Country Finance Manager; Mission East

Based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The deadline for accepting applications is extended till 15 March.

You may be our new Country Finance Manager in Mission East, Tajikistan!

Mission East Emergency and Development (MEED) is an international relief and development organization working in crisis-affected countries in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. We deliver emergency relief during disasters as well as long-term development assistance.

Since the end of the civil war in 1997, MEED has helped thousands of people in Tajikistan’s rural communities with clean water and latrines, livelihoods training and help to better prepare for disasters. In addition, MEED strives to contribute to a world in which persons with disabilities fully exercise their rights. Our vision is an inclusive society, where all persons participate equally in the cultural, social, political and economic environment and no one is left behind. In Tajikistan, persons with disabilities living in poverty are amongst the most excluded groups in society. They are all at the centre of our work and they drive the change.

The Country Finance Manager will ensure that all financial functions in the country programme including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, grant financial management and compliance are done effectively and in a timely manner. The Country Finance Manager ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mission East’s internal policies and procedures and local Government regulations such as tax, social security. The Country Finance Manager directly manages and supervises the Finance staff at the Country Office and is technically supervising the Finance staff in Field Offices. This role also provides financial support to Program staff in budgets and budget status reports. The Country Finance Manager directly reports to Reginal Director and indirectly to Finance Director.

YOU WILL:

Financial Accounting, Management and Reporting:

Maintain internal financial procedures compatible with the country’s law, Mission East’s manual and donor requirements.
Ensure that proper financial procedures are adhered to and maintained at the Country Office (CO), in collaboration with Budget Holders and in compliance with Mission East rules and regulations.
In collaboration with the Program Managers/Head of Programs, work with and support Budget Holders in budget preparations, realignments, monitoring and follow ups.
Ensure day-to-day accounting functions, including regular cash verification, cash/bank reconciliation, monthly cashbooks closing, advances’ reconciliation, timely submission of accounts to HQ finance desk.
Ensure payments to suppliers and recurrent expenditures from the CO are made in a timely manner and authorization done as per Mission East authorization structure.
Gather information from the relevant Field Office (s)/Partners to consolidate budgets for project proposals according to projects’ needs and donor constraints; Propose sufficient programme and support budgets including Country program plans in close collaboration with the Regional Director.
Maintenance of the Country Operational Budget monthly and highlighting any foreseen gaps to the Regional Director for the gap management. Also responsible for dissemination of the same to the respective Field Office (s).
Ensure a controlled and smooth cash flow management process for Tajikistan Country Programme and ensuring all field Office (s) and partners have sufficient cashflow for operations.
Oversee the management of bank accounts in Tajikistan, as well as oversee Cash management and safe(s).

Team management and Capacity Development:

Works closely with the Regional Director to implement, improve and maintain financial management policies, systems, structures, and procedures within the Country Office
Update the Job descriptions of finance department staff when required.
Provide technical support to the Field offices-based finance staff and Partner's Finance staff as well as providing leadership to the finance staff in the Country Office.
Proactively identify and act upon capacity Building needs of Finance staff based in the Country Program / Partner’s office, providing training and other capacity-building where necessary to ensure that finance staff capacity is continuously developing.
Conduct on-the-job training for Budget Holders, guiding them through Budgeting, donor compliance and compliance to Mission East standards.
Conduct periodic monitoring visits to Mission East Field Office (s) and Partner’s Office for field teams’ support

Compliance and audit management

Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory laws, Mission East accounting manual/ operational handbook, SoPs developed at CO/ Field Office (FO) level and donor-specific guidelines.
Train support services and program teams over donor compliance rules and monitor compliance.
Focal person for financial reviews to ensure compliance with Mission East’s standards and practices.
Coordination with the CO and HQ over audit findings, develop and execute post-audit improvement plan.
Audit focal person for internal and external audits, conducted in the assigned field offices, this includes coordination with CO, field project teams and Partner’s office in gathering the required info for the auditors.
Developing audit register and track audit findings through program managers’ orientation over common issues
Ensure an ongoing, accurate both physical & digital data filing system for all Finance vouchers in the Country Office and relevant documentation in the program finance offices.
Ensure that reporting mechanisms are capable of providing early warning of budget variances so that amendments can be negotiated with donors in good time.
Ensure compliance with local law in the area of finance and taxes. Oversee the calculation and payment of tax and social insurance contributions.
Ensure that end-of-fiscal year reconciliation and financial reporting are completed for all project budgets.
Participate in the timely submission of donor-reporting requirements to assure that reports are submitted in a timely manner (in collaboration with BRX/HQ).

Program Development:

Participate in developing budgets and financial planning for new proposals and projects.
Conduct self-study for professional development in the arena of budgeting for program efficiency, data for decision-making, etc.

Technical Support to Partners/consortiums:

Work closely with Program Manager/ Head of Program and team for assessment, review, and selection.
Provide technical support on budget development, review, and finalization.
Review and validation of partners’ financial report
Provide capacity building on financial aspects, reporting, etc to Partners.

YOU HAVE:

Experience requirements:

At least 7 years of experience working with INGOs and in a senior financial management position. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in NGO accounting and finance as well as proven experience in financial management of medium to large scale country budgets.
Minimum 3 years of experience in team management.
Excellent communication skills.
Proven experience in managing large budgets and working experience with relevant donors (e.g., EU, DANIDA, UN, Foundations).
Prior experience of accounting for funds from international funders, including grant audits.
Prior experience of developing budgets and financial forecasts, monitoring and reporting.
Has worked with partner organizations on financial accountability, transparency, and capacity development.
Has an ability to deal with competing deadlines and deliver results.

Education, Knowledge and Skills requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance or Accounting (or related degree). Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
Certified Accountant Qualification coupled with 7 years’ relevant experience will be considered in lieu of bachelor’s degree or Professional accounting/finance qualification from an internationally recognized accounting body.
Proven record of staff capacity building and staff management (in supervision, delegation, and training).
Experience with accounting management software, systems and practices.
Excellent project management and report writing skills.
Computer literate with practical experience in Windows and Microsoft software applications.
Fluency in Tajik and Russian language required; English language proficiency is strongly preferred.

Personal qualities:

Analytical personality and has excellent problem-solving skills.
Personnel management skills. Ability to delegate, follow-up and supervise as well as support.
Positive attitude and has sympathy with Mission Easts’ organisational values.
Good distance communication skills.

APPLICATION:

You can send your cover letter and CV to jobs.taj@missioneast.org before 15th March 2024. The interview will be conducted on a rolling basis. For further information on MEED please take a look at our website: www.missioneast.org

All staff are required to sign MEED’s Code ofConduct and Child Safeguarding Commitment.
MEED upholds high standards in Counter Terrorism (COTER) andsanctions regulation compliance.
MEED will conduct a thorough pre-employment background check of successful candidates, including checking through the SDN sanctions lists.