Regional Finance Controller – Eastern and Central Africa

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Regional Finance Controller – Eastern and Central Africa

Code: SR-00-9522

Duty station: Home based, with regular travels in the countries of operations (up to 51%)

Starting date: 01/11/2024

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Regional Finance Coordinator

Type of duty station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

INTERSOS is a humanitarian organisation founded in 1992, working on the frontlines of crisis situations. In its countries of operation, INTERSOS intervenes to assist the most vulnerable populations affected by conflicts, extreme poverty, natural and manmade disasters in challenging and hard-to-reach areas, where the humanitarian needs continue to be the greatest and where the humanitarian presence is often weak. In such contexts, INTERSOS focuses on providing forcibly displaced populations and host communities with life-saving humanitarian assistance, in the areas of Protection, Health & Nutrition, as well as WASH and Shelter.

INTERSOS operations are guided by its Code of Conduct and by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Every intervention is characterized by the centrality of the human being, the principle from which INTERSOS values descend. Specifically, INTERSOS is borderless, impartial, independent, sensitive to local cultures, attentive to local capacity, professional in solidarity, and transparent. INTERSOS also adheres to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

General purpose of the position

The Regional Finance Coordinator will be responsible for the quality of the accounting data. S/he will liaise with the Finance Coordinators at Mission level to verify and validating their output. Among his/her main tasks, the verification of regional accounting data, the consistency and correctness of donor reporting and other relevant operational tasks. The Region to which the incumbent will be assigned is Western Africa, which currently supervises Nigeria, Niger, Tchad, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Regional hub in Dakar (Senegal).

Main responsibilities and tasks

Accounting

• Review and check the accounting Journal of each Mission of the Region;
• Ensure accuracy of Regional accounting;
• Review country office receivables and payables balances to ensure appropriate and timely follow-up;
• Proactively implement the roll-out of the accounting software strategy in the relevant Missions;
• Provide the verified accounting data to HQ within the due deadlines ;
• Verify (and flag, whenever necessary) the correct upload of key grant documents (contract, amendments, financial reports, installments) on IMP;
• Guarantee the presence of the standard financial documents (bank statements, bank/cash reconciliation, cash counting) relating to the monthly accounting closure;
• Ensure Senior Management staff is aware of financial, accounting, and administrative issues that may impact country offices’ performance.

Donor Reporting

• Review financial reports before submission to the donors;
• Review and finalize closeouts for grants.

Operational tasks

• Temporary replacement (max 30 days) of the vacant position of Finance Coordinators of the assigned Region in case of unavailability of Roving Finance officers;
• Move to the Country office for technical induction of new deployed Finance Coordinators;

Staff Management

• Provide on-going advice and consultancy on financial and accounting issues to the Finance Coordinators.
• Following the Regional Finance Coordinator’s proposals, ensuring continuous efforts to train Finance Coordinators on accounting and reporting procedures, to increase the general quality of the accounting database across the Missions

Required profile and experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of similar experience in accounting related job with supervisory or managerial role.
• Proven experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Experience in regional positions is a plus

Professional Requirements

• Previous use of double-entry accounting software
• Proficiency in MS Excel
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Attitude to capacity building and constant feedback provision.

Languages

English and French languages are mandatory

Personal Requirements

• Committed to INTERSOS principles
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, flexibility