Finance Manager (Lebanese Cash Consortium )

ROLE PURPOSE: The post holder works collaboratively with the relevant departments of the Lebanon Country office and the Lebanon Cash Consortium to ensure the effective financial management of the program. He/she will  ensure that financial systems and procedures are implemented in line with Save the Children International (SCI) policies and donor requirements; ensure that all financial reports and Budget Vs Actuals (BVAs) are provided in a timely manner.  Manage and advise the team as needed   KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   Ensure that Save the Children’s commitment to improving quality and accountability in humanitarian work is upheld, through reference to the Sphere Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards, the NGO Code of Conduct, and other relevant tools. Ensure that all new staff recruited into the response is adequately inducted in Save the Children emergencies and financial systems, and donors’ compliance requirements consistent with their various roles. Work in close collaboration with other members and agencies within the LCC programme on all aspects of the consortium programme as required.  Complete tasks as requested by his/her line manager.     Budget Development: Develop activity budgets for all agencies based on figures provided; Coordinate development of separate budgets, developed by all LCC members; revising, checking and providing feedback; Collate partners budgets into single LCC budget based on donor templates; Coordinate development of annual master budgets, integrating multi-donor budgets; Ensuring compliance with donor requirements at budgeting stage; Ensure correct financial input into partnership agreements; To hold agencies accountable for realistic and efficient budgeting/use of funds; Lead on budget realignments when necessary; Develop and regularly update a master budget for the program and ensure transparent, appropriate cost allocation systems are applied.  Produces BVA’s reports according to the finance schedule, to be share with the Budget Holders. Ensure that the Finance meeting are actually made in all bases, action points are taken into account, all adjustments made in the system and the reports of these meetings are properly archived; Establish an effective and useful budget system for LCC programs and support costs; Advise the team on the overall status of the LCC using funds committed to it and give monthly briefings on BvAs; Build the capacity of budget holders and program team in budget management; For proposal development, provide advice on donor compliance requirements to ensure high quality proposals. Also review operational sections of proposals and budgets to ensure realistic implementation ambitions and adequate NTC rates; Participate in the award kick-off meetings to ensure that all financial aspects of the grant are shared and all relevant staff is well informed on requirements prior to the grant starting; Participate in award close-out meetings to ensure the proper financial closure of all grants.     Reporting: Developing financial reporting templates for LCC members for monthly reporting as per donor and lead agency requirements; Monitor expenditure on all LCC member’s monthly financial reports – highlighting discrepancies and concerns on expenditures, and ensuring phased budgets are adhered to; Ensure financial compliance of all LCC members – ensuring costs and booked under the correct lines; Prepare donor financial reports based on monthly LCC member reports; Monitor and follow up on impact of exchange rate fluctuations on LCC programme; Provide a high standard of financial accounting, ensuring compliance to Save the Children accounting policies; Ensure accounting systems, policies, internal controls and procedures are established and enforced for the collection of accurate, complete and timely financial data (e.g.: budgets, forecasts, expenditure, commitments, payroll, and delegation of authority); Ensure accurate and up to date financial tools including partner tracker, documentation report analysis, and exchange rate update; Ensure proper and accurate financial reporting for all LCC grants.     Partnership Management: Ensuring split between SCI held central funds (eg cash loading) and all agencies separate budgets, including SCIs; Provide capacity building to ensure that minimum standards are met by all LCC members; Ensuring LCC member payments are calculated in accordance with agreements and dispersed in a timely manner; Following decisions/discussions at grant/finance level within the LCC and acting in accordance with LCC decisions (of which SCI has veto power in LCC Steering Committee); Develop and monitor SOPs for LCC budgeting and charging principles to be rolled out across the LCC.   Card Loading: Manage financial aspect of relationship with WFP (as card loading platform manager); Ensure payments are made on time relating to monthly card loading and respective fees; Ensure good working relationship between LCC Finance Manager and LCC Information Management Coordinator to ensure card loading SOPs are respected and further developed/improved as appropriate; Ensure reconciliation of card loading amounts and fees between LCC and WFP; Ensure reconciliation of card loading amounts and fees between LCC/SCI and LCC members.   QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE COMPETENCIES Leading and inspiring others: Demonstrates leadership in all our work, role models our values, and articulates a compelling vision to inspire others to achieve our goals for children. Developing self and others: Invests time and energy to actively develop self and others to help realise their full potential, and to build the organisation’s capability for the future. Innovating and Adapting: Develops and implements innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing, uncertain work and global environment. Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organisation. Networking: Builds and uses sustainable relationships and networks to support the work of Save the Children. Delivering results: Takes personal responsibility and holds others accountable for delivering our ambitious goals for children, continually improving their own performance or that of the team/organisation. Problem solving and decision making: Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organisation. Communication with impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust. Working effectively with others: Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES Essential 3-5 years of experience working with a national/international non-governmental organization; Knowledge of the requirements of major donors and experience in reporting to donors; Good attention to detail and analytical skills; Computer literate (i.e. WORD, advanced Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, financial systems); Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure; Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a workload comprised of varying and changing tasks and responsibilities; Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills in English, with experience in managing multicultural teams;  Desirable Fluency in written and spoken Arabic; University/College degree in Accounting or Finance; Experience with Save the Children award management system (AMS) and Financial management system (Agresso ); Significant experience with NGOs in an international environment; Experience of working with partners and partnership management.