Job Description

Vacancy Announcement  

Concern Worldwide is an international non-governmental humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

 Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position

Job Title: Deputy Country Financial Controller (DCFC)

Reports to: Country Financial Controller (CFC)

Job Location: Mogadishu office with regular visits to the field and other programme locations (i.e. Hargeisa, Baidoa and including visit to Concern partners.

Contract Details: One (1) year (renewable)

Liaises with: Programme Director, Programme Grant Owners/Team, Systems Director, Systems team (Finance, Admin & HR, Logs and IT), Partners Staff

Direct reports: Senior Partnership Accountant, Technically: Finance and Admin Officer, Baidoa Office, Technically: Finance Officer, Hargeisa Office

Salary Scale: 8A.4

Job Purpose:

The jobholder will assist the Country Financial Controller in the day-to-day operations of the finance function including but not limited to compliance, controls, donor and partner management, reporting, budgets and staff capacity building. Ensure all relevant financial compliance and audit requirements are adhered to while ensuring all financial data are accurately captured in the Concern financial system. The jobholder will provide support & guidance to senior managers, budget holders in donor compliance issues and budget monitoring. He/she will oversee the completion of Somalia management accounts by due date and distribution to grant owners/budget holders and, prepare draft Financial Report Package and Budget for review by the Country Financial Controller as per Concern cycle

The jobholder will have an oversight role on our partners and therefore accountable for partner finances. This will include the pre-assessment of partner financial capacities, the development of appropriate financial clauses in partner agreement, the monitoring of partner expenditure and performance, the development of partner capacity building strategies and assistance to partners and programme managers in the planning and design phase of the project.

The position will have an oversight role on Fixed Asset Management by ensuring proper records are maintained for organizational asset.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

Donor Management (Budgeting, Reporting, Filing)

• Liaise with both the Grants & Information Manager and Senior Donor Accountants to ensure all relevant donor guidelines, policies, circulars and procedures are readily available, streamlined, complied with during both planning, implementation and closeout of grants.
• Liaise with Programmes and Prepare/ update a schedule of all reports to be submitted during the year. Ensure that donor report are submitted as per in-country and Dublin guidelines
• Participate in periodic joint review of donor reports with budget holders upon arrangements
• Perform budget eligibility tests against donor guidelines/requirements during new budget development
• Represent finance in new proposal/budget development process
• Ensure appropriate and updated soft and hard copy filing and documentation regarding donor budget and report exists

Budgets and Budget Revisions as per Concern Budgeting Cycle

• Follow up on timey submission of budgets from budget holders and undertake review of draft budgets to confirm that it reflects as accurately as possible the financial impact of proposed activities
• Assist in consolidating finalized Budget Data in to the standard budget pack.
• Prepare the budget in a manner ready to be imported into the GP system.
• Import the budget to the system (GP) in consultation with the CFC
• Generate revised budget codes based on revised budget
• Ensure appropriate and updated soft and hard copy filing and documentation of the budget information exists.

Financial Reporting Pack (FRP) as per Concern Reporting Cycle

• Assist the CFC during financial report (FRP) preparations by producing a draft FRP for review with the CFC
• Assist in addressing FRP review feedback from HQ
• Properly file the final FRP after feedback both in soft and hard copies
• Undertake periodical joint review (at least quarterly) of management accounts with budget holders based on agreed upon arrangements

Partnership Management:

• Provide technical support during new partner selection and subsequent periodic assessment.
• Provide support and guidance during the formulation of the partner agreements to ensure that the agreements have taken into consideration the global Concern procedures and the findings of the assessment.

• Provide support and guidance during the design and development partner budget.
• Undertake final budget review at the consolidation stage, highlighting areas of variance in terms of support costs and previous year’s expenditure and enable easy consolidation of data to the budget pack and system.
• Undertake sampled periodic review (and investigate) of partner’s financial reports (and supporting documentation) and ensure donor compliance where applicable and liaise with the Senior Partnership Accountant for action.
• Carry out planned and ad hoc reviews/audits to support and monitor organizations’ activities on an agreed terms of reference
• Provide the necessary to ensure Partner’s internal controls are effective by assessing critical processes
• Follow ups to ensure external audits are conducted by partners in compliance with the agreement. Review these external audit reports
• Review disbursement position and facilitate the timely and appropriate release of funds to the partner.
• The ACFC will be a resource person for supporting partners on key trainings, development of financial control systems. This will dependant on the needs of the partner as identified in the findings of the assessment, communication and consultation with the partner
• Ensure Partner Reports and Findings are circulated to all interested parties within Concern and the Partner.
• Ensure monthly partner accounts reconciliation is done, reviewed and in case of any variance, it’s explained and cleared accordingly.

Other Duties:

• The position holder will be required to deputise in the absence of the Country Financial Controller.
• Assist the Country Financial Controller in the capacity building of finance team members, non-finance managers and provide induction on finance for newly joined and maintain up-to-date induction materials
• Maintain good communications within the team and ensure that all information is shared within the team
• Pay regular supervisory field visits
• Contribute to the production of accurate and timely financial reports of the programme.
• Ensure proper records are maintained for organisational asset by carrying out regular review of asset register and physical count.
• Give financial management support to other field offices.

• Represent the Finance Department internally and externally
• Follow up of recommendations made by the internal and external auditors.
• Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information acquired in the course of duty, relating to the practices and business of Concern Worldwide, to any other person or Organization except in normal execution of the above duties
• Ensuring strict guardianship and security of financial data and documents at all times, including secure storage, accurate & complete filing and limiting access to the finance office to authorized personnel only.
• Ensuring strict adherence to Concern Somalia Financial Procedures and Fraud Policy and remaining within the boundaries of these policies at all times.
• Ensuring, along with all staff, that all activities are implemented and managed in a transparent participatory manner and in line with Concern Worldwide policies and procedures.

Confidentiality

• Ensure the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever acquired in the course of duty, relating to the practices and business of Concern Worldwide, to any other person or Organization without authority, except in normal execution of the above duties
• Ensure strict guardianship and security of financial data and documents at all times, including secure storage, accurate & complete filing and limiting access to the finance office to authorised personnel only.

Accountability and Safeguarding

• In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS):
• actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E);
• work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behavior is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies

• Ensure adherence to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies
• Ensure finance staff understanding and adhere to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies
• Ensure the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) are understood by finance staff.

Experiences and Qualifications

Essential:

• Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA) or equivalent professional degree.
• 5 years post qualification experience in Concern or a similar organization preferably as international staff.
• Experience in developing staff capacity both on technical and management aspects.
• Experience managing large and multi donor (especially IA, USAID, ECHO, FCDO, EU etc.) programme budgets.
• Must be fully fluent in English.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of development issues and concepts.
• Academic background of or strong practical experience in macro-economic and/or fiscal policy.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Experience working in partnership with local, national and international organisations
• Good team worker
• Good Communication and negotiation skills
• A good understanding of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word, Excel, communications systems and basic trouble shooting skills.
• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation
• Good communication and training / capacity building skills
• Proven organization, planning and management skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams
• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment.

Disclaimer Clause

This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised by the line manager from time to time.

Skills Required

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