Administrative Accountant

World Concern International, a Christian Relief and Development Organization, wishes to recruit a qualified and competent person for the following position.

Position Title: Administrative Accountant

Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Contract Length: One Year Renewable Contract

Position overall objective: Oversee management of accounting information systems, validate system integrity and ensure timely production of reports and accounting information. Manage the Somalia office support functions ensuring coordination of logistics, supervision of office staff to provide effective support to field operations.

General Description of the Job

• Ensure that all financial transactions are processed in a timely manner in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and WCDO policies and procedures.
• Maintain an up-to-date record of all assets assigned to or procured by the Program.
• Lead the budget preparation process by providing technical support as proposals are being written or amended ensuring the budget caters for essential organizational costs.
• Ensure all expenditures are reasonable, allocable and allowable under the donor requirements.
• Monitor income and expenditures advising program staff (Program Manager and Country Director) on financial status of program(s)
• Monitor donor fund balances (TRR’s) advising PM and CD when program expenses are projected to overspend existing balances.
• Establish and maintain an efficient physical and electronic document filing system for all financial transactions, reports and other relevant information.
• Create and implement a system for gathering, storing and retrieving key program information required for annual audit compliance.
• Investigate and report on any issues raised from Nairobi office with regard to Financial Management.
• Provide regular, accurate reports on the program financial status to the Country Director, Program Manager and Nairobi as requested.
• Advice the Country Director on any matter arising that poses financial or organizational risk.
• Monitor cash flow, project cash needs and request transfer of funds from Nairobi to ensure smooth program operations.
• Oversee the cash handling procedures in the office to ensure they meet the needs of staff in the field and provide for the least amount of risk to people and the organization.
• Actively develop the capacity of National staff to take on increasing responsibility and improve quality in the area of finance and accounting.
• Coordinate all logistics for the program including but not limited to purchases, transportation, repair of vehicles, payment of recurrent bills etc., and ensuring sufficient separation of duties to promote organizational integrity.
• Ensure the office environment presents WCDO professional standards by being clean, secure and generally conducive for all staff to work in.
• Develop a schedule for and lead implementation of routine checking and maintenance of all facilities, equipment, furniture at all field locations
• Initiate and manage transport and tracking of national and field office staff, materials and assets in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Provide administrative support for human resources maintaining relevant staff personnel files, administering payroll, remittance of taxes or medical funds, coordinating leave schedules etc.
• Ensure staff complete and submit in a timely manner the monthly Personnel Activity Report (PAR). Review the PAR’s for accuracy and completeness. Maintain a system of expense allocation that is based on the PAR reports so that staff time is charged to the appropriate program or grant.
• Actively develop National staff by mentoring, delegating or recommending training which will grow their capacity to take on more responsibility and competently perform departmental functions in your absence.
• Complete any other activities that support office and field operations of the program.

Fundamental Expectations:

• Express the love of Christ in Word and Deed
• Respect for others.
• Ascribe to World Concern’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and Policies.
• Participate in staff meetings and team building forums
• Lead by example.
• Actively be involved in fostering a growing healthy spiritual environment among all staff
• Attitude of a servant leader desiring to build others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce Degree from a recognized University or related field with at least two years experience in a similar position. Alternatively, a CPAK/ACCA holder from a recognized institution with a minimum of three years experience in a similar position.
• Familiarity with not-for-profit Accounting systems will be required.
• Experience working with US Government grants. Working knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
• Above average functional knowledge of Excel and MS Office suit.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Experience working cross culturally
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili; both written and verbal

Working Environment and Conditions

• Basic office environment with periodic disruption of power, water, internet etc.
• Based in Hargeisa with R&R as per policy and travel to Regional Office as requested.
• Living arrangements are in a team house or guest house with basic accommodations.
• Working and living in a cross-cultural, sometimes unstable or insecure environment.
• Periodic travel to more remote field locations.
• A political, gender sensitive office setting.
• Limited access to medical facilities. Health and hygiene standards are often poor.
• Drug free environment including alcohol and tobacco.

Interested candidates are required to submit a letter of application indicating their suitability to this role, curriculum vitae and contacts of three referees to worldconcernhr@wcdro.org by Friday 15th July, 2011.

Only successful candidates will be contacted.