Finance Controller

We Effect is now recruiting a FINANCE CONTROLLER for We Effect Country Office in the Philippines based in Quezon City.

We Effect is a development organisation founded by the Swedish cooperative movement in 1958 to support the development of democratic organisations and societies. In our international development cooperation programmes, we are applying a human rights-based approach to development by supporting people living in poverty to secure their basic rights.

 We Effect works in 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa through our regional offices in partnership with local CSO’s, farmer organisations, housing organisations, cooperative federations or unions and other democratic organisations. For more information, see www.weeffect.se.

 Main responsibilities

 Philosophy and methodology:

• Accept and respect the principles and values of  We Effect

•  Promote and development of relationships with the partner organizations on a   concept of partnership founded on shared values, mutual respect, reciprocity of learning and transparency

• Maintain close and continues relations with target population and its grassroots organizations, and provisions to listen to their expectations, to provide them with the accounts of work done on their behalf and to exchange know-how and lessons learnt

 Main Responsibilities:

• Management of the financial system of the country programme

• Monitoring of project partners budget management and periodic reporting

• Support the Country Office and the partner organizations in their budget planning, monitoring, and utilization

• Review, consolidate, and submission bi-monthly reports

• Link between partners and Country Office

• Promote partners synergies on financial management

• Provision of financial capacity building support for the partner organizations

• Enhance finance reporting of partner organizations

 Duties

 Finance Management

·       Oversee the accountancy of the Country Office. This includes the maintenance of accounting records and files of all relevant financial documents and supporting materials and the processing and consolidation of the financial reports of the partners in the Country Office’s accountancy.

·       Responsible for the day-to-day Programme expenditures. Together with the Finance and Administrative Officer, prepare payment vouchers, checks and transfers of money to partner accounts, ensuring the quality of all supporting documentation.

·       Maintain proper and organized database for tracking disbursement to Local Partners Assist in the preparation of the annual budgets of the country office as well as of the Programme.

·       Ensures, together with the Admin and Finance Assistant, the requests for monthly bank statements and tracking of programme account balances.

·       Responsible for the maintenance of files of all cooperation development partners’ financial reports, accounting procedures and financial monitoring by the Country Office.

·       Provide accurate financial information to the country director.

·       Co-signs, together with the Country Director, all checks issued by the Country Office.

·       Verify and recommend for approval of the country director all online banking transactions.

·       Responsible for the preparation of all procurements done by the Country Office and co-sign the procurement decisions together with the Country Director in accordance with the Procurement Regulations of We Effect Asia Region Office.

·       Work closely with Partner Organisations on their procurements to ensure compliance with We Effect Partners Procurement Regulations.

·       Assist the Country Director to ensure the country office is properly adhering to Instructions for Financial Administration at We Effect Asia Country Offices as well as applicable donor financial regulations.

·       Assist the Country Director and Regional Office in the identification and contracting of external auditors and assist the appointed auditors on their auditing assignments for the Country Office as well as partner organisations.

·       Provide relevant financial training, technical assistance, and other capacity building activities for partner organisations on financial management specifically in compliance with the We Effect financial policy, regulations and procedures.

 Monitoring, Reporting, Review and Evaluation:

·       Ensures compliance of all partner organisations on the cooperation agreements related to financial reporting obligations, and on the Financial and Administrative Guide for Partners

·       Responsible for the timely submission of financial reports by Partners and promptly follow up; and report any late submissions to the Country Director.

·       Conduct detailed reviews together with the Finance and Admin Assistant, of the bimonthly financial reports prepared by the partners prior to the signing as approval by the Country Director. Verify compliance, accountability, and financial correctness. Track expenses against fund advances.

·       Prepare the bimonthly consolidated financial reports for submission to the regional office in Sweden, as well as other financial reports for submission to donor partner organisations.

·  Carry out annual financial monitoring of all partner organisations and submit finance monitoring reports to the country director for any management decision making purposes to ensure compliance with cooperation agreements and partners’ finance management.

·       Conduct financial risk assessments of partner organisations to avoid errors and irregularities that could be material to the financial and accounting system.

·       Support all external evaluation missions related to Sida and other co-funded project, as relevant

Other:

• Inform all partners as well as other stakeholders such as consultants about We Effect’s code of conduct and anticorruption principles

• Be responsible for the quality of the organization and services and ensure the proper care and maintenance of its assets

• Report any illegitimate expenses misuse of funds or other false financial claims to the Country Director/ Regional Director in Stockholm.

• Respect and adhere to the We Effect’s anti-corruption policy. Never accept or be promised, request or give promise or offer a bribe or other undue rewards, remuneration, compensations undue advantage or benefit of any kind, which constitute illegal or inappropriate behaviour. In all administrative practices strictly follow the laws of the country.

• Keep Confidential all financial and sensitive information pertaining to the Country Office and its projects

• Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Country Director for the good functioning of the Country Programme, office, and its projects

Required qualifications

·       University degree or equivalent within a relevant field on Accountancy, Business Development, Development studies

·       Experience of finance management for international development cooperation

·       Skills in financial management and budget analysis

·       Strong understanding and practical experience of planning, monitoring and evaluation methods commonly used in development cooperation

·       Good knowledge and experience in project/ program cycle management and Results Based Management (RBM)

·       At least Three years’ experience in financial management, preferable at an I/NGO

·       Strong knowledge on civil society work

·       Physically fitted since the position demands regular travelling and field monitoring

 Merits

       Strong experience of finance management in civil society or other organisations

·       Good knowledge of accounting systems including Excel, Quickbooks and Xledger

·       Good knowledge of computer system including Outlook 365, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook Strong verbal and written command of English and Pilipino

·       Good problem solver, analytical, creative, and innovative

·       Good team worker

Application

Apply by uploading your CV and cover letter to https://www.impactpool.org/ no later than 15 February 2022.  Your application documents must be in English.

The employment is a permanent position with a six months’ probation period. Start date as soon as possible.

We Effect strive for diversity in the organisation and welcome applicants regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability.