Finance Officer

Purpose:     The Finance Officer will assist the Zone Finance Manager in managing the Finance Unit and related activities as included in the approved Finance Unit Terms of Reference. The Finance Unit provides financial management services to the Federation Country and Regional Representations within the MENA region as well as financial advice to the Director of Zone, his senior managment team and Zone Programme Managers. The Zone Finance Unit is also responsible for the accounting and running of the Zone office in Beirut.     Duties Applicable to All Staff     § Work towards the achievement of the overall MENA zone goals through effective managerial and lateral relations and teamwork. § Ensure understanding of roles, responsibilities, lateral relationships and accountabilities. § Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.   Key tasks and responsibilities     MENA Zone Office Beirut related responsibilities:   Provide support, direction and line management to the Finance Officer, MENA Zone Office Beirut   Responsible for the administration of bank and cash payments in both currencies LBP and USD for the Zone office. This includes, among others, local staff salaries’ calculation and payment, social security, income tax, staff benefits, and deductions and delegates MSA.   Check and verify that payments are properly documented and ensure compliance with the procedures.   Prepare payment authorizations, bilateral invoices, request bank transfers, obtain the monthly bank statements and prepare the monthly bank reconciliation and cash count.   Follow up on a monthly basis the reimbursement of private expenses from the Zone staff.   Monitor and closely follow up the working advances to the national societies and to the international and local staff. Ensure that advances are reconciled and cleared on a regular basis.   Prepare and monitor the budgets, including revisons, whenever required.   Prepare the project expenditure approval requests (PEARs) for the Zone projects and any subsequent revisions.   Month’ closing of the Zone Beirut office accounts in Coda.   Ensure the validity and reconciliation of all Balance sheet accounts.   Obtaining the project forecasts. Review and prepare the monthly Zone cash request.   Carry out finance training for zone and NS staff when appropriate and/or requested.   Prepare financial reports and/or financial analysis for the Zone related programs, when requested.   Process through Coda financial system part of the monthly financial transactions (in particular the month end transactions, including revaluation, provisions and allocation). It also includes the posting transactions related to the Petty Cash and/or Bank payments, if required.   Ensure that monthly field returns’ files are properly documented before submitting for checking. Maintain a proper filing system for all financial documentation.       The Finance Officer will also provide the same services and support to the Syria Federation representation and will follow up on Lebanese RC ongoing programmes. In particular he/she will:   Manage the accounts of both Federation representations in Lebanon and Syria. This includes day to day management of finances, cash disbursement, budgetary control and financial reporting. Ensure the compliance in terms of supporting documentation and Federation financial procedures.   Advice the two Country Representations on financial matters, including rules and regulations, procedures, budget performance, follow up of pledges, monitoring the due dates for reporting and the compliance with the PMN’s reporting requirements.   Carry out missions to Syria Representation as requested.         Lateral relationship     Establish and ensure effective working relationships with the staff and management of the MENA zone office. Ensure effective working relationships with the representations, as required. Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments in the zone and the Geneva Secretariat as required.       Accountability     Ensure compliance with Federation procedures, regulations and policies in the area of operation. Seek management and policy advice and guidance as required.     Values and Competencies     The core competencies set the standard for all Secretariat staff. We expect our people to be accountable, placing primary focus on building NS relations, having the technical skills to get results and working effectively in teams sharing knowledge and best practices through good communication skills.         Person specification     Required   Preferred General       In good mental and physical health X         Qualifications       University degree majoring in accountancy and/or recognized professional accountancy qualification X   Experience       5 years accountancy experience -or 3 years if holding professional accountancy qualification- X   2 years work experience with an international organisation , NGOs and/or governmental development agencies   X Experience of working in lateral relationship in an advisory function supporting and advising financial staff X   Experience of supporting senior management with financial advice   X Experience in developing budgets and plans and financial analysis X   Skills       Advanced skills in using computer software – Lotus SmartSuite and/or MS Office in a Windows environment X   Advanced skills in using e-mail and internet X   Exposure to accounting software as an end-user X   English – High fluency in speaking, reading, and writing X   Arabic –  Fluency in speaking, reading and writing X   Skills in training and developing staff   X Demonstrated skill in analytical thinking   X Core Competencies  (a high degree of competence in)       Ability to work well in a team X   High degree of integrity, discretion and professional conduct X   Self-motivated and proactive with good judgment X   Excellent communication and interpersonal skills X   Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines X