CRS | Assistant Finance & Compliance Officer
Position Title: Assistant Finance & Compliance Officer
Location: Gaza
Reports to: Finance Officer
Last date : 7/1/2016
BACKGROUND:
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian relief and development agency of the Catholic community in the United States and has been present in the Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza since 1961. The CRS JWBG country program currently supports programs in the sectors of humanitarian relief, social justice promotion, livelihoods, and civil society strengthening. CRS’s main office is in Jerusalem, with field offices in Gaza and Bethlehem. For further information about CRS, please visit: www.crs.org.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Assistant Finance and Compliance Officer (AFCO) is a part of the Finance department team representing the key points of contact for all local office specific finance issues. The Assistant Finance and Compliance Officer provides technical and operational assistance to Finance Officer to ensure that overall Finance Department runs smoothly and CRS/Donor/requirements and reporting are meet. Additionally, the AFCO will assist in building partners’ capacity on various areas of USAID policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Accounting:
- Assist the Finance Officer (FO) in daily management of finance issues and ensure all deadlines are met;
- On a daily bases, accurately and properly register all financial transactions by using CRS entry vouchers, submit to FO for verification, entered into the Sun Systems and posted.
- Assist the FO in the preparation of the Monthly Cash Forecast and submit Monthly Cash Request;
- Assist the FO in remedy internal control weaknesses in all areas that impact CRS financial resources;
- Review payment request to ensure it includes the required supporting documents;
- Prepare Bank Forms for payments with all necessary approvals;
- Keep informed about local fiscal and other financial laws related to taxes and exemptions; inform next level authority and Country Program staff as appropriate.
Grants & Compliance Management
- Assist in conducting regular and thorough financial monitoring of Partner Organizations that receive funds from CRS by using the approved and tested assessments tools;
- Assist in collecting partner information for developing accurate grant agreements with Sub-recipients;
- Assist in reviewing Partner Project Agreements prior to signing;
- Assist in oversight of grant implementation, modification, and close-out processes from the perspective of ensuring compliance with USAID/ Mission Order 21 and CRS policies and procedures;
- Review partner financial liquidations for compliance considerations, and send clear and concise notes for corrections needed;
- Assist in training the partners on how to financially report to CRS in line with CRS financial policies and procedures and donor regulations;
- Assist the Finance Officer in providing financial and compliance capacity strengthening as needed;
- Assist in maintaining auditable records of all sub-grants, including agreements, and pertinent correspondence, and ensure that contractual information is archived fully and in a timely manner;
Filing:
- File and maintain CRS office Sun Systems entry vouchers such as CD, CR, GJ, Import files, and Intra-Agency files in logical and accurate order.
- Maintain documents in logical order.
- File all correspondence including printed in/out email letters.
Reporting
- Assist in preparing financial reports for partners and Country Program staff when required.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIP:
Supervisory: None
Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Finance Manager, Finance Department staff, Grants & Compliance Manager, Country Program staff.
External: Local partner organization; and local banks.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Technical/Professional
- BA/BSc Degree in finance, financial management, economics, accounting or related field. Significant work experience in a directly related field will be considered in lieu of a BA/BSc degree.
- 2- 3 years of relevant experience is required.
- Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, Word and Access.
- Experience with accounting systems required; Sun Systems experience preferred.
- Previous relevant experience with USAID funded projects preferred.
- Fluency in written and spoken English; excellent written and oral communication skills.
Personal Competencies
- Demonstrated strengths in relationship management; able to work with diverse groups of people in multicultural, team-oriented environment
- Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control; able to manage long-distance relationships to achieve results
- Understands and works with local contexts (operational and cultural).
- Supports partners to ensure adherence to financial guidelines Committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
- Committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Agency-wide Competencies
- Serves with Integrity: Manifests CRS mission, values, and guiding principles to help improve the lives of the poor, vulnerable, and voiceless.
- Models Stewardship: Makes responsible and efficient use of time, talent, money, assets, and natural resources to achieve plans and goals.
- Develops Constructive Relationships: Builds and maintains mutually beneficial relationships through solidarity.
- Understands and complies with CRS and donor policies, procedures and reporting requirements
- Promotes Learning: Builds the capacity of self, staff and partners to continue learning and innovating to better fulfill our mission.
Physical Requirements/Environment
- Able to be based in Gaza office;
- Able to work in a normal office environment .with daily travel to the field and visiting partners
