SOUTH SUDAN – FINANCE COORDINATOR (F/M) – JUBA At Solidarités International

Desired start date: 01/01/2025
Duration of the mission: 1 year
Location: Juba

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

About the mission

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL (SI) has been responding to humanitarian needs in South Sudan for over since 2006. In 2023, we will continue working alongside communities in some of the hardest to reach areas. SI provides clean water, sanitation and other lifesaving activities, while supporting vulnerable communities to strengthen their resilience to shocks, rebuild their livelihoods, and regain a sense of normality in some of the hardest of circumstances.

In 2022, the mission’s estimated budget is of USD 2,5+ million, and there are 50+ employees.

General objective:

The finance coordinator will direct and coordinate all administrative, accounting and financial services associated with the mission. As coordinator, he/she is responsible for guaranteeing the financial balance of the mission and for ensuring that all SI procedures, donor procedures and all laws of the country in which SI is intervening are respected.

He/she is the point of reference for the mission, and the link between HQ and the mission for all matters relating to management, accounting and budget monitoring. More specifically:

Analysis of the socio-economic context

Identify administrative partners and monitor the development of exchange rates and prices

Team management

• Work with administrators to define administrative personnel needs during the mission and recruit according to allocated resources and SI’s operational strategy
• Train and appraise the financial administrative team
• Coordinate, plan and supervise the activities of the financial administrative team
• Lead meetings for the financial administrative team

Financial, accounting and budgetary management

• Define the expenditure cycle and authorization thresholds and ensure compliance with the purchase validation cycle
• Consolidate the mission’s monthly closing accounts
• Verify the accounts before they are sent to headquarters
• Consolidate and check the Allocation boards
• Prepare, monitor and revise the mission’s financial programming
• Complete the consolidation of monthly Budget follow up and ensure that the mission remains financially stable
• Make connections between budgetary consumption and activity progress. Propose solutions if necessary
• Monitor the mission’s operating costs
• Train the mission’s senior staff in how to use the Budget Follow up
• Prepare and assist with possible audits or inspections
• Prepare and consolidate the financial sections of proposals
• Integrate the new donor contracts into the financial management of the mission’s projects, adhering to Solidarités International procedures

Administrative management of the mission

• Negotiate and draw up partnership contracts with local partners and ensure that they are followed and complied with
• Supervise paper and digital record-keeping, as well as ensuring the security of administrative documents
• Supervise the quarterly mailing of administrative archives to headquarters after validation of the Internal Control Department
• Select and contract a lawyer who will examine legal issues and limit any legal risks

Cash management

• Manage the cash flows between headquarters and the mission, and ensure that bases receive supplies
• Ensure that the cash box and coffers are well kept and that funds are secure at all bases
• Compile and monitor cash flow forecasts and forward them to headquarters

Reporting/communication

• Ensure regular financial reporting to HQ, on a schedule defined by the administrative calendar
• Ensure that SI’s in-country registration is followed up
• Organize and run information and coordination meetings
• Produce financial reports that are in line with financial donors’ administrative procedures
• Establish and maintain relationships with the administrative authorities at the national level. Carry out constant judicial monitoring, keep up-to-date with local employment laws, check information collected with law firms and insert it into SI

International’s documentation

• Take part in meetings relating to administrative aspects, represent SI when asked/delegated to do so
• Act as a link between HQ and field for all matters relating to finance

SI WILL OFFER YOU

According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 700.

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.

Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

SECURITY CONSTRAINTS:

Juba has security level 2 which represent a tense but moderate risk level. Nevetheless, selective incidents may trigger the implementation of enhanced security measures and thus reduced movements in town (see security plan)
Road blocks by regular army at night in some neighbourhoods
Curfew with different scope in different neighbourhoods: at 7 pm (outskirts); at 9 pm and 12 am (uppon approval by Country Director)
High inflation rate (devaluation of local currency & high prices) amid poor socio-economic situation in the country resulting high crime rate in Juba

LIVING CONDITIONS:

• Juba main base is composed of office premises & guesthouse premises
• Guesthouse premises has several bungalows whereby each of the bungalows has AC, cupboard, table, chair, bed with bednet, bathroom
• Guesthouse premises has tukul (hut with strow roof) equipped with satelite TV, treadmill
• Common kitchen equipped with fridges, toaster, micro wave, gas stove
• Safe room for hibernationa & confinement
• At night standby driver available for movements outside base (movement with vehicle is compulsory)
• Overnight at other UN or NGO bases with approval of Country Director
• Various shops, restaurants, bars, gyms etc,. available in safe neighbourhoods

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)
Line manager: Country Director
Line report(s) on base: immediate assistants
Functional manager: HQ RED Desk FIN Manager
Functional report(s): Coo (1 Accounting Assistants and 1 Finance Officer), Bases (2 Admin Managers)

Education / academic background:

Financial Management, Accountancy, Applied Informatics or other relevant domains

At least five years in the humanitarian sector and on a similar position.

Specific skills and experience:

Technical skills
1. Financial Reporting and Analysis: The ability to prepare accurate financial reports (such as for donors and internally, cash requests, cash flow statements) and re-allocate expenses to ensure adequate and compliant utilization of funds. This includes understanding financial ratios and donor rules, as well as utilizing experience and creativity for problem solving.

2. Budgeting and Forecasting: Proficiency in developing and managing budgets, as well as forecasting future financial performance. This involves analyzing past financial data to predict future income and expenditures, helping the organization plan its financial strategy and advise about relevant actions for the financial sustainability of the mission.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Accounting Principles: Knowledge of applicable financial regulations, standards, and accounting principles while ensuring all teams are complying with these regulations to avoid ineligible costs and maintain integrity.

Transversal skills

1. Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The capacity to adapt to rapidly changing situations and find innovative solutions to complex challenges. This is crucial in emergency response and development projects where unexpected issues and challenges frequently arise.

2. Cross-Cultural Communication: Proficiency in communicating effectively across different cultures and languages, which is vital in international WASH and shelter programs. This skill ensures respectful, efficient, and effective engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and team members from diverse backgrounds.

3. Leadership and Team Management: The ability to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team of professionals and volunteers. This includes motivating team members, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative working environment.

4. Leadership and Team Management: The ability to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team of professionals both locals and expats. This includes motivating team members, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative working environment.

Language: English mandatory

Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter!

Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline.

Thank you for your understanding.

To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org

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Solidarités International (SI) is committed to preventing and combating any type of abuse – any act of sexual exploitation, abuse and/or harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or its collaborators, harm to persons and/or property, fraud, corruption, undeclared conflict of interest, financing of activities that violate human rights – that could be perpetrated in the context of its interventions. SI applies zero tolerance to any type of abuse, particularly acts of SEAH.

Solidarités International is a fair employer that fights all forms of discrimination. SI will never ask for any remuneration in order to participate in a recruitment process.

Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH.

Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.