Operations And Finance Manager

Background The USAID-funded Lebanon Livelihoods Inclusive Finance Expansion (LIFE) will link vulnerable entrepreneurs at the bottom of the economic pyramid with business training and financial services, improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and reducing poverty while facilitating growth and consolidation of the microfinance sector in Lebanon. Objective The Operations and Finance Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining the project’s field finances, ensuring compliance with the Lebanese law, client and company policies and procedures in the areas of finance and Lebanon-based project operations. Responsibilities 1.     General Ensure compliance with Lebanese law, client and corporate policies and regulations. Liaise with the home office’s Operations teams to manage and troubleshoot project managerial issues as they arise. Serve as the primary point of contact for auditors, tax authorities, office landlord, and other external clients as may be required. Supervise Administrative Assistant. Monitor vendor invoices and disburse payments with the proper internal controls. Submit field cash requests and manage cash flows in office in a timely manner. Maintain electronic accounting tracking mechanisms, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies and procedures. Manage field finance and accounting. Reconcile project accounting and provide back-up documentation of all financial transactions into monthly accounting package for Company’s home office. Monitor and oversee project activity budgets for billing and expenses. Ensure Lebanon-based team is in compliance with local labor laws, Company policies and code of conduct, and client requirements. Implement applicable company policies and procedures to recruit Lebanon-based staff. Monitor and manage staff employment agreements in consultation with the Chief of Party and Home Office. Ensure timely submission of timesheets, leave, and necessary approvals. Track used and accrued leave days. Manage employee payroll according to Lebanese laws, statutory requirements for income taxation, social security and other contributions, medical care, insurance and other benefits. Ensure payroll is correctly calculated, with any authorized deductions, and that all salary and other remunerations are paid on time. As necessary, ensure registration of company and employees to relevant social security funds, tax office and other local authorities. Supervise and ensure work conditions are in conformity with regulatory and corporate requirements. Assist Chief of Party in qualitative performance appraisal and professional development processes. Maintain records of performance development trackers and activities. Prepare field office operations manual in consultation with Home Office Operations Team and Chief of Party. Conduct procurements in compliance with government, client and corporate procurement policies and procedures, ensuring fair and open competition and proper documentation, and manage contracts and vendor agreements as required. Monitor and manage business travel for staff including review and processing of relevant travel authorizations, advance requests, expense reports, and logistical arrangements. Ensure travelers follow applicable travel policies. Track and reconcile advances with expense reports. Manage office space including processing of agreements for office space leases, utilities, and services. Oversee inventory management of office equipment and supplies, including updated asset register, and required insurance and maintenance. Backstop Grants Manager as may be required. 2.     Budget, Accounting and Financial Management Monitor vendor invoices and disburse payments with the proper internal controls. Submit field cash requests and manage cash flows in office in a timely manner. Maintain electronic accounting tracking mechanisms, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies and procedures. Manage field finance and accounting. Reconcile project accounting and provide back-up documentation of all financial transactions into monthly accounting package for Company’s home office. Monitor and oversee project activity budgets for billing and expenses. 3.     Human Resource Management Ensure Lebanon-based team is in compliance with local labor laws, Company policies and code of conduct, and client requirements. Implement applicable company policies and procedures to recruit Lebanon-based staff. Monitor and manage staff employment agreements in consultation with the Chief of Party and Home Office. Ensure timely submission of timesheets, leave, and necessary approvals. Track used and accrued leave days. Manage employee payroll according to Lebanese laws, statutory requirements for income taxation, social security and other contributions, medical care, insurance and other benefits. Ensure payroll is correctly calculated, with any authorized deductions, and that all salary and other remunerations are paid on time. As necessary, ensure registration of company and employees to relevant social security funds, tax office and other local authorities. Supervise and ensure work conditions are in conformity with regulatory and corporate requirements. Assist Chief of Party in qualitative performance appraisal and professional development processes. Maintain records of performance development trackers and activities. 4.     Operations and Office Management Prepare field office operations manual in consultation with Home Office Operations Team and Chief of Party. Conduct procurements in compliance with government, client and corporate procurement policies and procedures, ensuring fair and open competition and proper documentation, and manage contracts and vendor agreements as required. Monitor and manage business travel for staff including review and processing of relevant travel authorizations, advance requests, expense reports, and logistical arrangements. Ensure travelers follow applicable travel policies. Track and reconcile advances with expense reports. Manage office space including processing of agreements for office space leases, utilities, and services. Oversee inventory management of office equipment and supplies, including updated asset register, and required insurance and maintenance.  5.     Grants Backstop Grants Manager as may be required. 6.     Other tasks as deemed necessary by the COP or Home Office Project Director Reporting The Director of Finance and Administration will report directly to the Chief of Party. Minimum Qualifications MBA/Master degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting with 6 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s Degree with at least 10 years of experience in Finance, Accounting, or other relevant field with an accounting certification (CPA). Prior project management experience, experience with USAID, or similar clients highly desired. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to multitask and motivate subordinates. Demonstrated effectiveness in communicating with clients and project stakeholders. Strong analytical and computer skills. Ability to maintain financial records and prepare financial reports. Ability to take initiative, work independently, and to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Proven record of consistently outperforming targets. Superior verbal and written communication skills in English required. Fluency in Arabic required.   This is a local non-expat position; Lebanese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.