetings and provide expertise and support for all budgeting, fundraising, and financial amendment exercises;
• Maintain the strictest and highest forms of professionalism and confidentiality with regards to any and all information received and processed from Helem’s beneficiaries, staff members, and other partners;
• Accomplish and assist in any other task not here listed if required by the organization or deemed necessary to the full achievement of the department’s goals.

    Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Accounting, Corporate Finance, Business Management, or related field – Master’s preferred
• 5-7 years of work experience, preferably in the non-profit sector
• Excellent communication skills; ability to work effectively and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent management skills and the ability to lead and coordinate a small finance team
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Effective time management, ability to plan workloads and demonstrate accountability for outputs
• Demonstrable experience in project financial reporting including to donors and superior ability to produce financial and audit reports
• Professional knowledge of the methods of financial analysis and the methodology for the preparation of budgets
• Professional knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures of the Central Bank and Lebanese banking laws and procedures
• Professional Experience in the use of Financials Systems/Software including accounting software