Senior Finance Officer

About Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world. 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 (CBP, PSN, GBV, CP and Legal), Shelter and infrastructure, and Economic Recovery.

Overall purpose of the role:

This is a senior Finance position for an experienced person with the ability to look at the bigger picture while being able to deliver hands-on results. In support of the Finance Manager, the Area based SMT and the Area Manager support the DRC operations within Tanzania (Kigoma region) with a key focus on the Accountancy including assessing the reliability of the financial control systems as a whole. This position identifies and implements measures needed to ensure that the financial systems are functioning at the desired levels of efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and compliance.

This role has an area office focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines set at HQ and Regional Office levels and within the country, as well as compliance with relevant Tanzania Laws and regulations (NSSF, Taxation, Labour Law). The role contributes to the development of strategies, which are translated into SOPs. The role subsequently ensures compliance with these SOPs. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations.

Main Responsibilities:

• Review and validation of financial records for compliance with DRC’s Operations Handbook and donor policies and procedures for all support units (supply chain, HR, finance, and admin).
• Lead the process of submitting Financial Statements on an annual basis, liaising with the audit firm and RO/HQ to ensure All information is accurate, complete and in full compliance with Tanzanian rules and regulations.
• Implement recommendations of the tax compliance self-check to ensure full compliance with Tanzanian Law.
• Build capacity of Finance/programmes on compliance issues and audit findings
• Build capacity and understanding of partners to ensure financial compliance and rigour.
• Working with Grant, support the financial vetting of CSO potential partners.
• Serve as the focal point for project specific external audits and follow up on audit recommendations.
• Ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Coordination staff and HQ is available.
• Serve as focal point for local partners, review financial report and provide training to partners on budget Preparation, budget management/follow up and financial reporting…
• Support the Finance Manager and Area Manager with development of SOPs and localized policies as needed based on identified gaps in organizational policies or based on local requirement.
• Coordinate and Conduct BFU review meetings with PMs, PCs and TLs every month and follow up on any BFU action points and work on BFU rebooking’s.
• Ensure all Finance actions for monthly BFU meetings are addressed on time before the next BFU meetings including rebooking.
• Ensure staff salary forecast on BFU’s is completed before BFU meetings and
• Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues including spending for all programs in the country, including co-funding, key variances and any remedial action any remedial action.
• Update BI reports reports on monthly basis and share with Project Managers, Team Leaders and Project Coordinators
• Update audit matrix regularly and follow up with Program staff and support staff on implementation of audit recommendation to ensure.
• Maintain continuous overview of salary allocation/coverage and keep management informed of any salary gaps identified in advance/unfunded position implementation is on track.
• Lead finance Kick-off and project close out meetings
• Creates partner monthly expense journal in dynamics on time and ensure release of partner instalment is done according to the instalment plan
• Communicate with partner all financial related findings and recommendations to improve financial systems, performance and compliance with donor
• Prepare monthly cash advance report every month on the 5th and follow up with staff to ensure staff advances are settled within the same month.
• Share financial data with Grants for Quarterly and annual NGO reports
• Work on resource scheduling for all staff, generate timesheets in dynamics and ensure staff salaries are proportionally apportioned to all projects
• Ensure compliance with country’s financial obligations such as taxes, statutory returns, annual Financial Statements and NGO report.
• Review payment vouchers and ensure accurate budget codes are used
• Post journals in dynamics
• Perform any other task as assigned by the Finance Manager

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• A Master’s Degree or advanced professional qualification in Finance or similar sector.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in compliance functions in the finance field at a similar level position.
• If not compliance related experience, at least 5 years working in Finance field (general).
• Experience working for a large INGO, with in depth knowledge of INGO rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Experience and expertise in the use of financial system software, preferably a Microsoft ERP system.
• Full professional proficiency in English and Kiswahili is required.

Reporting to: Finance Manager
Technical Line Manager: Head of Support Services (HOSS)
Unit/department: Support/Finance
Location: Kibondo

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB.