Finance Assistant – Maroua, Cameroon At Danish Refugee Council

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) assists refugees and displaced people worldwide: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organisation with over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral and independent non-denominational aid organisation.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all displaced people in the world. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty and transparency.

1. Background

Led by the regional office in Dakar and closely linked to interventions in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began operations in Cameroon in 2018, responding to the humanitarian needs of CAR refugees and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Adamawa region. Currently, DRC operates a main office in Meiganga and two sub-offices in Djohong (Adamaoua region) and Garoua-Boulai (East region). In early 2019, DRC also initiated operations in the South-West region to provide assistance that meets the basic needs of populations in terms of food, shelter and protection in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In 2023, DRC initiated an intervention in the Logone-et-Chari department in the Far North with the priority of seeking solutions to the root causes of inter-communal conflicts through programming on peacebuilding and resilience. DRC works with various local partners in Cameroon and is gradually increasing its financial support to Cameroonian civil society organizations. In 2024, DRC expanded its interventions in the Mayo Tsanaga Department in coordination with other humanitarian actors for a livelihood response for the most vulnerable refugees in the Minawao camp.

2. Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Admin/Finance Team Leader, the Finance Assistant is responsible for preparing payments (cash, bank check and bank transfer) from suppliers as well as professional advances from DRC employees. He/she manages the cash register during the latter’s opening hours. He/she records cash register and bank movements daily in Dynamics and attaches accounting supporting documents. He/she contributes to the production of financial reports and ensures the archiving of accounting documents and actively participates in the preparation of financial audits.

3. Responsibilities

Main responsibilities

A/PAYMENT MANAGEMENT

• Receive and verify payment requests;
• Ensure that files comply with DRC procedures;
• Prepare e-banking operations for validation by authorized persons;
• Prepare transfer orders and have them signed;
• Prepare bank checks and have them signed;
• Submit the signed transfer orders against receipt to the bank;
• Contact suppliers for payment delivery (cash or checks) during payment hours (Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.);
• Obtain check remittance releases from suppliers.

B/FUND MANAGEMENT

• Check payment requests sent by the logistics department for all supplier payments in cash (check validation by the budget manager);
• Anticipate cash payments from suppliers during cash register opening hours;
• Prepare DRC employee professional advances for payment during cash desk hours;
• Close professional advances using DRC formats (professional advance request, professional advance closure);
• Complete the professional advances tracking table;
• Prepare cash supply requests to ensure that the balance is always sufficient to cover expenses (request validated by the finance/administration team leader);
• Perform daily reconciliation of cash inventory and balance in Dynamics;
• Communicate any cash discrepancies to the Admin/Finance team leader;
• Communicate any suspicious and/or non-compliant expenditure with DRC accounting and financial procedures to the finance/administration team leader and/or area manager;
• Perform a weekly (weekend) cash reconciliation signed by the finance/administration team leader.

C/ACCOUNTING ENTRY IN DYNAMICS

• Respect the weekly and monthly closing deadlines for accounting journals communicated by the finance/administration team leader;
• Enter daily cash and bank movements (debit and credit) in Dynamics;
• Scan all financial documents justifying cash and bank movements;
• Upload (attach) accounting supporting documents daily into Dynamics;
• Carry out the weekly closing of the accounting under the supervision of the finance/administration team leader and the area manager;
• Enter the charges to be distributed based on the Excel file sent by the finance/administration team leader.

D/ARCHIVING OF ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS (Cash and Bank)

• Archive all accounting documents using the Dynamics Voucher number;
• Ensure that archiving is done daily and meets DRC requirement criteria.

E/PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL AUDITS

• Preparation of all accounting documents requested by the auditors;
• Carry out an initial check of these accounting documents and communicate any problems to the finance/administration team leader.

4. Required qualifications

A/ Qualifications

• Bac + 2 minimum in the fields of accounting, finance or management.
• Have relevant knowledge in cash management;
• Good knowledge of Word, Excel and accounting software;
• Have good classification skills;
• Have very good communication skills, be flexible and able to work under pressure;
• Enjoy meticulous work and have a concern for quality.

B/ Experiences

Minimum 1 year of experience in an accounting department of an international NGO

C/Personal Qualities

• Rigorous;
• Honest ;
• Discreet ;
• Organized;
• Be able to work under pressure at a high pace;
• Strong understanding of humanitarian engagement.

D/Languages

• Fluency in spoken and written French.
• Intermediate level of spoken and written English.

5. General regulations

• The employee must follow DRC’s instructions regarding security, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Responsibility Framework
• The employee must not carry out any other paid activity during the duration of the DRC contract without prior authorization.
• The Employee shall not engage in any activity that may be detrimental to DRC or the implementation of any project during the term of the DRC contract.
• The employee must not give interviews to the media or publish photos related to DRC programs or share other materials without receiving prior authorization.
• The employee must return all equipment loaned by DRC to perform the work after the end of the contract period or upon request by DRC.

6. Skills and qualities required

• In this role, you must demonstrate the five essential DRC skills, namely:
  • Striving for Excellence: You focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
  • Collaborate: You cooperate with and engage stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
  • Taking the Lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work based on DRC’s overall vision and goals. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and seek innovative solutions.
  • Communicate: You write and speak effectively and honestly while adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and involve them in dialogue.
  • Demonstrate Integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values ​​and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attention and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work in a team and good sense of humor