Job Vacancy at CARITAS Sierra Leone – Finance / Admin Officer

Based in Kenema, Sierra Leone with occasional travel within the Eastern Region

Reports to: Director

Annual Basic Salary – Very attractive

Duration: Initial one year period

Full Time, 40 hours per week

Background:

Caritas Kenema is the Development and Humanitarian arm of the Diocese of Kenema. Caritas Kenema supports evangelization through Social Economic Development and Humanitarian interventions to all.

Caritas Kenema has been operational for over 20 years. It has been working mainly in livelihoods and food security, justice and peace, relief and emergency response and recovery programmes helping to fight against poverty and injustices within Kenema, Kono and Kailahun Districts.

Job Scope

The Finance/Admin Officer is responsible for maintaining financial, accounting, administrative and personnel services in order to meet laid down requirements and support both field and programme operations.

Job Purpose:

The Finance/Admin Officer reports to the Director  and is responsible for preparing financial statements, maintaining cash controls, preparing the payroll and personnel administration, purchasing, maintaining accounts payable and managing office operations.  S/he also ensures adherence to all policies relating to procurement, human resource and finance, ensuring best practice and a commitment to Caritas Internationalis principles and values.

Accountability: The post holder reports directly to the Director and has line management responsibilities of procurement, Admin Assistant, driver/logistics.

Major Roles of the position:

• Ensure organisational compliance with Sierra Leone & International finance regulations;

• Lead development of financial plans, budgets and forecasts;

• Prepare financial statements and lead preparation of year end accounts;

• Produce monthly income and expenditure statements for Caritas Sierra Leone, Kenema and its donors;

• Monitor donor funded projects and provide accurate reporting;

• Review financial processes and procedures on an annual basis;

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for donors as required;

• Carry out benchmarking exercises and supplier reviews to obtain value for money on its purchases.

• Ensure that accounting records and books of accounts are kept up to date and are in accordance with organisation’s chart of accounts;

• Maintain and administer an on-site financial accounting and bookkeeping system (QuickBooks) required to assure the integrity and effective performance of financial operations and prepare monthly reports;

• Ensure that all payments to suppliers and/or projects are in accordance with relevant regulations and approved plans/budgets;

• Manage monthly payroll, and ensure necessary deductions and reimbursements are processed against staff accounts;

• Ensure that bank reconciliation as well as debtors and creditors statements are done monthly;

• Ensure that cheque books, purchase order books, invoices etc. are well accounted for and are kept in a safe and secure custody;

• Implement annual internal and external audit recommendations;

• Oversee adherence to organisation’s financial, procurement and HR policies and procedures, and continuously improve systems and mitigate risks;

• Provide supervisory support and performance management to the Driver/Office Assistant, and the Admin Assistant;

• Provide training and coaching to the programme staff as per organisational capacity building plans;

• Oversee induction of new staff (Finance and others) and ensure that they settle comfortably on their roles;

• Take lead in staff recruitment and ensure that personnel files are kept up to date in a secured location

• Any other duty that may be designated by line manager

Key working relationships

Internal: Director of Caritas Sierra Leone Kenema, Chairman Caritas Board of Directors, Programme Manager, Procurement point person, M&E lead, and all sector Project Officers

External: Government of Sierra Leone Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Partners, Local and International NGO community.

Job specific competencies

• Academic degree in accounting, administration and or human resources

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience with an International NGO in a similar role

• Experience using financial software such as QuickBooks or SUN system

• Strong analytical and critical thinking, fundraising, coordination and writing skills are highly desirable

• Experience from interacting with NGOs, faith-based and civil society organisations and government funding agencies would be an added advantage

• Good people management skills

• Good interpersonal skills, communication, computer and report writing skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Office computer skills (Microsoft Office-Word, Excel, ad Power Point)

• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks

• Flexible work schedule to include some weekends

Organisational Competencies

• Demonstrates good understanding of the Catholic Church and is able to work effectively with it – demonstrates a sympathetic understanding of the life and culture of the Catholic Church and its role in development work;

• Supports and promotes a culture of mutual respect, trust and transparency

How to apply

Interested candidates should apply with:

• A supporting statement (max. of 400 words) outlining your suitability for this role and why this role interests you

• CV not exceeding 4 pages.

Applications can be hand delivered to the following address:

Office Assistant

Caritas Sierra Leone Kenema

4 reservation road

You can aalso send your application by email to:

[email protected]

with subject line “Finance/Admin Officer, Caritas Sierra Leone-Kenema”

Closing date for application is 2nd November  2021 by 4:00 PM.