Closing date: 07 Dec 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Côte d'Ivoire - Abdijan
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a Regional Finance Officer to support our programmes in West Africa.
DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL IN WEST AFRICA
Our organisation has been operational in West Africa since 1998. Our aim is to contribute to the peace and stabilization and protection and promotion of durable solution to crisis-affected populations in Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Guinée, Burkina Faso and other West African countries. This is done through the development of a regional portfolio of programmes supporting integration or durable return and re-integration of refugees, internally displaced people and ex-combatants. At the same time, assistance is also provided to communities affected by refugees and returnees, and to communities or groups of people still affected by conflict.
Danida, EC, UNHCR, and the WB currently fund our operations in West Africa along with private contributions. Our main Regional Office is located in Abidjan with a sub-regional office in Monrovia, and with field offices in Harper (Southeast Liberia), San Pedro (Southwest Côte d’Ivoire), Sanniquellie (North Liberia), Duékoué (West Côte d’Ivoire) and Nzerekore (Guinée Forestière).
Basic functions
Under the supervision of the Regional Head of Finance and Administration (RHFA), the Regional Finance Officer is assisting in the financial management of DRC’s operations in West Africa. The officer is particularly responsible for ensuring donor compliance in financial grant management and providing support to field offices in doing so.
Reporting relationships
The Regional Finance Officer will be part of larger team at the office in Abidjan and refer directly to the Regional Head of Finance and Administration.
Duty Station
Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire with travel in Liberia and Guinée (possibly in other countries in the sub-region when required)
Internal relations
The Regional Finance Officer is working in close collaboration with the Regional Human Resources Officer, the Regional Logistics Officer and the Program Support Unit. The Officer supports the RHFA for the coordination and technical supervision of the regional team of Admin/Finance staff (7 offices).
In case of absence of the Regional Finance Officer may be appointed ‘Acting Regional Head of Finance’.
External relations
The Regional Finance Officer represents the DRC in Finance coordination groups in Abidjan and Monrovia. The Officer should ensure frequent contacts and coordination with other finance departments of relevant donors and UN agencies in Abidjan, Monrovia and Conakry, as well as with relevant Government ministries (Labor & Finance)
Specific duties and responsibilities:
- Assist the RHFA in the administration and financial management of donor grants, preparation of interim and final financial reports required by the donor and DRC rules and regulations;
- Review monthly field office financial reports in compliance with DRC’s Operational Handbook, assuring the proper documentation for expenses has been provided and that approvals and allocations have been documented;
- Verify charges to projects for before submission of cashbooks to HQ, and prepare monthly budget follow-ups to field offices,
- Provide feedback and support to field offices regarding questions or points for improvement on monthly financial reports and help ensure all points are resolved by field office accountants;
- Provide financial management and analysis support by communicating to staff who should charge the grants and provide assistance in tracking project costs;
- Review and compile cash requests from field offices to HQ prior to approval by the RHFA and the Regional Director;
- Audit preparation and implementation with auditors;
- Assist in preparing budget amendments;
- Management of field recruited expatriate contracts and all expatriate leave and R&R;
- Ensure the coordination of all HR matters with the support of the Regional HR Officer;
- Support the management of asset lists in accordance with donor regulations and DRC Operational Handbook;
- Ensure proper physical and electronic filing system for the regional operation;
Other duties as handed down from the DRC Regional Director and the DRC HQ
THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE
- Has a high degree of numeracy and enjoys working with numbers and figures
- Is super user of excel
- Enjoys comparative work and analysis (incl. statistics material)
- Excels in putting his/hers analysis of any given context into writing in a fluent and understandable French and English
- Has interest in economies at both micro and macro level, even the household economy
- Has excellent command of French and English
- Has previous experience in managing grants, preferably EC, WB, UNHCR and Danida grants
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
- Minimum Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Accounting;
PERSONAL SKILLS
- Dedicated office/in-door worker
- Systematic and with a great sense of details
- Result-oriented, hands-on practical and able to work independently
- IT-abilities an advantage as would database management knowledge
Reference Code: RW_7Y7E8L-89
