Term of Reference (ToR)

Position : Finance Officer
Location : Freetown, Sierra Leone
Responsible to : Country Finance Manager
Duration : 10 Months

The Organization:

Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground (Search) works to transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches towards collaborative solutions. With headquarters in Washington DC and a European office in Brussels, Search works to support constructive conflict resolution and inclusive decision-making in 39 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

We have worked in Sierra Leone since 2000, producing innovative radio and television programmes that have contributed to opening the space for dialogue on critical and sensitive social and political issues in the country. We have expertise in strategic communication, reinforcing the government’s and international community’s efforts on key campaigns, including governance reform, food security, gender mainstreaming, environment, education, health, elections, debate and decentralization.

Summary of the Position:
This is a full-time position assigned to the Finance Department for the purpose of supporting the management of Search’s finances, policies, and ensuring compliance with financial management procedures and processes for the Irish Aid Project titled Women United! Strengthening Women-led Social Cohesion and Accountability in Sierra Leone. The holder of this position will work closely with the other finance team members of Search, as well as partner’s Finance Officers ensuring that transactions are transparent, properly documented, and compliant with Search and donor requirements. S/he is expected to support the Irish Aid programme staff, partner organisations and CSOs to remain compliant within the financial management rules of Search and Irish Aid. S/he will be responsible to ensure that payment vouchers, receipts, liquidation, good delivery notes, field advances, meet the minimum standard based on Search’s processes and procedures. S/he will be providing training, coaching and mentoring support to Search’s staff and partners to build their capacity for efficient oversight of their internal controls, funds management and accounting processes.

Financial Management and Compliance
Perform oversight and review of financial management processes including supporting documentations of both Search and its partners in line with the donor and Search’s procedures.
Ensure that all expenditure related to Irish Aid grant is properly charged to appropriate budget lines and documented.
Ensure financial records are kept up-to-date with the latest transactions and charges.
Maintain records and receipts for all daily transactions on the said grant.
Verify and support scanning of all supporting documentations with details attach in INTACCT.
To manage disbursement of advances to staff and partners, monitor the liquidations or retirement of those advances in respect to the policy of Search on advances.
Ensure daily entries of financial transactions of the Irish Aid grant in to INTACCT
Contribute to financial audits of the Irish Aid grant.
Ensure WATCHLIST is attached to every transaction according to the organization policy
Monitor all bank deposits and payments, participate in monthly Budget verse Actual meetings
Prepare journal entries to record bi-weekly payroll, re-class for wrong posting or coding, Bank charges, advance liquidations, and transfer from HQ.
Assist the Country Finance Manager in the review of supporting documentations for partners’ liquidations.

Cash Management:
Review petty cash management process, bank balances, and bank reconciliation.
Monitor currency gain/loss by recording and reconciling them on a monthly basis
Prepare monthly balance sheet
Support Irish Aid’s fund request processes.
Prepare draft payroll for Finance Manager’s review

Reporting:
Monthly Financial Reports on the Irish Aid project
Support the preparation of Monthly Financial Reports (MFRs)
Support the review of partners quarter report and provide feedback.
Support the production of final financial reports

Meetings and external Engagement
Support to organize monthly budget verse actual meetings for all staff.
Attend meeting with partners and produce report for every meeting.
Be available for external engagement at short notice.
Be available to travel to the providence where necessary.

Key competencies:
The below competencies have been identified as particularly important for the candidate to perform at the required level:
Basic understanding of double entry bookkeeping including trial balance. Able to prepare a journal and to reconcile a standing balance.
Excellent understanding of INGO financial management principles, structures, actors, and processes.
Able to analyse basic financial data and reach reasonable conclusions.
Able to write a comprehensive list of system procedures or instructions for use by non-finance staff.
Able to identify an arithmetical mistake. Able to review a schedule of financial data and to identify unusual items.
A collaborative communicator and team player.
A calm, confident and decisive self-starter requiring little further skill development to perform competently, and to the required standards.
Ability to set quality standards, monitor and maintain quality of work, and set goals to achieve continuous improvement.
Able to work in multi-cultural environment and adapt to gender and religious sensitivities.
Good understanding of the Sierra Leone political context and ability to work with all regions, political parties and other stakeholders
Ability to work effectively in high-stress situations, maintaining professionalism and a clear urgency of purpose.

Time Management Skills: Ability to effectively prioritise workload and meet deadlines.

Required education and Experience:
The position holder MUST have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or related fields
At least 3- 5 years progressive experience working in the Financial Management Sector
At least 2-3 years’ experience working for and or with an INGO in similar position

Hours of Work:
The holder of this position will be expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Standard work hours will be 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday with one hour for lunch. S/he may be required to work on weekends depending on the workload or field visit schedule. S/he will be based in Freetown but might travel in the field to support activities.
Mode of Application:
Interested and qualified candidates are asked to send their CVs (No more than 3 pages including names and contacts of 2 referees and motivation letter before close of business on 27th Feb 2021 at 4:00 pm through email to:

sierraleone-job@sfcg.org

Emails should be titled: “Application: Finance Officer”.

Affirmatively: Women are especially encouraged to apply