Finance Manager Cordaid Juba

Country: South Sudan

Post: Finance Manager

Duty station:                Juba, South Sudan

Organizational Background

Cordaid combines more than 90 years’ experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. We are one of the biggest international development organisations with a network of almost 1,000 partner organisations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Cordaid is also a member of Caritas Internationalis, a worldwide network of Catholic organizations involved in emergency relief, rehabilitation and development.

Cordaid has been active in South Sudan for more than 20 years, focusing on civil society capacity-building via technical advice, accompaniment, lobby & advocacy, linking & learning as well as strategic financing. During this period we have developed a vast network of local and international partner organizations from the grassroots up to the national level. In South Sudan Cordaid works exclusively through local partner organisations, supported by a team of in-country advisors and programme officers based at Cordaid HQ in The Hague. Our current programme in South Sudan focuses on four thematic areas: 1) conflict transformation; 2) healthcare; 3) emergency preparedness/response and disaster risk reduction; and 4) entrepreneurship.

Focus of the Position

The Finance Manager will be overall responsible for the accounting and financial management of the Cordaid South Sudan country office in Juba as well as new field offices, including Malakal.  This senior-level job entails the overall financial management of the country office budget and any programmes managed and/or implemented by the country and field offices.  A second and third focus area of this position is to safeguard compliance with back-donor contracts and adherence to the logistics and procurement policies.

The Finance Manager reports to the Head of Mission, and works closely with the finance officer(s), logistics officer, financial capacity-building officer and other support staff in ensuring smooth, effective and efficient operational finance & administrative support to the country and field offices and financial oversight of programs.

Specific responsibilities

Planning & Control

• Maintain overall budget control and facilitate the Head of Mission in performance reviews;
• Provide up-to-date analysis and regular reports of the financial situation of the Cordaid offices and the programs to Cordaid Headquarters (HQ) in The Hague;
• Manage the cash flow and ensure there is adequate cash in-country for activities/operations.

Accounting

• Conduct spot checks on transactions and have a particular responsibility towards maintaining transparency and accountability within finance and administration. Also ensure the integrity and completeness of supporting documents is maintained.
• Ensure monthly balance sheet reconciliations are prepared on a timely basis and any unusual items are investigated and corrective action taken promptly.

Compliance & internal controls

• Ensure that adequate financial management procedures and systems are in place, and that Cordaid’s accounting practices and standards are adhered to.
• Perform regular field visits and ensure adequate internal controls are in place.
• Liaise closely with legal advisors to ensure adherence with local laws, in  particular labour laws.

Manage contracts & external auditing

• Ensure adherence to individual donor policies and regulations and timely reporting on donor grants and that Cordaid’s external financial obligations are met;.
• Facilitate and coordinate internal and external audits in-country and follow up on recommendations.
• Advise in drafting new contracts.

Supervision & training

• Conduct trainings and maintain a supervisory role for the finance & logistics officers. This also includes performance monitoring and appraisals in consultation with the Head of Mission.
• Conduct regular field trips to Cordaid offices for monitoring and supervision purposes, and conduct training, or identify needs for training among Cordaid staff.
• Assists with any other duties assigned by the Head of Mission, as and when required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Academic degree or certificate in finance, accounting, or related field;
• Proven experience in similar managerial position of at least 5 – 10 years, with a track record in financial management of large back-donor contracts;
• Hands-on experience with administrating complex donor funded civil society programs as well as sound knowledge of related organisational policies, administrative systems and procedures, and budgeting processes;
• Experience in working with communities and local civil society organizations in conflict-affected states in Africa, preferably South Sudan;
• Experience in working with faith-based / church organizations is an asset;
• Experience in setting up offices;
• Knowledge of South Sudan’s logistical challenges and socio-political environment is an asset;
• Be diplomatic, culturally sensitive, result-oriented and a team player;
• Excellent English writing and communication skills. Juba Arabic language skills is an asset.

Specifics of duty station and position

The Finance Manager will be based in Juba, South Sudan. He/she will have to travel occasionally to Malakal, Wau, Yambio, as well as other cities in South Sudan for training and coaching purposes, financial monitoring, and consultation meetings.

This is a senior-level management position open to internationals and/or South Sudanese with the required experience and qualifications.

Contract information

The contract period is for 6 months initially, with the possibility of extension based on performance, starting as soon as possible. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes comprehensive insurance cover, social security, pension contribution and a travel allowance.

Further information & how to apply

For additional information, please contact Josée van der Beek, Recruiter. Phone: +31 70 3136 300.

Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be submitted before 31 January 2013. Please note that we accept applications through our website only:www.cordaid.nl (on the home page down left “werken bij  Cordaid” >  Vacatures>  then select the relevant vacancy, and click on the ‘solliciteren’ button) or www.cordaid.org (on the home page down left “working for Cordaid” > Vacancy overview>  then select the relevant vacancy, and click on the ‘solliciteren’ button). Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. An assessment might be part of the procedure.