Job Vacancy at the Danish Refugee Council ( DRC )

DRC has been implementing emergency response projects in Tanzania since the onset of the Burundi refugee crisis in 2015 in three refugee camps in the Kigoma Region at the border with Burundi. DRC’s integrated projects for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities comprise sectors such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter and infrastructure, General Food Distribution (GFD) and Livelihoods. In 2018 the office in Bujumbura, Burundi in 2018 was set up aimed at strengthening cross border responses and enhance the impact of interventions in support of Burundian returnees.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Finance Officer
Band: Employment band: H
Reporting to: Finance Manager
Technical line manager: Finance Manager
Direct reports: No direct reports
Unit/department: Finance Department
Location: Kibondo, Tanzania

Overall purpose of the role:
Under the supervision of the Finance Manger, the Finance Assistant provides financial and administrative support to DRC and partners as per DRC and donor regulations and procedures within the Country operations in Tanzania and Burundi. The Finance Assistant contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The Finance Assistant provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Responsibilities:
Finance and accounting
• Day to day activities in finance department.
• Posting expenses, journals, cash advances, import salaries, in DRC Dynamics on time and ensure are of high quality, supporting documents are complete and are in accordance with DRC financial procedures and regulations before uploading into Dynamics.
• Ensure compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines.
• Assist in implementation of finance policies, procedures and systems.
• Prepare cash transfer request and send to HQ.
• Update the Finance Manager on the cash needs required to run Program Activities.
• Prepare Salary Journals every month and post in dynamics.
• Ensure there is enough Cash to run program activities.
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the Finance Manager informed on all situations which might have the potential negative impact on internal controls of financial performance.
• Ensure that the authorized bank signatory list and bank information forms are regularly updated and photocopies are kept on files.
• Examine and evaluate financial information system, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
• Make recommendations regarding improving operations and financial position of DRC.
• Ensure tax and all other statutory payments are made every month before deadline.
• Ensure payments of incentive workers are made on time.
• Record accounts payable and accounts receivables in Dynamics.
• Correctly use DRC Dynamics functionalities in area of concern
• Monitor and reconcile balance accounts on Monthly basis and make sure any outstanding balance has a clear justification.
• Prepare and participate in donor verifications and annual audits.
• Work on Month End Closure File every month.
• Follow up with staff to ensure that all staff advances are settled within the same month.
• Assist the Finance Manager in other areas as required.

Budgeting & Reporting
• Support financial report preparations of Monthly, Quarterly, annually and or per the Donor rules, ensuring that they are complete, accurate and they produced on a timely basis to ensure adequate review, approval and submission to the grants unit.
• Support the development of new proposals with financial information for budgeting.
• Work Closely with Finance Manager to develop and Monitor Master and Grant Budgets and budget amendments.
• Ensure all Finance actions for monthly BFU meetings are addressed on time before the next BFU meetings including rebooking.

Experience and technical competencies:
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience
• Experience with carrying out admin tasks
• Good communication skills
• Advanced proficiency in Excel
• Basic proficiency in PowerPoint and Word
• Well-developed organizational and planning skills in order to meet deadlines
• NGO experience
• Advanced English proficiency
• Fluency in Swahili

Education:
• Advance Diploma in Accountancy, BBA or equivalent professional qualification

Languages:
• English (Fluent, written and spoken)
• Swahili (Fluent, written and spoken)

Key stakeholders:
Internal
• Finance staff
• Program Managers
• Human Resources
• Procurement and Logistics
• Area Manager Tanzania
• Area Manager Burundi
• HOSS Tanzania/Burundi
• Country Director Tanzania/Burundi
• Regional Office/Head Quarters

External
• Donors
• Local Auditor company in Tanzania
• Local TAX authorities in Tanzania
• NNB Bank

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:
• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Core competencies Basic Advanced Expert
Striving for excellence ☐ ☒ ☐
Collaborating ☐ ☒ ☐
Taking the lead ☐ ☒ ☐
Communicating ☐ ☒ ☐
Demonstrating integrity ☐ ☒ ☐

• Basic: I master the essentials, but may at times need help from others
• Advanced: I can work independently at full professional level.
• Expert: I am the go-to person when others need help.