Finance Assistant at Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role:
The Finance Assistant (FA) supports the DRC Kakuma and Lodwar office in relation to all financial aspects of the project. The FA with guidance from the Finance Officer will ensure efficient and effective financial operations of DRC Kakuma and Lodwar office project activities. She/he will ensure compliance with DRC Operations Handbook alongside donor policies, procedures, guidelines and rules. She/he will seek and receive policy guidance/ instructions and support from the Head of Support Services (HoSS) and the Finance Controller.

Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities: 

• Implement financial policies and procedures;
• Establish the cash requirements, and maintain adequate cash levels and related cash controls, safe custody of safe keys;
• Ensure monthly cash counts are conducted and submitted by the end date of every month to the Finance Controller;
• Assist with month end reconciliations;
• Assist in preparing financial reports for various donors;
• Confirm that full accountabilities (supporting documentations) are obtained for all project expenditures;
• Ensure transactions are properly recorded and entered in the relevant journals in ERP Dynamics on a regular basis for review by the finance officer or Finance Controller and that they are posted by the 5th of every month;
• Prepare bank reconciliation by the 5th of every month;
• Process approved payments of supplier / service provider invoices based on complete documentation in line with DRC/DDG financial policy and donor guideline;
• Assist in preparing schedules for all taxes withheld or paid where relevant and submit for verification before submission to the relevant authorities;
• Supporting finance officer/finance controller /managers and Project Managers to adequately prepare for both internal and external audits;
• Ensure copies of project files and related financial documents are safely kept at the DDG field office and are regularly backed up in an external storage device and share point;
• Inform the country Finance controller and Kakuma field finance officer and/or area manager of all financial issues which can affect the execution of the project;
• Ensure safeguarding of all available donor funds;
• Reconcile the accounts payables, receivables and staff advances and process staff expense claims in Dynamics;

Personal Qualifications

• Highly organized, punctual, delivery-focused and process- driven.
• Flexible and can adapt to arising issues while respecting local differences
• Passionate about promoting a Kenya free of armed violence and conflict
• High levels of integrity and trustworthiness
• Analytical and able to present logical arguments,
• Curious and seeks out information, strong drive to learn new things and improve own capacity,
• Takes initiative – identifies what needs to get done and does it,
• Hard working and driven to achieve objectives, Able to work under minimum supervision
• A good team player, high level of attention to detail, culturally sensitive and able to resist external pressure

Experience and technical competencies: 

• A basic degree (Economics / Accounting / Finance or Business Administration) or compensating relevant work experience.
• 2 years’ experience in financial management/administration within a non-governmental organisation (NGO)
• Experience in donor compliance
• Familiarity with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
• Experience of donor reporting ideally within the NGO sector
• Experience of analysing financial information
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in one of the local languages is an advantage;
• Fluency in English. Strong command of written English and ability to speak clearly to various audiences;
• High degree of computer literacy; including high knowledge of excel

Education

• A recognized accounting qualification (CPA II or ACCA II)

Key stakeholders: 
Internal Stakeholder

• HoSS, Supply chain staff, Kakuma Area Manager and other DRC staffs in Kakuma and Lodwar

External

• Local government authorities
• Other NGOs and local authority
• Community members
• Vendors/Suppliers

About you:
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.