Finance Assistant- National Role

FINANCE ASSISTANT

Finance team TEAM

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

Shaping a stronger Oxfam for people living in poverty.

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty.

Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam.

Effective financial management within Lebanon country programme, implementation and maintenance of Oxfam’s and donor’s financial procedures.

To be responsible and accountable for the day-to-day operation related to a defined accounting area.

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Location:                                             Beirut and Zahle

Internal Grade:                                   E1

Contract type:                                     Fixed Term

This role reports to:                            Finance and Compliance Officer

Staff reporting to this post:                 NA

Annual budget                                    for the post:     No budget responsibility

Key relationships/interactions:           

Screening checks:                             All successful candidates will be screened through Refinitiv World-Check One to comply with counter terrorism and financial sanctions regulations.

key Responsibilities

Operational and Financial Management for the Lebanon Country program

• Responsible for the office cash according to Oxfam procedures.
• Assist the finance department in communications with local external contacts, such as banks, partners and suppliers.
• Preparing payment vouchers, receipts, etc. according to Oxfam rules and regulations and seeks appropriate authorization and making sure all transactions have the supporting documents and approvals.
• Seek appropriate authorization and making sure all transactions have the supporting documents and approvals.
• Clearing staff floats and checking supporting documents and help staff in liquidating their floats.
• Ensure that original invoices, receipts or contracts matches Oxfam/Back donor’s requirements, and securely kept in the office.
• Process floats and petty cash. Handling the account registers.
• Prepare cheques and transfers for signature in accordance with the mandate and with supporting documentation.
• Following up daily on the online system.
• Checking on daily basis if the bank balances.
• Maintaining the cash and bank books on daily basis. Making sure that all transactions are appropriately recorded using relevant budget codes and ensuring an accurate reconciliation.
• Support the Finance Partnership Officer in visiting and reviewing the partners supporting documents.
• Scanning and Filing payments related to certain donors.
• Prepare weekly lists of accounts payable and accounts receivables, vehicle rental, house/office rent, telephone, medical costs, among others.
• Make sure that all documents are properly filed on time and give information and relevant documents as may be required by Auditors
• Ensure that goods are ordered in accordance with agreed procedures.
• Ensure that proper documentation is kept for returns and that credit notes are obtained.
• Ensure that payments are correctly authorised.
• Check supplier’s statements and deal with queries.
• Be aware of bank requirements and facilities, approval and signatory’s levels, etc.
• Ensure that sufficient funds are available for cash needs.
• Recording transactions in cash/bank books. Make sure cash book balances match with monthly bank reconciliation.
• To prepare the Cash Flow on a weekly basis to share it with Finance Officer.
• Assisting program team on transferring money to the beneficiaries.
• Regularly update cash-flow forecast for the Zahle Office and submit to Finance Beirut on weekly basis.
• Weekly visits to Zahle Office and Tripoli and support team requirements.
• Review, audit, and process all the payments assuring it includes all the supporting documents: invoice, receipts, proof of payment, procurement documents, and or contract, etc..

This will require seeking appropriate authorization and insuring that all supporting documents are appropriately filed.

Operational Support

• Provide support and advice for Oxfam GB staff if needed.
• To ensure payments and financial transactions are in line and comply with Oxfam’s policies, local regulations and country authorization limits.
• Conduct induction to Oxfam GB staff (in coordination with the Finance Officer)

Other responsibilities

• Monitoring online banking and prepare online payments for Lebanon country Finance Team.
• Coordinate with Logistics to ensure that fixed asset registers are regularly up to date.
• Support in any other responsibility requested by the Finance Officer.

Other

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles

Essential

• University degree in a finance related subject or professional accountancy qualification
• Significant experience in finance, audit and accounting with national or international NGO of similar size
• Relevant experience in using financial/accounting software packages and use of other IT software, such as Microsoft applications.
• Good communication skills – verbal and written Arabic and English
• Ability to train and coach others
• Good team player and builder
• Proactive in anticipating problems and promoting the function.
• Ability to deal with people at different levels of seniority, partners and staff in country office and Regional Centre/Headquarters to ensure compliance with Oxfam GB policies and procedures.
•  Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure and can meet deadlines and to think and plan ahead.
•  Recommends and implements improvements, Influences ways of working
• Ability to manage time effectively and deliver results
• Commitment to Oxfam overall aims and objectives including gender equity and equal opportunity in all areas of Oxfam work.

Willingness and ability to travel within country and the region when needed.

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible

Organisational Values

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences