Senior Finance Officer ( Tripoli )

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: To design and maintain financial systems in order to provide appropriate levels of security and internal controls over the organization’s resources (funds and property) and operations in compliance with the policies and standards of the Save the Children Financial Manual. To implement financial policies in the areas of budgets, cash management and forecasting, recordings and documentation, project auditing and financial reporting.    SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Area Manager (may report to Finance and Grants Coordinator or Deputy AM Operations in future) Area Office Dimensions: Save the Children Tripoli Area Office has coverage of Tripoli City + 5 surrounding districts (T+5) with a current staff complement of approximately 50 staff and expenditure of approximately $6 million each year. We are expected to surpass $10 million USD in 2014, with growing team and number of project. Finance Team will be 2 people. Staff directly reporting to this post: Finance Assistant Support the delivery of effective Programmes, in both development and humanitarian contexts, by: Financial Systems and Compliance Ensure standard financial systems are established and maintained in order to provide appropriate levels of security and controls over the organization’s resources and operations. Maintain the accounting and financial records as per general instructions from SCI and any specific instructions from the Finance Director Supervise the maintenance of accounting systems and data, and the presentation of financial data for both internal managerial purposes and external reporting requirements. Ensure staff compliance with SCI’s policies and internal controls as per the Financial Manual. Ensure regular and open communication with the CO Finance Team so as to process payments and ensure accountability to the best of your ability in cooperation with CO and AO.   Provide oversight and monitor expenditure by checking all invoices, other claims and receipts for accuracy and in conformity with purchase orders, quotations/bid analysis, and delivery of services/goods Ensure ATM cash loading procedures are followed properly and loaded correctly Take main responsibility for daily/weekly completion of recording payments on CAPCOS/GLACOS and/or posting transactions on daily/weekly basis onto Agresso, as advised by CO Finance Team. Ensure all advances are cleared on a monthly basis Prepare monthly reconciliation of all accounts and submit documentation (soft/hard copy) to CO Finance Team by fixed deadline. Review transactions between soft and hard closes to ensure accuracy and corrections Supervise the monthly tax reporting requirements to the local government and facilitate the year-end tax reporting to the local government. Supervise and manage the special year-end closing procedures required by the SC Regional Office Bank Account Management and Cash Handling Act as primary focal point with local branch of SC bank account Process and follow up with all bank transactions, including transfer payments Order new cheques on a timely and regular basis to facilitate ongoing regular payments Prepare Cash Request by collecting inputs from all departments and requesting monthly cash needs Monitor bank account levels online and request transfer from CO when levels reach thresholds Supervise Finance Assistant’s management of petty cash, safe, and replenishment on timely basis Ensure full and appropriate control and security of all SC cash at all times Oversee any direct payments to beneficiaries and monitor that all safety procedures are carried out   File Management and Audit File in regular and systematic way original vouchers to be kept in Tripoli and copies of those sent to CO Prepare files for regular transfer to CO and ensure mail/delivery system, phone, email follow up for received Assist the auditors as required, generally and in their yearly reviews. Ensure that all the audit recommendations are implemented or will be implemented.   Grants Support Assist in preparing donors financial reports Assist in preparing budgets for new proposals, budget revisions, and tracking of regular support costs Assist in preparing and reviewing expenditures against budget (BvA) and ensuring re-classes take place Assist programme team in accessing Agresso and monitoring/understanding transactions   Capacity Building and Oversight Manage Finance Assistant and ensure division and understanding of tasks, action planning and task prioritization, setting and assessing of performance objectives, and all other staff management functions Plan Finance Assistant and own leave schedule, in coordination with Roving FO, to ensure there are no gaps Coach/mentor staff in the Finance Department (Assistant), ensuring that their performance meets agreed upon standards and that capacity building plan and training takes place. Provide SC staff with trainings on Finance Forms, proper finance and form filling procedures/coding, in order to improve the quality of financial documents received. Repeat key trainings on a regular basis for all staff. Review and monitor payments and financial reports from Partner Organizations.  Conduct field visits to partners for monitoring and capacity building purposes and work with them to ensure high quality finance reports.   Other Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of crisis or emergency. Commit to serving members and their donors, and to helping build a culture of member service throughout organisation. Undertake any other tasks requested by the Area Manager or Finance Director when the need arises.  All finance tasks should be coordinated with the Country Finance Director. SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (Our Values in Practice) Accountability: Takes responsibility for decision-making and efficient resource management, and holds team and partners accountable for delivery of their responsibilities by delegating effectively, affording staff professional autonomy, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved; Ambition: Engages and motivates others by widely sharing their personal vision for Save the Children; Future orientated, strategic and global thinker.   Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships with team, colleagues, members, donors and partners; Values diversity as a source of competitive strength;   Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions both on a personal level and by building and leading teams willing to take disciplined risks.   Integrity: Honesty, openness, and transparency QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor Degree in Accounting, finance or business management At least 3 years’ experience Able to work within a team Ability to cope and work under pressure Very good written and spoken English and Arabic languages and communication skills Availability for internal travel and little external travel. Organized with good in time management, and respect deadlines Trustworthy Analytical skills and accuracy Prior experience with donors’ requirements and NGOs is an asset Ability to organize and present financial information according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Experience in auditing, accounting, and financial administration. APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is : For External applicants on March  22  .               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)  –  3pages 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 lebanonhrt@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.