Finance Team Leader (Chief Accountant) At Danish Refugee Council

DRC established operational presence in Colombia in 2011 with focus on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and providing support to conflict-affected population in the south of the country. With the onset of the large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the Venezuelan crisis, DRC started up an integrated humanitarian response in 2018 to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities. Hence, DRC has been able to assist the Colombian population, Venezuelan refugees, migrants and host communities through its integrated humanitarian response.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Finance Team Leader (Chief Accountant) functions as the go-to person in accounting within the country. She/he has the overall responsibility for the accounting and closing dates. Providing overall advice, coordination and technical support to the Finance teams across the country and ensuring compliance with the finance chapter’s of DRC’s Operations Handbook and ensure accounting information quality.

Geographic scope: Country (Colombia)

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Responsibilities:

Support

• Support the development and implementation of financial management capacity building of staff.
• Provide technical support and advice to the Finance team.

Accounting

• Ensure the accounting information quality.
• Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies, statutory reports to DIAN and ESAL condition renewal.
• Ensure accounting closures are held on time and according to DRC’s policies and deadlines.
• Ensure cash counts are sent to HQ on time and are reconciled.
• Ensure bank statements and bank reconciliations are sent on time to HQ.
• Ensure cost allocation of salaries and timesheets are posted on time.
• Ensure month end closure report is sent on time.
• Ensure the presentation of Colombia Financial Statements and sign them.
• Ensure “electronic payroll” is reported on time.

Accounting Management

• In close cooperation with Managers in geographical area reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial and accounting management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, fiscal guidelines and donor requirements.
• Ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Coordination staff and HQ.
• Prepare for local audits.
• Identify training gaps among DRC / DDG finance staff.

Roles Reporting to this position: Finance Officers and Assistants

Reports to: Finance Manager

Required experience and competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ of practical experience in accounting management. International experience is a plus.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets and several bases.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities.
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g. UNHCR, IOM, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM guidelines)
• Advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Full professional proficiency in English

Education:

• University degree in Accounting, or equivalent professional qualifications and relevant work experience. Postgraduate in finance/accounting.
• The applicant must hold a valid local public accounting license.

What we offer:

• Commencement: Asap
• Salary: Between 6.000.000 to 6.700.000 Depending on the relevant experience.
• Duty station: Bogota, Colombia
• Contract length: Initially 6 months, renewable depending on funding and performance.
• Position Level: Band G – Manager
• Complementary health insurance (Colsanitas)