Context
About Relief International
Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and well being.
Currently, RI is active in 14 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.
Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.
About our Country Program/ Regional Programs
Syria Country Program
Middle East Region
RI operates in six countries in the Middle East region: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Yemen, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity. We employ more than 4,000 staff (direct and indirect) in the Middle East region and implement a range of humanitarian and development programs valued at approximately $70 million USD on an annual basis.
Job Profile
Under the direct supervision of the Finance compliance controller , and dotted line to the finance manager. the primary responsibility of the Finance Officer is to liaise regularly with Country Mission Damascus focus but also strong engagement with all other field locations Finance Focal Points on monthly finance reports, ensure books closing, accounts are properly reconciled, receivables and payable schedules are up to date; the Finance Officer will be responsible for all matters related to Payments in Damascus, would liaise with the CPA, local tax and other authorities, Banks and alternative providers to ensure daily operations of Finance Department in Damascus are properly and timely functioning in respect to local regulations and organizational and donor requirements.
Key responsibilities
Accountability and Complexity
Accounting
Responsible for ensuring monthly finance closing of the mission โ Damascus level on time: Manage all accounting for Damascus office and conduct a daily posting. Process all office and staff payment on time. Establish a good tracking system for advances and ensure that clearance of advances is done on time. Liaise with Regional Support Office (RSO) Focal Poitns for month closing Ensure monthly books are closed in NetSuite by month closing deadlines each month.. Record payment vouchers daily in the cash and bank sub-journals and later in the Netsuite system.Payments and Reporting
Collaborate with the Banks and other providers to ensure that queries related to payments are timely resolved (return payments, under/over payments of staff, suppliers and contractors incorrect account details etc). Act as main FP for bank matters (including but not limited to opening, closing bank accounts, adding signatories, preparing reconciliations, payments, ensure sufficient balances are available to avoid liquidity shortages, other matters as required) Verify Damascus office expenses, expats allowances, travel claims and other cash payments. Process expats monthly salary advances and housing allowances payment in light of RI policies and appropriately book in NetSuite system Perform daily cash count and update status of bank book. Support HR department in Preparation and Process Payroll Payments of Damascus office staff Maintain custody of the office petty cash fund and make daily payments of approved transactions. Ensure cash liquidity is maintained at proper levels and request funding timely through RRFs Support Field locations with Payroll Processing (including payment request, processing, execution of payments, uploading into different platforms/databases, booking of expenses) Prepare any governmental reports as required per local requirements (e. Social security, tax departments, any relevant financial institution bodies) and share with CPA, Finance Compliance Controller and Finance Manager for review and validation Assign cards to new employees and vendors, monitor their balances, perform monthly reconciliations, and generate the required reports; act as focal person for Card System approach - validating IDs and assigning the cards, make the monthly reconciliations, approving top-ups and provide technical support to HR, Log team and finance field staff; ensure reconciliation of payables with the Card system provider
Filing, Retention and Audit Readiness
Maintain full computerized and up-to-date filing system for the Damascus office in the Accounting System - Netsuite and Box / SharePoint for audit ready purpose. Prepare photocopies and/or scans of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the monthly reporting package to HQ Finance. Support with Audit missions by sharing the support documents for audit sampleOther
Occasionally travel to Country Field or other locations for gap filling of finance staff. Perform other duties as required.Safeguarding
Uphold and promote RIโs commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve. Consistent with RIโs safeguarding and protection policies, ensure all people who come into contact with Relief International are as safe as possible.Behavior and conduct
Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RIโs code of conduct and safeguarding policies Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional Reports any concernsPerson Specification
Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.
Essential criteria
University degree in accountancy, finance or business management. CMA/ACCA and other accountancy qualifications are desirable. Minimum 3 years of experience working in Finance or Accounting department in INGOs is preferred Experience of working in USAID/OFDA and Echo funded projects. Moreover hands on experiences of donor monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports. Comfortable to travel within the region on short notice, as and when needed Strong analytical and advanced MS Excel skills Solid understanding of USAID and EC donorโs compliance, reporting & regulations and GAAP principles Good communicator, detail oriented, team player Past experience of working on computerized accounting software (e.g. NetSuite, Sun system, ERP and etc.)Desirable criteria
Solid experience of working on similar role on MENA regional offices with other International humanitarian NGOsRI Values
Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as โDo No Harm,โ Relief International Values:
Integrity Adaptability Collaboration Inclusivity Sustainability