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Finance Officer – National Post

Save the Children is the world's largest independent Children’s organization, making immediate and long-lasting improvements to children's lives in over 120 countries worldwide. Save the Children is made up of 27 member organizations across the globe. Through Unified Presence, Save the Children aims to create a stronger voice for children by unifying the operations in all countries where more than one Save the Children Member organizations operates. This will result in one organization at the national level in each country and a unified programme delivery structure for all Save the Children Alliance Members.

Save the Children has a long history of engagement in Somalia and has been working in Somalia and Somaliland for the past 40 years. Save the Children has a unified presence in Somalia and Somaliland since January 2010 and is working in the thematic areas of education (including skills training for youth), child survival (health, nutrition & livelihood), protection and emergency responses. Save the children has an operation in Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia.

This Job Profile relates to Finance Officer Position at Save the Children country office in Hargeisa, which will support all its operations in three geographical locations, Somaliland, Puntland and Central South Somalia.
Therefore; Save the Children is seeking applications from qualified Somalia/Somaliland nationals to fill the following position based in Hargeisa

VACANT POST
1. Finance Officer – National Post in Hargeisa

Save the Children is an equal opportunities employer and highly encourages women to apply. Save the Children is committed to supporting performance based career progression for female employees. The following are additional benefits which would apply to successful female candidates:
1. 14 weeks maternity leave subject to certain length of service conditions
2. Dependent home care allowance where applicable
3. Health care allowance
4. 30 days of annual leave excluding weekends [Fridays]
Applications should be forwarded to: vacancies@scsom.org

Latest date for receiving applications is on Monday 28th Feb 2011, 15:00 pm, only short listed candidates will be contacted.

JOB PURPOSE

To assist the Finance and Grants Manager in the operation of Save the Children computerised accounting systems including production of periodic analytical financial reports, to ensure that finance documents are correctly stored and easily accessible, to assist in ensuring financial controls in all project sites and to undertake periodic audit visit to field sites.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Prepare monthly and quarterly financial diaries for SUN Accounts systems and ensure its strict adherence to the HQ deadlines and deadlines set at the Country Level.

Process and Import HQ file into the CON database.

Provide support for Grants Managers, Field Finance Officers, Accountants and Budget Holders on accuracy of budgets posted into FBS, Budget re-phasing, expenditure coding and Budget monitoring.

Process monthly salary advances and ensure that HQ payroll deducts from International staff salaries.

Assist budget Holders and grant managers in preparation of donor financial reports and audit schedules for terminal grant audits as when required.

Maintenance, updating of the FBS by importing, approving and exporting of all FBS budgets into SUN system.

Responsible for ensuring that reconciliation of balance sheet/control accounts are carried out at least quarterly, ensuring that year-end accounting procedures are followed consistently and that any discrepancies are reported to the Finance and Grants Manager.

Carry out autonomous field checks and visits to support and build capacities of the Field Finance teams.

Take part in preparation for and undertaking of internal and external audit exercises and subsequent implementation of the auditors’ recommendations. In this regard ensure all finance documents are accurately filed and are easily retrievable.

Review and compile Field Monthly Management Control (MMC) documents for preparation of the Programme MMC and communicating any issues arising to the Field offices with subsequent follow-up.

Ensure that systems are put in place to assure document security for a complete audit trail from the SUN accounts records to supporting documentation and vice versa.

Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to health and safety, security, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.

Provide induction on Finance matters to newly recruited staff at the field level.

Perform other tasks as instructed by his/her supervisor.

Child Safeguarding
• As an employee of Save the Children you are required to comply with the practice and principles as stated in Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy either in the course of your employment or in your private life. By signing the Declaration of Acceptance Form and the general Code of Conduct.
• Actions undertaken solely, or participated in by you, which seriously contravene the principles of this policy either in the course of employment or in your private life, may be considered to be gross misconduct, [constituting automatic dismissal] depending on the facts of the case.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, the Code of Conduct, Health and safety, fraud, whistle blowing, equal opportunities and other relevant policies

WORKING CONTACTS:

Internal: Finance Team, Budget Holders, and Support Services.
External: Tax Offices, External Auditors, Regulatory Bodies, Bank, Insurance, Suppliers, Transporters, Alliance members and partners.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Degree or equivalent in accounting qualification

Minimum 3 years experience as finance officer or accountant within in an INGO using computerized accounting systems using MS Excel, spread sheets, MS Word and Accounting packages,

High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team

Ability and willingness to work under high pressure, travel to field offices and pressure to meet tight deadlines.

DESIRABLE:

This position is open only to Somali nationals.

Degree or equivalent in accounting qualification

Minimum 3 years experience as finance officer or accountant within in an INGO using computerised accounting systems using MS Excel, spread sheets, MS Word and Accounting packages,
High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team
Ability and willingness to work under high pressure, travel to field offices and pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Code of Conduct
Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.
How to apply
vacancies@scsom.org