Financial Accountant

About the FES Regional Security Project

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is an international non-profit organization committed to the values of social democracy and is the oldest of Germany's political foundations. In Lebanon, FES opened its office in 1966. FES currently maintains offices in ten countries of the region. The FES cooperates with a wide range of partner institutions from civil society and the political sphere in order to establish platforms for democratic dialogue, organize conferences, hold workshops and publish books and policy papers on current political questions.

This is a part-time position (details to be discussed) with the potential to be upgraded to a full-time position at a later stage.
 

Tasks and responsibilities

• The Financial Accountant is responsible for the bookkeeping and other financial and administrative matters. In this, he/she works under the supervision and in close coordination with the Resident Representative. Among the tasks of our future colleague are:
• The Financial Accountant in the Beirut Office (Rue Monot) performs the day-to-day finance operations 
• He/she ensures that all finance operations are performed in accordance with FES and German government rules and regulations
• Manages all aspects of day to day operations of the accounting department
• Reviews all payment documents for proper and adequate payment and accounting
• Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to financial matters and ensures compliance with regulations and other legal requirements
• Data Entry / Accounting Records
• Review expenditure spreadsheets 
• Verify completeness and accuracy of all accounting documents
• Monitors project budget
• Processes cash withdrawals from the bank and ensure timely bank payments
• Liaises with bank officials in order to ensure uninterrupted bank services
• Ensures adequate cash balance is available in bank for smooth function of activities (includes cash transfer requests to headquarters)
• Ensures internal control procedures are followed for all cash disbursement, exchanges, receipts and transfers.
• Assists the Project Director in responding to internal and/or external audit requests
• Checks sub-grantee reports and arrange payments to them.
• Prepares monthly balance sheet reconciliation reports
• Close follow-up with regional and international offices as well as FES headquarters
• Any other task as requested by the supervisor

Job Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience in an Accounting / Finance position preferably in an NGO 
• Bachelor degree in Accounting from recognized college / university or equivalent studies
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
• Computer literacy with significant experience in excel 
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal (Arabic and English, preferably also in German)
• Deals with conflict in a constructive manner
• Acts with integrity and transparency in all decision-making and resolves difficult situations in a calm, thoughtful and professional manner
• Time management and organization skills
• Can work in stressful environment

The FES strongly encourages applications by qualified women.

If you are interested in applying and meet the above criteria, we are looking forward to hearing from you. Please e-mail us your CV and references as well as a letter of motivation and qualification to  achim.vogt@feslb.org