Senior Finance Officer

Employer: Diakonia Lebanon/ Country Office in Beirut
The post holder will report to: Country Manager
Place of employment: Country Office, Beirut, Lebanon

The Senior Finance Officer supports all programs based in the Lebanon Country Office in financial management, reporting and auditing.    

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for the accounting, reconciliation, closing of the books, the office budget and the pay role, financial reporting, payments, internal financial control, develop program budgets, assess partner’s budgets, support and coach partners in financial management, manage audits and assess partner’s audits compliance and follow-up.

A- Office Financial Management  

• Manage the office budget including preparing, planning, compiling and monitoring the Office Budget.
• Maintain proper books of accounts.
• Ensure efficient payments and disbursements according to approved policy and procedures.
• Ensure timely submission of Monthly and Annual Financial Reports to the Country Manager and the RO.
• Prepare financial reports to Diakonia’s Regional and Head Offices and Donors.
• Calculate and process staff costs including taxes, NSSF, pension, vacation days etc. in accordance with national legislation.
• Participate in procurement processes.
• Ensure robust internal control and compliance with national legislation and Diakonia’s policies and procedures.

B- Grant Management including International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Resource Desk

• Be responsible for financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and financial reporting of Diakonia’s programs in Lebanon, including the IHL Resource Desk, and ensure compliance with Diakonia’s PME handbook and donors’ requirements.
• Receive and assess partners’ budgets and financial reports and ensure compliance with grant agreements in collaboration with responsible Program Officers.
• Analyze program budget structures and monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with the PME Hand book requirements and donor requirements in collaboration with responsible Program Officers.
• Prepare in timely order financial reports for back donors in line with donors’ agreements and PME handbook requirements.
• Coach partners in financial and administrative organizational and competence development activities within the Partner Institutional Capacity strengthening Strategy in collaboration with the responsible Program Officer.
• Upload and file required documentation, i.e. disbursement receipts, financial reports, completed assessment tools and audited financial statements in Fix lT in accordance with Diakonia’s archive rules.
• To be responsible to prepare regular summary reports on progress of grants management to the Country Manager.

C- Audit Management including International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Program

• Procure audit services in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures.
• Be the main contact person for auditors.
• Manage audit assignments.
• Submit reports for management and statutory audits.
• Submit audited financial statements as per the required deadlines to relevant authorities.
• Upload the audit reports and management letters to Fix IT.
• Elaborate Terms of References for Program audits in compliance with back donors’ and Diakonia’s requirements.
• Receive and assess partners’ audited financial statements, including Management letters and Management Responses and ensure compliance of the audit process with PME Handbook requirements in collaboration with responsible Program Officers.
• Follow up on issues raised by auditors in partners’ Management Letters to ensure resolution.
• Follow up and ensure compliance with recommendations in office and program audits, including the IHL Resource Desk’s audit reports, management letters as well as related action plans.

D- Other

• To provide information and feedback for different needs to Diakonia’s Regional and Head Offices in coordination with the Country Manager and responsible Program persons.
• Support in the mainstreaming of gender equality, conflict sensitivity and environment in the country office
• Participate in working groups and coordinate delegated processes in different areas for the country office.
• Conduct other tasks whenever requested or appointed by Country Manager.

Qualifications

• Academic degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or in other related filed.
• Solid experience of bookkeeping.
• Solid experience of financial management including payments, reconciliation, etc.
• Experience in program and project financial analysis and review, as well as preparing budgets and financial reports.
• Experience from financial, narrative and administrative handling of grants in development cooperation.
• Good planning and problem solving skills, ability to meet deadlines.
• Good knowledge of English and Arabic.
• Good writing and communication skills.