Finance Manager, World Learning, DAFI project

UNHCR’s tertiary education scholarship programme DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative), supports Syrian refugee students in Lebanon in accessing university studies. The primary objective of the DAFI Programme is to contribute to the promotion of self-reliance of these refugee men and women by providing them with a professional qualification geared towards future gainful employment.

The Programme aims to encourage the development of qualified human resources for the future reconstruction of refugees' home countries upon repatriation, thereby supporting greater peace and stability in the region. Higher education contributes to durable solutions and post-conflict reconstruction, promotes social, economic and gender equity and provides hope and empowerment to refugee communities. The Programme, implemented by World Learning Lebanon, will ensure smooth operations of day-to-day activities related to the management of the DAFI Programme, provision of support to students, as well as close coordination with key actors in the education and university sector.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets, financial reports, and projection of funding needs;
• Manage the project financial operations and financial reporting, and provide guidance and technical assistance to financial management personnel;
• Develop and implement accounting and reporting systems for project expenditures, and provide guidance and training to project staff and partners on financial procedures;
• Provide ongoing financial administration to the project, including the processing of approvals for procurements, consultant agreements, and vendor invoices;
• Ensure that project operations are in compliance with donor and World Learning policies and procedures;
• Manage the timely submission of financial reports and monthly field expenses;
• Manage and oversee all staff activities related to financial management and scholarship disbursements.
• Serve as the primary contact with the donor on finance, and administrative, participating in discussions on contract issues and actions, and following up on client requests and concerns;
• Coordinate regularly with the Finance Team at World Learning HQ, providing timely updates on finance matters;
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related field; Master’s preferred
• A minimum of 6 to 8 years of experience managing financial and contractual aspects for UN or other internationally funded  programs;
• Significant experience with project financial management, including financial controls, accounting, and audit, reporting, and expense validation and reimbursement for programs funded by UNHCR or other UN agencies;
• Ability to work across various teams with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build consensus and navigate complex operating environments, including demonstrated experience managing and supervising financial, administrative, and procurement personnel;
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with an emphasis on budget and financial analysis;
• Demonstrated understanding of United Nations regulations, and reporting requirements; experience with UNHCR preferred.
• Experience managing and implementing programs funded by UNHCR or other UN agencies desirable;
• Experience in a leadership position within a financial management team.
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills, with a professional level of verbal and written fluency in Arabic and English;
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.

World Learning is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/veterans/ADA employer, committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.