Advertisement for Finance Officer based in Mogadishu – Somalia-National Position (1 Position)

Position Title: Finance Officer

Reporting to: Senior Finance Coordinator

Duty Station: Mogadishu-Somalia

Position Status: locally hired position-National

Area of Operation: Somalia

Employment period: Starting in Sept 2024, 10 months with the possibility of extension

Background:

FCA works to enable people to break the circle of poverty and violence. We are a rights-based actor, a Finnish organization with 70 years of experience, with operations in 15 countries. FCA is Finland’s largest NGO in development cooperation and second largest provider of disaster relief. Our action is guided by international human rights standards and principles. We realize our mission and vision through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and advocacy work. We contribute to positive change by supporting people in the most vulnerable situations within fragile and disaster-affected areas. We consider three thematic areas as central to sustainable change: the right to peace (R2P), livelihood (R2L) and quality education (R2QE).

In Somalia FCA has been working under a right to peace thematic areas since 2008 including governance and reconciliation projects and later has expanded in quality education (R2QE) thematic area.

Primary purpose of the position:

Under the supervision of the senior finance coordinator, the project finance officer is responsible for the day-to-day task management of the SSF III project. This role requires multitasking across a range of responsibilities, including working closely with the Finance Manager, Project Manager, other program and support teams, and relevant staff to ensure that relevant duties are well coordinated and managed in a timely manner.

Main finance tasks:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial forecasts and reports as per SSF donor requirements, ensuring accuracy and timely submission for adequate review and approval.
• Ensure the donor’s grant management system is updated quarterly with project financial information.
• Review accounting transactions, including coding of payment vouchers.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly.
• Undertake monthly closing procedures, including reconciliations of the bank, petty cash, and advances monthly.
• Prepare monthly budget follow-up reports and ensure the Project Team has a good understanding of spending progress and any other matters arising from the report.

Partner Coordination and Documentation

• Set up financial templates for partners to report on.
• Manage and monitor partner expenses versus the project budget, highlighting variances.
• Review monthly and quarterly project and partners’ financial reports, ensuring completeness and accuracy for consolidation and submission.
• Coordinate project budget monthly review meetings in consultation with the Program team and Finance Manager.
• Maintain the financial filing system for all project documents.
• In cooperation with relevant program or support staff, ensure accurate documentation for monthly payment of bills for services, employment, and lease contracts.
• Ensure all project staff advances are cleared with complete supporting documents.
• Review and compute all project travel claims and impress accounts, verifying the authenticity of supporting documents.

Payment Processing and Audit Support

• Check and review all project documents submitted for payment before line managers and related staff approve and prepare for payment.
• Process and make payments via bank or cash, as necessary, following the approved budget and ensuring proper authorization and documentation for all disbursements.
• Assist the Senior Finance Coordinator/Manager in facilitating internal and external audit procedures as required.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager as needed.

Experience:

• University bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 3 years working experience in accounting and administration
• Knowledge and experience of working on accounting software ERP systems. Knowledge of Unit4 is an added advantage.
• Previous experience working in INGOs
• Ability to analyze payment documents before processing
• Detail-oriented, accountability, task-prioritizing skills
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Ability to establish relationships with other relevant stakeholders instantly and easily
• Problem-solving skills
• Fluency in English
• Flexibility for travelling when needed
• Confident in security and safety management
• Ability to work under pressure, demanding and stressful environment
• Cultural sensitivity and inter-cultural communication skills

FCA practices zero tolerance against concerning aid diversion and illegal actions and may screen [contractor/external party name] (i.e. applicants, contracts, suppliers, consultants, etc.) against international lists to ensure due diligence and compliance with Anti-money laundering and Combating the Financing of terrorism requirements). FCA’s Child Safeguarding Policy applies to all FCA staff.