Accounting and Finance Manager At RET Germany e.V.

The Organisation

RET Germany e.V. is an independent, impartial, non-profit verein, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, since 2015; working with funding from the European governments and the European Commission, with field operations in Africa and Asia. (RETGermany.de)

RET is committed to working in emergencies, in protracted crises, and in fragile contexts to alleviate the deepest sufferings, build people’s resilience and enhance their self-reliance.

We believe we are amongst the leading NGOs to provide tailor-made solutions and relevant programs to bridge the gaps and respond to the real needs and challenges of the communities. We assume a decisive catalytic role in sustainable development. We aim to provoke significant positive change, enabling particularly vulnerable youth and young women to take control of their lives and fulfill their social and economic rights.

We stand with people, with refugees, returnees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), alongside the host communities adopting the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

The Role

Location

Berlin, Germany.

Reporting Line

As a key member of the Management Team, the Accounting and Finance Manager (AFM) will report to the Group Chief Finance Officer.

Position Type

This is a full time (100%) position with an employment contract of indefinite duration.

General Responsibilities

The AFM will assist the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) Administrative Centre Finance Managers (ACFM) in budgeting, fund management, and treasury management of the finances for all projects in EMEAA region and in reporting of all German Government, Other Governments funds, foundations funds, private donor funds and any other funds originating from the EMEAA region.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budgeting and Cash Management

· Budget development: Review and finalise, in collaboration with the ACFM and Area Directors (AD) the programmes’ proposed budgets and coordinate their submission in accordance with RET’s and donors’ requirements.

· In collaboration with HR and Operations, prepare the HQ budget to cover staffing, HQ operations and administrative expenses, as guided by the HQ Finance Manual, and ensure these are well reflected in the project budgets before submission.

· Budget management: Review programmes’ general budgets burn rates using relevant reports to identify unexpected/expected burn rate discrepancies and ensure that these are discussed and agreed rapidly.

· Treasury management: Ensure that there are enough funds available in the RET Germany’s treasury to execute the HQ and field operations as well as programme activities.

· External coordination: Coordinate and manage the overall relationship and transactions with the local financial institutions – banks, donors, etc

Accounting, IT and Reporting

· Obtain reports from ACFM on funds expenditures and review the main expense lines incurred in execution of RET’s projects to ensure these are allocated to the relevant programme correctly and in line with the RET ’s Field Finance Manual.

· Ensure there is written justification/policy in case of incompatibility between RET Germany’s Manual and any donors’ laws or regulations. This should be supported with external documentation: copy of regulations, reputed third parties’ reports, etc.

· Obtain and perform final review of donor reports, clarify any outstanding matters, ensure adherence of the reports to donor/management requirement. Insert any HQ incurred expenses into the report, and forward to GCFO for final review.

· Ensure that all HQ expenses are properly captured in the HQ accounting system on a monthly basis.

· Coordinate with the relevant fiduciary firms to manage the RET Germany payroll. Manage other regulatory matters with the relevant government institutions as may be applicable.

· Manage overall relationship with RET Germany institutional and donor auditors as may be applicable, and manage the relationship where audits are initiated at HQ level. Coordinate with the ACFM to obtain all the necessary information/documentation for such audit.

· Prepare comprehensive financial statements and present the same for review to the GCFO on a quarterly and yearly basis.

Others

· Attend any meeting or representation related to his/her areas of responsibility, and any meeting/event as required by the GCFO

· Coordinate with the ACFMs, and ADs on financial, administrative or management procedures

· Advise RET’s GCFO, ACFMs and ADs on any regulations that may have an impact on RET’s programmes and/or policies

· Take necessary steps to ensure that all financial data is adequately and safely backed up

· Perform any other work-related duties as required.

Qualifications Requirements

· Candidates must be Berlin based (or willing to relocate) and in possession of a valid work permit in Germany;

· Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field with minimum of 6 years of experience in non-profit financial management;

· Professional qualification in Accountancy (amtlich zugelassener Buch- und Rechnunsprüfer/in in Deutschland, corresponding to certificates such as CPA, ACCA, etc) highly preferred;

· Familiarity with German Accounting Standards; Extensive knowledge of computerized accounting systems, accounting software and Microsoft Office;

· Prior experience in managing grants and contracts required, including experience in the management of projects funded by the German government and ideally, other European governments also;

· Expertise with procedures required for adequate planning, monitoring, and re-aligning of complex budgets;

· Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with NGOs, private sector groups, cooperating agencies, and donor organizations.

Personal Attributes

· Personal Requirements: Communicative skills; Effectiveness and rigor in the management of processes, focusing on objectives

· Organisational skills including the ability to strategically prioritise and meet established goals

· Ability to work flexibly under difficult circumstances as well as good teamwork ability

· Team player attitude, with ability to also work independently with high integrity

· Proactive attitude and professionalism; attention to detail

· Languages: Fluent German and English a must.

· Ability to travel within the regions of RET Germany Operations when called upon