WEWORLD – Country Finance Manager – Afghanistan

WeWorld sta selezionando un/a Country Finance Manager da inserire nella sua operatività in Afghanistan . Scadenza candidature 21/03/2023

Position: Country Finance Manager Afghanistan

Reporting Relationship: Head of Regional Unit

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Deadline: 21/03/2023

Starting date: ASAP

Type of contract: a first 3 (three) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Head of Regional Unit and Head of International Programmes Department); a second collaboration contract of 9 (nine) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first three months of contract (according to fund availability)

Gross Salary: to be defined according to the candidate’s profile and WeWorld salary scale

General Description

WeWorld is an independent Italian organization that has been working in international cooperation and humanitarian aid for 50 years. It supports people in overcoming emergencies, and it strives to guarantee that everyone can have a decent and dignified life as well as opportunities and a better future. WeWorld works in 27 countries around the world, including in Italy, with more than 120 emergency, humanitarian aid and development projects. Its activities mainly involve women, girls and young people, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world. The organization operates in several natural and man-made crisis in various regions of the world. The emergency response, coordinated by the Humanitarian Aid Unit, is composed by multi-sectorial interventions comprising of WASH, EiE, CVA, Food Security, Protection, and others. The organization operates also in protracted crisis with provision of humanitarian aid through a prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation approach.

Working context

WeWorld dated back is presence in Afghanistan in 2002 when, in Kabul, it started to support orphanages; in 2008 WeWorld established his operational base in Herat Province. For around 15 years WeWorld has managed humanitarian and development projects in Herat region mainly funded by the UN and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

From 2018 to 2020 WeWorld has suspended its direct implemented programmes in Afghanistan, while keeping contacts with its former staff in the field and collaboration with local partners.

The summer of 2021 saw collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, following the withdrawal of the U.S. led coalition forces and the capture of Kabul by the Taliban. The economy has drastically shrunk by 40%, partly as a result of the collapse of the financial system that has prevented much-needed cash from entering and sustaining the country. As such, the livelihoods of many families have been lost and households struggle to pay for food, water, rent, electricity and other basic necessities. The last events in 2022 related to the shrinking of the humanitarian space from the authorities and the cholera outbreak further increased the needs of vulnerable population.

As a result of the a.m. crisis, WeWorld reactivated its programs and a first response plan has been developed together with RRAA, a well-established local NGO with whom WeWorld collaborated in the past.

WeWorld on-going programme is focused on Cash for Food addressing the needs of women headed families in Heart Governorate and assessment are on-going for responses in other sectors.

Purpose of the Role

The Country Finance Manager acts in the Role of Senior Finance Officer in a Country Role. Is responsible of all the administrative and accounting processes, including financial reporting, budget planning, development and monitoring. Manages field office staff.

MAIN FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

General Administration

Track and manage deliverables and timelines related to grants, contracts, vendors, and partners.
Monitor grant administration to ensure compliance with reporting and expenditure requirements.
Supervise compliance of administrative documents and their proper filing.
Ensure the smooth flow of administrative information and data to the HQ.
Supervise flow of administrative information from project partners and the compliance with MoU. Supervise administrative and finance local personnel to complete routine tasks
Follow-up payments from donors and financial project close, coordinate the country fund transfer request with the regional finance manager.
Participate in inter-admin meetings with other INGOs and NGOs in coordination with the Country Representative

Accounting

Supervise and approve regular accounting, including monthly reconciliations, monthly and yearly closing of accounts, monthly journal entries.
Supervise cash and bank balance checking process when closing the monthly accounts.

Financial Reporting

Is responsible for the preparation of financial reports, in coordination with Regional Finance Manager, and administrative team.
Ensure the compliance of financial reports with donors and internal rules and procedures

Budget & Planning

Collaborate with the Country Representative and Programs/Project Managers to develop budgets according to donors regulations.
Review administrative/financial terms of grant contracts before signature (payment & financial reporting schedule, etc.).
Collaborate with the Project Managers and Procurement & Logistics Managers to monitor actual and forecasted expenses against budget to avoid under and overspending on the projects; comply to the flexibility rule.
Monitor financial flows of the projects.
Anticipate financial risks, present budget updates and mitigation plans and report them to the Country Representative.
Coordinate the preparation and constantly monitor/update of core budget of WeWorld for Afghanistan and provide an analysis to the Country Representatives focusing on gaps and risks.
Participate with the Country Management Team in reflecting on the evolution of the mission, and the programming of new projects and/or reorientation.

Audit Process

Collaborate to the management of financial audit performed on the projects.
Supervise yearly financial audit on general accounting for local authorities.
Prepare information and is directly responsible for any assessment/audit performed by donor on WeWorld administrative procedure.

Procurement

Verify the entire procurement process (Tender dossier, evaluation, contract) before requesting the approval to the relevant team (at local level or HQ level) as indicated in the Local Operational Manual and internal Procurement SOP
Ensure the updates of procurement plan in collaboration with the Procurement focal point
Verifies that projects’ procurement dossier are complete and WW/Donor guidelines are respected
Supervise the correct archiving of procurement files

Procedure

Design and implement administrative routines, procedures, and systems to increase efficiencies.
Updated the Local Operational Manual for both missions based on WeWorld procedures to implement organizational policies, including those related to HR management.
Ensure the monitoring of the mission registration procedures with the authorities concerned and the various State services.

Human Resources

Participate in analyzing staffing needs & costs, compensation & benefits, and performance review practices.
Supervise compliance with all WeWorld employment regulations relating to National Staff payroll, health insurance, work insurance, employee benefits.
Ensure all National Staff have valid contracts, updated and signed Terms of Reference.
Support the Country Representative to monitor and revise salary scale if necessary, as well as supervising staff leaves, holidays, overtime and contractual obligations.
Take the lead in recruitment of National Support Staff ensuring the respect of national procedures

Job Specifications

Essential Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Financial/Accounting management.
Knowledge of institutional donor procedures (AICS, EU, UN agencies etc.).
Fluent in English both written and verbal

Professional experience

At least 3 years of specific experience in finance/administrative positions in the international cooperation sector and/or implementing humanitarian aid projects
Experience in budget management and monitoring of procurement procedures.
Experience in using accounting software.

Skills and Abilities

Strong flexibility and capacity to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation.
Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention/resolution.
Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues.
Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers / leaders.
Good communication, negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with local institutions on critical issues.
Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Strong commitment to the Mission of We World, genuine interest for international cooperation development topics.

Desirable Requirements

Previous work experience in the area
Fluent in Italian, both written and oral
Experience with implementation of humanitarian aid projects

HOW TO APPLY

Send CV and Cover Letter to the official link.

WeWorld is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law. WeWorld has also a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a child or a vulnerable adult by any of our staff, related persons or partners. Safeguarding checks are part of the selection process.

WeWorld commitment to being a safe organization begins with the staff recruitment process which includes meticulous checks, such as criminal records checks or check disclosure of previous convictions, to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. WeWorld promotes a welcoming, diverse and discrimination- and harassment-free workplace and expects the highest standards of behaviour from all its staff, who are requested to adhere to the principles and behavioural rules defined in the CoEC and the Organisational Policies. The CoEC and all the internal policies can be found here: https://www.weworld.it/en/about-us/transparency”

Link: https://weworld.intervieweb.it/jobs/country-finance-manager-afghanistan-346292/it/