Conciliation Resources is an independent organisation working with people in conflict to prevent violence and build peace. 
Conciliation Resources is a peacebuilding NGO supporting people at the heart of conflicts who are striving to find solutions. They work with them to deepen their collective understanding of the conflict, bring together divided communities and create opportunities for them to resolve their differences peacefully.
They are there for as long as they’re needed to provide advice, support and practical resources. They then take what they have learnt to government decision-makers, and others working to end conflict, to improve peacebuilding policies and practice worldwide.
Conciliation Resources has worked in the Mano River Union (MRU) region since 1995, supporting civil society and government institutions to address threats to peace by promoting good governance, peaceful elections and community security across the region.
The Project Goal: To promote peaceful resolution of local conflicts and tensions generated by the Ebola crisis and support improved governance in the border regions of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire.
Job overview
Job purpose: To provide financial, accounting, administrative services and logistical support in the implementation of an European Union funded project “Facilitating a peacebuilding approach to insecurity generated by the Ebola crisis in the Mano River Union (MRU) border regions” of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire.
To monitor financial activities of the project and project partners to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
To monitor financial activities of the project and project partners to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
This project is supported by the European Union through its Delegation in Dakar (Senegal), and runs for 18 months from signing, with an expected start date in March 2015.
Scope and accountability
The Mano River Region Finance Officer is a member of the Operations team and is line managed by the Finance Manager. The Operations team provides support across Conciliation Resources in the areas of financial management, personnel (HR) management, monitoring and evaluation, IT Systems and facilities. The Mano River Region Finance Officer will support the efficient upkeep and smooth running of the project financial systems.
The post-holder will work closely with the Mano River Region Project Officer, the Mano River Region Project Manager, the West Africa Programme Director, and jointly with our implementing partners ensure a successful completion of this project.
Specific responsibilities and tasks
Management of Project Finances
• Implement financial regulations and accounting procedures ensuring effective and accurate data entry and retrieval.
• Maintain accurate financial records and provide timely reports ensuring all transactions are supported by accurate and necessary paperwork and are processed in a timely manner.
• Support and assist our implementing partners to compile budgets and financial reports for this project, resolve issues in a timely manner escalating where necessary and working with others in Conciliation Resources as appropriate to achieve this.
• Provide support and training to Conciliation Resources staff and our partners involved in this project to enhance their understanding and use of our financial procedures and processes required to support working with and reporting to the European Union.
• Coordinate the project’s financial transactions, monitor cash flow and balances held by partners
• Assist in the preparation of project relevant accounts and reports for internal and external audit and / or reporting purposes.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of project financial systems and processes.
Filing and administration
• Maintain proper physical and electronic files and folders including current and archived information to enable retrieval of information.
• Process, track and maintain accurate and detailed records of all local and international money transfers relating to the project according to our financial regulations and procedures.
Administrative support
• Attend external events and internal meetings on behalf of the project and provide feedback to the rest of the team and, if appropriate, our partners.
• Support the Mano River Region Project Officer with logistical arrangements for events, (taking place in London, the region or elsewhere) and negotiate with service providers for accommodation, facilities, food and equipment needs, ensuring that Conciliation Resources’ Procurement of Goods and Services policy is adhered to.
Other
• Participate in line management, annual appraisals and keeping the BreatheHR Information System up to date.
• Assist in the induction of new staff members by explaining the relevant financial processes and procedures for the project.
• Participation in team and internal meetings or working groups
• Performing other duties and tasks, consistent with the skills and expertise of the post-holder, as required in non-routine circumstances5. Person specification
Knowledge
• Qualified by experience or working towards or have achieved a professional / academic qualification in accounting such as AAT or CAT, or a locally equivalent qualification.
• Proficient knowledge and daily use of an accounting system
• Good knowledge of administrative and financial procedures and information management systems
Experience
• Experience of working on a specific donor, ideally European Union, funded contract and understanding complex reporting requirements
• Experience of working in a support position in an organisation and building relationships with team members and partner organisations located remotely.
• Experience of working on own initiative but within a team, self servicing and managing competing demands.
Skills/attributes
Skills/attributes
• Excellent spoken and written English and French
• Strong organisational skills including planning, developing, implementing and maintaining financial administrative systems with accuracy
• Excellent computer and IT skills
• Excellent numeracy skills with the ability to operate financial systems
• Good problem solving skills/innovative with accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work quickly and accurately to tight deadlines
• Ability and willingness to travel to West Africa
The ideal candidate will have proficient knowledge of an accounting system, excellent spoken and written English and French. S/He will have strong organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
Additional Information.
• Mano River Region Finance Officer
• Part-time (30 hours) with some flexibility in working days/hours, London-based with occasional travel
• £29,336 full time equivalent (£23,468 pro rata) plus 9% employer pension contribution
• Fixed-term contract until 30 September 2016
• 25 days annual leave (pro rated depending on work pattern) and 3 Christmas office closure days and UK bank holidays
• Season ticket loan/Childcare voucher scheme/Bike hire purchase scheme
• Closing date: 17:00 (UK time) Thursday 5 March 2015
• Interviews: week commencing 16 March 2015
• Please apply via the Conciliation Resources website here
For more information on this role, please email jobs@afid.org.uk
For more information on this role, please email jobs@afid.org.uk
