Country: Iraq
Closing date: 31 Jan 2015
Position: Finance and Administration Manager
Place of Assignment: Dohuk, Kurdistan, Northern Iraq,
Single Posting
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Duration of Contract: Initial contract of 1 year
Job Summary:
The Lutheran World Federation, Department for World Service, Program in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq is looking for a mature, qualified and experienced Finance and Administration Manager to lead, manage and coordinate the Finance and Administration of the program. The position is based in Dohuk with travel to other project sites within the region.
Qualifications
- Experience: Several years’ experience in managing finances, accounting, administration and human resources aspects of development and emergency programs.
- Education: Professionally qualified accountant.
- Professional skills: Knowledge of church structures and experience with related agencies, ecumenical partners, other NGOs and UNHCR. Awareness of the general political, economic and development dynamics of the region. Strong organizational and management skills. Knowledge of the reporting requirements of ECHO, UNISEF, USAID, UNHCR and government funding agencies. Excellent command of English is essential. Good working knowledge of Kurdish and Arabic is desirable.
- Computer skills:Experience in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, accounting systems. LWF/DWS country programs use the ACCPAC General Ledger system.
- Commitment to train national staff and communities to increase their capacity for self-help and development.
- Applicants are required to be in sympathy with the core values of our organization.\*
Direct Supervisor: The DWS Finance and Administration Manager will be reporting to the Emergency Program Manager and will, in addition, take advice in financial matters from the DWS Global Finance Coordinator in Geneva.
Supervises: National Finance staff
Travel: Some local travel to implementation sites.
Content of the position
Basic Purpose: Assumes overall responsibility for managing all aspects of the financial and accountancy activities as well as the administrative and HR aspects of the LWF/DWS emergency Operations in Northern Iraq.
Position Environment and Dimensions Ensure that accounting systems are maintained to provide the information required for planning and monitoring and reporting for program operations, for safeguarding assets, discharging liabilities and legal responsibilities.Is responsible and for the overall supervision, implementation and administration of the following duties:
Main duties
- Manage and directly supervise one or several finance and admin officer(s).
- Supervise the preparation of all mandatory monthly, quarterly and yearly accounts including the monthly finance and management reports for the Emergency Program Manager of the LWF/DWS emergency operations in Northern Iraq and the LWF/DWS head office in Geneva, ensuring that accounting policies are properly and consistently applied and to submit such accounts in accordance with the deadlines in the LWF/DWS Finance Manual.
- Supervise the preparation of separate financial reports for funding agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), BPRM, etc. in accordance with the terms of the contracts.
- Where required, submit requests for installments of funds from funding agencies in a timely manner, ensuring a reliable cash flow for the program.
- Control of expenditure against budget for all projects.
- Assist in the preparation of, and verify the accuracy of, budgets for all projects, including Planning and Monitoring Documents (PMDs), bilateral projects and other projects (consortia), ACT appeals etc.
- Prepare cash flow projections in accordance with procedures, and manage the cash flow of the country program in order to ensure that sufficient funds are always available.
- Ensure that purchasing is carried out in accordance with the LWF/DWS Procurement Policy including review and improvement of systems as needed.
9.Ensure that procedures for electronic data storage, backups, and security are followed in accordance with the LWF/DWS Operations Manual.
- Liaise at the appropriate level with banks, tax authorities and other financial institutions.
- Co-ordinate the taking out of and the renewal of insurance as required by law for national staff, vehicles, as well as public liability insurance, fire insurance, etc.
- Assume responsibility for up to date and correct inventories of all project equipment, including the Asset Register.
13.Supervise national finance staff and other admin and program staff as requested by the DWS Emergency Program Manager for Northern Iraq.
14.Make arrangements, in agreement with the Emergency Program Manager for the recruitment of locally employed staff required for the program and deal with personnel matters, keeping himself/herself up to date on current legislation in force.
- Monitor the payment of salaries and allowances of local staff; ensure the timely payment of taxes, insurance and benefits, and ensure the maintenance of payroll records.
- Ensure that all staff settle advances and/or loans in line with established policy and procedures and that all accounts are settled at the time of termination of service.
- Ensure the compliance of the Personnel Policies and Regulations of the Lutheran World Federation.
- .Ensure the compliance with the LWF/DWS Operations Manual, as revised.
- Pursue an active policy of capacity building of the local finance staff.
- Ensure that internal controls are properly in place, including regular visits to project offices.
- Act as contact with external auditors on accounting matters and, in consultation with the Emergency Program Manager, to make available to them all records required for the purpose of auditing the accounts, including any additional audits for funding agencies.
- Prepare and submit to LWF/DWS Geneva, if applicable, monthly reports on visitors and other persons to be included under the group insurance policies.
- Work with administrative staff to ensure smooth office operations and cost savings where possible.
Special duties(as a permanent task) Fulfill any other duties as may be assigned by the Emergency Program Manager, or his/her designate.
Major Challenge:The Finance and Administration Manager must have experience in setting up and managing large systems to accompany large emergency response projects. This demands long working hours, working in difficult areas, security threats, working with many newly recruited staff (who are not yet familiar with LWF systems and policies), in different sectors, demanding good coordination with other actors, and ensuring that the finances, administration and reporting side of the program work is implemented in line with the requirements and agreements.
How to apply:
Applications (motivation letter and detailed curriculum vitae in English), with the names and e-mail addresses of three persons who know the applicant professionally, should be sent to:
Ms Aline Ritchie
Head of Human Resources
The Lutheran World Federation
P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
