Finance and Accounting Assistant

I. INTRODUCTION

Project Background Information

The Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) is a Lebanese NGO registered at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities under no. 1186 on 18 June 2014. LRI is managing several projects among which a project funded by the World Food Programme (WFP) aiming at improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities through the implementation of reforestation and forest management activities.

The project is operated by LRI’s offices in Jdeideh, with support from LRI field team in the North.

 II. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

LRI seeks a full-time Finance & Accounting Assistant for supporting the project’s overall financial management. Ensuring a compliant and transparent project execution, He/She will support field activities by distributing payments in the field when needed, preparing cash payments, conducting bank runs and allocation appropriate project expenses and cost. He will directly report to the finance manager answering queries, updating budgets, and applying high standards of financial practices and internal control.

The Finance & Accounting Assistant is expected to perform the following duties:

Accounting:

• Adhere to the Finance and procurement policies and procedures;
• Ensure that appropriate finance systems are maintained, and that all procedures and controls are implemented;
• Ensure administrative tasks for all support personnel are completed in accordance with LRI’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure that all financial transactions are properly allocated as per LRI’s cost policy statement;
• Ensure compliance to the local laws (income tax, and any other rules);
• Prepare, and document project transactions and financial records;
• Correspond with suppliers as appropriate;
• Prepare cash payments and conduct bank runs;
• Coordinate with project staff on delivering payments to suppliers and field workers;
• Liaise with suppliers to deliver timely invoices;
• Assist the Finance Manager in the monthly reconciliation of the project;
• Handle any audit queries; and
• Other accounting, financial management tasks consistent with the overall scope of this position.

Budgeting:

• Assist in the tracking and review of the project budget;
• Provide any other financial information, as requested, and respond to any other financial queries; and
• Prepare WFP financial reports and appropriate supporting documents.

III. REQUIREMENTS

The Finance & Accounting Assistant should possess the following competencies, skills, and experience:

• 2 to 5 years of experience in Accounting, financial reporting and projects based bookkeeping;
• Experience with international donor agencies;
• Experience in working with ERP systems;
• Knowledge in local Governmental reporting requirements;
• Able to uphold high standards of professionalism and work conduct;
• Proficiency in written and spoken Arabic and English is a must;
• Able to handle heavy workload, unplanned tasks and urgent requests;
• High degree of integrity, ethics and discretion;
• Self-motivated , flexible and able to adapt under different work conditions;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills;
• Organized and able to maintain proficient consistency across all tasks; and
• Able to lead in this field of expertise.