Finance And Grants Manager (Qobayat)

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Health and Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon.   Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa:   ROLE PURPOSE: Under the supervision of the Area Manager, the Finance and Grants Manager is responsible for managing the finance activities, financial controls, computerised accounting systems and administration in Qobayat. S/he will also support grants management, by advising on compliance, chairing monthly awards review meetings, coordinating BVA feedback, and working with budget holders to ensure implementation is on track. The Finance and Grant Manager is a senior member of the Akkar team and sits on the Area SMT.   In this challenging environment, the Akkar Finance and Grants Manager will be responsible not only for compliance with critical SCI policies, ensuring that financial resources of the organization are shepherded in an accountable and transparent manner.    SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Area Manager   Dimensions: Save the Children Qobayat field office has been set up in 2012 following the Syrian refugee crisis response and cover the region of Akkar. Current response include a multisectoral approach and projects and activities are implemented in Child protection / shelter / Education / Food security and livelihood / Health & Nutrition. The Akkar programme portfolio totals over $11 million, and is staffed by some 100 national staff and approximately 150 volunteers/teachers/community workers.    KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   GENERAL MANAGEMENT As a member of the Akkar SMT, demonstrate the behaviours that are consistent with Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values and ensure their broader application by staff across the Akkar programme; Ensure a conducive and productive work environment; Contribute to the wider country programme agenda. Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects Save the Children’s commitment to safeguarding children, in accordance with our Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Policy.   FINANCE Maintain robust and adequate financial internal control systems and cash management across the field office in line with SCI’s Finance Manual, Awards management and good accounting practices. Ensure sufficient cash in the office by producing monthly cash forecasts for Akkar Office, sending to Beirut office and following-up to make sure cash is received in time. Manage Agresso processes  for accuracy  and ensuring that data is submitted to Beirut office on or before the set deadline for processing. Verify the accuracy, validity, legitimacy of all payments completeness of financial documents, (purchase requests, work orders, pro forma invoices), proper coding and approval by responsible managers before payments are made while ensuring SAVE THE CHILDREN  creditors are paid promptly. Provide support to budget holders in reviewing and understanding monthly financial budget monitoring reports and follow up on any recommended changes.  Liaise with the area manager to schedule and take lead in planning and convening the monthly finance and grants meetings in the field office ensuring minutes are taken and shared with the AMU team in Beirut. Induct new staff into SCI financial policies and procedures applicable in the field offices and ensure that changes in policies are communicated to staff at all levels. Adhere to the Finance diary including Monthly Management Controls (MMCs), ensuring that all deadlines are met and submissions made to Beirut Office. Maintain good working relationships with other stakeholders and support the implementing partners in improving their Finance and Awards Management skills. In collaboration with HR, provide information on staff to Beirut Finance Office for monthly payroll preparation and when staff are departing from SCI,  including but not limited to salary advances, food recovery, etc Ensure that audit recommendations are followed up & implemented in good time and field staff fully understand and comply with the standard financial procedures.   REPORTING AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS On a monthly basis, analyse trends, document the variance commentary and communicate to the budget holders of the field office office Ad hoc analysis required by the field and country budget holders that will help better manage all the revenue streams, e.g. award funds, other private funds and expense trends and details Ensure timely preparation and submission of financial reports to donors in compliance with donor guidelines and contractual agreements   GRANTS MANAGEMENT Support the development of new proposals, in particular, with respect to budget development; Develop phased budgets in collaboration with programme managers; Manage and update the master budget for Qobayat with the Area Manager, and pro-actively highlight gaps; With support from Beirut, create an accountable system for billing staff across grants which ensures full expenditure of each salary line by the close of grants; Provide managers with information on the funding pipeline for each staff position; Coordinate and chair awards opening and closing meetings in Qobayat, with programme managers; Coordinate the monthly Awards Review Process, including chairing the monthly BVA review meeting Support capacity building of coordinators and managers in grants management;   POLICY & DONOR REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE Assist Qobayat office in day to day compliance and award financial management issues. Gather information from country Office Awards Team and/or other units within Finance in resolving an issue related to compliance. Work closely with the Awards team in ensuring donor compliance amongst the implementing partners at the field level.   STAFF MANAGEMENT Manage finance, admin and grant staff performance in compliance with SCI Lebanon Policies; Coach, mentor, and support opportunities for continual    SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS  Accountability: Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance  and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE A first degree in Commerce Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, or related field. Post-graduate diploma preferred. Part II qualified in a recognized professional qualification in Accounting. Minimum 5 years similar work experience within a fast paced work environment. Excellent communication skills (Verbal and Written) Fluency (Verbal and Written) in English and Arabic is required. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills. Strong team player, collaborative and capable of building effective relationships across all levels Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets Problem solving and risk mitigating skills Proficiency in Microsoft Officer products (Word, Excel, Outllook, Powerpoint) and financial software such as Agresso. Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and other Global Policies.  A commitment to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in employment and empathy with SC values and objectives APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is : For External applicants on 20th of February 2014.                          The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process. STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •              Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •              Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •              CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3 pages maximum •              Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •              Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •              Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to lebanonhrq@savethechildren.org    Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process