Project Accountant

Position:          Project Accountant                              
REPORTS TO:   Project Coordinator
LOCATION: Ilala District, Dar es Salaam        

Youth Alive Movement (YAM) is an NGO working under the umbrella of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar-Es-Salaam. YAM is a registered NGO under the ordinance of trustees of the revised law of Tanzania Cap.375. Its Mission is to help people in crisis cope with difficult situations in a participatory manner. She believes in community participation and empowerment inclusive investing in education to (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) OVC/CABA (Children Affected by AIDS).  In order to fulfill her mission, Youth Alive Movement provides Home based care, Counseling service, OVC Psychosocial Support, peer education, EDC (Radio Education Program to OVC), outreaches and facilitating various Youth seminars and workshops. Youth Alive Movement with its OVC Program is currently operates in ILALA District.

Youth Alive Movement is looking for an Accountant who will assist the Project Coordinator on all matters pertaining to YAM-Pamoja Tuwalee Project in Ilala District, this includes but not limited to; provision of technical assistance to Organization’ advances and liquidations while ensuring existence of best financial management practices which are in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), YAM policies and procedures as well as donor guides and other requirements

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Systems Management:
1. Provide technical assistance to the program team as needed to strengthen Financial Management Systems.
2. Project Financial Management Systems review, internal control systems and financial management practices

Planning & Budget Administration:
1. Participate in the development of Organization budgets and ensure that they are accurate before final approval.
2. Ensure that project expenses are booked only against valid budget.
3. Ensure that Organization remains within budget flexibility and total obligated amount, and promptly report overspending per line item to the Program Coordinator.
4. Ensure staffs receive advances as outlined in the signed agreement and as per YAM finance policy and make sure no advances are given in the last month of a project year. This will involve review of project advances to ensure that, no advances are issued above the budgeted amount(s).
5. Maintain a file containing copies of donors’ agreements.

Grants management:
1. Timely processing of advances for staffs.
2. Ensure integrity and quality of Organization submitted data, processing of advances and liquidations for accurate reporting and information sharing.
3. Ensure that Organization financial reports are prepared accurately and sent on an approved template to Donor indicating accepted expenses and support documents needed. In addition, all reported expenses must be allowable per the donor regulations and other underlying requirements.
4. Monitor currency exchange rates and alert the Organization management if unusual or unexpected changes occur and impact on Project budgets.
5. Participate in grant closure activities at Organization level with the respective project office/grant manager and ensure that expired grants are fully closed out within 15 days limit and final reports are submitted within 30 days to YAM Management.

Processing of Transactions and Other Finance Duties:
1. Review advances for project staff, enforcing internal controls for all payments
2. Monitor cash balances of YAM PT project and ensure availability of cash to meet project needs per approved forecasts.
3. Prepare journal vouchers for all project transactions, accurately and on time.
4. Prepare cash forecast for the project activities.
5. Prepare System and Q&A transactions reports upon request.

Reporting:
1. Support the process of preparing donor reports for YAM/Pamoja Tuwalee Project
2. Prepare and submit trip report identifying major issues for follow-up and recommendations, follow-up on the matters raised and close them.
3. Ensure PT available financial system data matches partners’ records, resolve differences on a monthly basis.
4. Submit reconciliation report should be sent to the Project Coordinator /Regional Grants officer – Projects for review on a monthly basis.


Risk management:
1. As a basis for risk management, ensure that the Organization financial policies and procedures are followed and donors’ and other underlying requirements are met to standards by the Project.
2. Closely monitor inventory records to ensure that assets are fully recorded and updated, and that disposal meets donor requirements.
3. Report immediately and in writing any noted risks at that level and submit such reports to the PT –Grants Officer

Qualifications:
1. University Degree/Diploma in Accounting/Finance/ Economics or Business Management
2. A minimum of 1-2 years’ experience in Accounting and or Finance management;
3. Familiar with Microsoft excel, spreadsheet, and other office tools
4. Effective written and oral communication; able to speak and write with a very high standard of English.
5. Honest, encourages openness and transparency.
6. Understanding and commitment to the principles of child rights and child protection.
7. Experience working with donor funded projects is an added advantage.

If you feel that you are able to meet the requirements and you are motivated enough to be part of the team, please send your applications indicating your referees, day time telephone before 16.00 working hrs on 12 September 2014 directed to Project Coordinator and send to  yampamojatuwalee@yahoo.com

NB. Position should appear on subject address, only short listed candidate will be contacted

The Organization provides equal employment opportunities regardless of age, race, gender, religion or disability.