Finance Specialist at Danish Refugee Council

Finance Specialist at Danish Refugee Council – Danish Refugee Council Kenya Job Details

Overall purpose of the role: 

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The Finance Specialist role will be to provide specialized knowledge on finance and Compliance matters and acts as “Technical focal person” to Statutory and project audits. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities in all areas of finance, including budgeting and technical support to both finance and non-finance professionals and partners.

Key Responsibilities:
R1. Financial Management and Compliance:

• Support the review of the Financial Report and timely delivery of high-quality financial reports to donors and internal reports to colleagues in support of the Finance Manager.
• Collaborate with the Finance Manager on the monthly accounts and the BI transactions detailed Lists reconciliation to minimize the financial risk.
• Monitor the intercompany account closely and proceed with all booking to projects attaching all supporting documentation from HQ Accountant and business controller.
• Assist the Finance Manager in reviewing adjusting transactions request i.e. re-bookings.
• Responsible for follow-up on major bugs in the system Dynamics for the country, especially the journals posted by the finance team before final approvals, monitoring of advances collected through the system and ensuring that they are liquidated adequately within the required timelines.
• Ensure that the accounts codes, expense category and all transactions financial dimensions are accurately used to avoid mix-ups in reconciliation and master budget data.
• Close attention and support for Month End Reconciliation (MER) accounts to ensure that they are monthly reconciled
• Participate in the Finance-Grants Meeting and follow up with the pending Compliance items to be completed
• Be the focal point person for the Master budget, meaning updating this in consultation with finance manager and HOSS, presenting this on a quarterly basis and ensuring it is constantly updated.
• Responsible and ensure on-time creation of project set-up in the DRC ERP System called Dynamics, budget forecast, and/or budget modification.
• Support in partners financial reports review and provide training to partners on budget preparation 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 requirements
• Responsible for regular quality check of payment requests/ financial documents prior to payment and providing colleagues with clear feedback / guidance on improvement of systems

R2. Support to the Audit processes:

• Support the preparation and consolidation of the project and Statutory audit files and schedules on the Share drive.
• Coordinate the retrieval and sharing of supporting documents to auditors during audit exercise and ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Coordination staff and HQ
• Follow up on the implementation of the recommendations against the issues raised in the management letter for every audit.

R3. Capacity-Building:

• To advise on and promote understanding and application of DRC policies, procedures, and principles as well as other donor compliance finance matters.
• Support the development and implementation of financial management capacity building of staff, both finance and non-finance professionals.
• Advice staff and Management on the new emerging issues from the dynamic operating environment such as changes in International Accounting & Reporting standards, the Finance Bill/Act, PBO Act, among others, that may affect financial reporting
• Prepare presentations and staff sensitization meetings as a follow up to audit observations and recommendations

NB: The responsibilities listed in the Job Description are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according 

Experience and technical competencies:  

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel and accounting systems.
• advance knowledge in accounting and financial skills.
• Stable and robust character.
• Experience with international institutions and knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting
• Proven Management and supervision skills, team player and proven commitment to accountability practices.

Education:

• Degree in Finance or Accounting.
• 5 years’ work experience in finance or accounting
• 4 years in NGO work experience
• Experience in an ERP system is an advantage.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English
• Advanced level in Swahili