Part-Time Interim Finance Manager

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Part-time, 15-20 hours per week, until August 2022.

Role Overview

Oversee the financial activities of the programme. A Part-Time Interim Finance Manager is needed for maternity cover through August 2022. As acting Finance Manager, this person carries out the various accounting functions required to provide accurate and timely information to donors, GSO, field management and the field teams on the financial status of the programme. This involves organising and following the financial processes required for the projects to function effectively as well as managing the finance team.  It includes providing coaching and training.

Project Overview

Since registration in January 2015, Medair has successfully completed projects in most governorates in Syria within the Health (including Disability), Nutrition, WASH and Shelter sectors. Project work is now conducted from three bases (Aleppo, Damascus, and Deir-ez-Zour) with over 40 staff in total.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Financial Management

• Reconciling / verifying bank and cash amounts on a regular basis.
• Ensuring payments are made in a timely fashion. Daily entry of financial transactions in accounting software.
• Daily collection of exchange rates memo’s as published by Central Bank of Syria.
• Supporting field bases in financial matters. Providing functional supervision to Finance Officer in field locations.
• Liaising with the GSO Finance Officer as required and specifically as issues arise or when changes occur to the policies and procedures for financial operations.

Accounting Functions

• Preparing the monthly cash needs forecast for the programme, ensuring that money is transferred between locations in a timely manner and that daily cash needs are met. Preparing the monthly financial accounts.
• Work with HR to ensure the preparation of monthly payroll, payment and record-keeping of staff salaries and allowances is done in a timely manner and in accordance with local employment regulations, ensuring that all required statutory deductions are made and subsequently paid to the appropriate authorities.

Other

• Support & oversee the Finance Officer, who is monitoring project spending on a monthly basis, communicating with the programme managers about any under/ over spend and working with them to agree actions required in order to bring spending in line with approved budgets.
• Work with Budget holders and GSO staff in the development of budgets for projects & shared costs.
• Contribute to the financial management of signed donor grants. Work with GSO Programme Finance Officer (PFO), CD, DCD and PC in the preparation and submission of new donor proposal.
• Support the PFO in financial reporting to donors, providing relevant documents and narrative explanation of any anomalies or discrepancies. Prepare and deliver financial reports within the required timeframe.
• Support the FO, who will manage, prepare for and support internal and external field financial audits, providing all information required by local legislation, donors, GSO or other bodies.
• Ensure that Medair Finance Procedures are followed in the Country Programme’s offices as part of internal control monitoring; support the Finance Officer to do the same.
• Support the Finance Officer, who is the temporary Country Programme focal point for staff monthly Labour report (LR) / timesheets. Ensure timely submission and approval of LR’s as part of the monthly closing.

Administration

• Meet the finance related administrative requirements of Medair, donors, local legislation, suppliers, contractors.
• Support the FO to ensure a clear and transparent paper trail is in place for all financial transaction, that records are kept in an orderly fashion and that the filing system is in line with Medair internal archiving policies, meet donor requirements and all financial documentation is scanned monthly and uploaded.

Staff Management

• Manage the programme finance staff including recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisal, etc. Support the FO, who is providing functional supervision to FO in field locations.

Communication

• Develop and maintain a communication structure with colleagues to ensure they are kept informed of applicable financial activities and requirements, including the distribution of key financial information.
• Provide training, advice, mentoring and coaching as required to all relevant staff on financial management, procedures, internal controls and financial requirements of donors.

Security

• Support and oversee the Finance Officer, who will control and manage the security of in-country cash when held on site and when being transferred to other account holders.
• Conduct regular internal audits and report immediately any possible fraud or theft.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in accounting or equivalent relevant subject and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• Relevant professional experience in a financial position for at least four years of which at least one year with an International NGO. At least 1-year management experience in any field.
• Excellent attention to detail. High numeracy skills. Problem solving ability. Good document writing skills.
• Able to manage own work and resources in a way that meets time bound objectives.
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the capacity to analyse and prioritise needs.
• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style. Experience in working with institutional donors.
• Experience in dealing with banks, foreign currency offices and other financial institutions.

All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.