Finance Controller x 2

Closing date: 13 August 2018

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is a British charity that supports the safety of aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.

The Organisation has grown from innovative start-up to become a globally recognised charity and a valuable component of the humanitarian safety coordination system.

Today the Organisation provides daily support to more than 850 NGOs in twelve of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for performance, principles & professionalism.

We are now seeking qualified and experienced individuals to join our head office finance team as Finance Controllers. The posts offer an exciting opportunity to support the safety of the humanitarian community and to use your financial skills and training in helping INSO deliver its valuable mission. FC posts are to be based at our Operational Support Office (OSO) in Dubai (UAE) with travel to field sites (>40% of work time).

There are two Finance Controller posts available immediately.

Job Summary

Finance Controllers report to the Finance Director and control the bookkeeping, financial activities and financial reporting of up to four overseas offices. They orient and support up to four field-based Finance Managers supporting policy implementation and procedural compliance. They monitor and support their assigned country office performance in terms of handling budgets, external reports (donors), accounts, internal control and cashflow. They contribute to improve the integrity and reliability of the INSO’s finance systems by; coordinating financial activities, upholding fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring effective stewardship of donor funds, contributing towards the further development of policies and procedures and orienting and mentoring staff with finance functions.

Main responsibilities

·       Ensure quality control over the financial transactions of the assigned countries including: review countries ledger activities, confirm reconciliations from the payable, payroll, incomes to receivable accounts, correct accounting entries when needed;

·        Maintain control over countries budget, planning and indirect cost recovery: review countries expenditures and forecasts, review grant documents and confirm its adherences. Identify inconsistencies, non-compliance issues or funding gaps and provide countries with valuable recommendations and timely remedial actions;

·      Coordinate and approve external reporting and responses to donors with country offices: approve all donors budget proposals and financial reports prior to external submission;

·      Coordinate and support internal reporting (monthly accounts, BVA, yearend etc) and participate in the improvement of internal reporting templates and systems to improve value and efficiency;

·      Train and support downstream users in effective use of SUN System software and ensure proper application of software maintenance and security protocols;

·      Safeguard adequate cash flow across the countries: follow-up on donors’ disbursements, review countries cashflow forecast, authorize funds requests, alert on identified cashflow disruptions and orient managers on required actions for mitigation;

·       Review and approve procurements in their threshold of authority; check samples (invoices, cash counts, stock, asset registers etc..) and confirm that country offices are operating in line with accepted organizational procedures and practices;

·       Monitor country offices compliance with local government reporting and tax filing: review countries statutory register, orient managers on actions for any suspected breach or non-compliance. Ensure non-compliances are adequately reflected in the financial statements;

·       Facilitate the provision of information to external or internal auditors: maintain effective and secure financial records (electronic and paper) and ensure financial data of country offices are easily accessible, play an active role in implementation of audits recommendations;

·       Participate in recruitment and development of skilled staff with managerial and financial functions, travel to countries and deliver on site induction, orientation and mentoring, monitor and report on staff performances;

·       Assist field-based Finance Managers with the development, implementation, and monitoring of systems, policies and procedures adapted to local contexts.

Mandatory Requirements

·     At least ten years relevant work experience of direct accounting and finance experience with a minimum three years’ in NGO sector

·      Master’s in finance, business administration, management or economics with completed accountancy qualifications

·     Proficient in SUNSYSTEM, Q&A reporting tool and excel

·      Good working knowledge of main humanitarian donors regulations (USAID, ECHO, DFID etc)

·      Ability to manipulate large amount of data, high attention in details and accuracy

·      Ability to priorities and manage heavy workload and conflicting priorities

·      Ability to work as part of a team, to direct and supervise

·      Willingness and eligibility to travel to insecure countries

The working language of INSO is English, but bi-lingual English/French is preferred. 

Terms & Conditions: 

24-month contract with expected start date of 01 October 2018, €5,500 per month salary, 2 days of annual leave per month, monthly housing allowance (subject to eligibility conditions), global medical coverage & insurance. 

How to Apply:

Interested persons are requested to send the following to jobs@ngosafety.org  and ensure to reference‘INSO FC, OSO" in the subject line of your email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

·      Cover letter specifying how you meet the mandatory requirements, your motivation in applying and what you hope to bring to INSO (1-page maximum).

·      Up to date CV (5-page maximum).

Please do not send any additional information (certificates, other writing samples, etc.) and keep the total size of your application under 1MB.  

Applicants are screened on a rolling basis, so if you are interested please apply early as the position may close before the stated closing date