Finance Officer

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The Finance Officer provides services in financial transactions and payments for different activities of RECAP project and secures compliance with donor regulations and standards, donor financial reporting, financial reconciliations, budget analysis, income accounting, ensuring compliance to VSO policies, quality assurance standards, donor requirements, and local legislations.

1. Introduction to VSO

VSO is the world's leading international non-governmental organisation that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone.

Our work centres on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict. But they are not passive beneficiaries of aid; they are the "primary actors" at the heart of our efforts. From their perspective, we define the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, local-led change. These individuals are the key agents of their own transformation.

2. Our Approach

Our Volunteering for Development (VfD) method supports the most vulnerable and marginalised to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change to create a fair world for everyone. Rooted in addressing the fundamental causes of marginalisation and vulnerability, our three core approaches – social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience – guide our work in inclusive education, health, and resilient livelihoods.

Our Volunteering for Development method recognises the importance of relationships in forging a shared understanding and commitment and building collective action to lasting change. With most of our volunteers being national, we build blended teams of community, national, and international volunteers, uniting diverse perspectives and experiences to generate insight, innovation, and action that tackle the complex issues faced by our communities. This kindles the potential for active citizenship worldwide, encouraging people to step forward and lead the change that fosters a fair world for all.

3. Contextual Background of the Project

Resilient Borders: Advancing Climate Adaptation, Peace, Livelihoods, and Preparedness in Cross-Border Communities of Ethiopia and Kenya (RECAP) Project

RECAP is a three-year initiative targeting 21 locations across four districts, Miyo and Moyale in Ethiopia and Sololo and Moyale in Kenya. The RECAP project addresses interconnected challenges of climate change, conflict, fragile livelihoods, and disaster risks affecting cross-border communities of Ethiopia and Kenya. Moyale is a highly dynamic border area where competition over natural resources, climate shocks, and mobility intersect with long-standing conflict dynamics. Strengthening peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacities at community level is critical for building sustainable resilience.

Role Description

The Finance Officer provides services in financial transactions and payment for different activities of the RECAP project and secures compliance with donor regulations and standards, donor financial reporting, financial reconciliations, budget analysis, income accounting, ensuring compliance to VSO policies, quality assurance standards, donor requirements, and local legislations.

Task Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day financial operations of the RECAP project in accordance with approved budgets and workplans.
• Monitor project expenditures against budgets and provide regular budget versus actual (BVA) analysis.
• Support budget revisions, reallocations, and financial forecasts in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of payments, advances, and reimbursements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, vouchers, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure proper coding of expenditures in line with donor budget lines and internal accounting systems.
• Prepare and review monthly financial reports and cash flow projections.
• Ensure secure filing and archiving financial documents for audit and compliance purposes.
• Work closely with program staff to ensure financial planning aligns with activity implementation timelines.
• Provide financial guidance during activity planning, procurement, and field operations.
• Participate in project review meetings and contribute to financial decision-making.
• Provide trainings and regular updates to the project team on specific finance grant requirements and compliance mechanism.
• Advise project manager on financial processes, compliance, donor's financial requirements and local laws and regulations.
• Manage project expenditure and income by preparation of balance sheet reconciliations related to grants as per VSO regulations, reviewing in country shared costs, and monitoring to ensure compliance.
• Participate in procurement committees for grant-specific procurement.
• Review documents, systems to ensure necessary compliance checks on project suppliers and partners are consistently and diligently conducted e.g. anti-terrorism checks.
• Prepare & record expenses / adjustment / recodes to SUN when required.
• Handle communication with the donor on finance aspects in close collaboration with the project manager, finance and operation manager and global grant team lead.
• Preparation of accurate timely restricted management and donor reports as per donor requirements and advising on any variances.
• Support on donor audits and statutory and internal audits working closely with the finance and operations manager to ensure audit findings are minimised.

Qualification:

Finance and accounting in MA/MBA, Qualified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (ACCA) license, with significant practical experience in INGO sector on finance and accounting.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience managing donor-funded projects and familiarity with donor financial regulations.
• Professional experience in grant finance with good knowledge and skills in technical accounting and financial management of restricted donor funding, reporting, procurement procedure, grant management, grant equipment and donor rules and regulations for non-profit organisations.
• Experience of coordinating financial grants and donor requirements, preferably for ADA and or other donors FCDO, UN, USAID, EU.
• Good engagement and ability to work in multi-cultural project teams, managing relationships with different stakeholders and working in a global organisation.

Skills and Competencies

• Good IT literacy (Microsoft, Zoom, project management, people management software), including accounting and reporting packages and especially Excel, Finance System, SUN systems, Q&A XL skills and experience.
• Good verbal and written communications in English and local languages with ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Commitment to VSO's mission, values, People First principles and core approaches (social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience).
• Strong knowledge of financial management and accounting principles.
• Experience using accounting software and MS Excel.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Teamwork.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English required.
• Skill and knowledge of Afan Oromo local languages spoken and customs of the community in project areas is highly desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Strong motivation to contribute to community resilience and development.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment.
• Practical experience in livelihoods programming within fragile and cross-border contexts.
• Enhanced skills in community engagement, monitoring, and reporting.

Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension based on performance.

Equal Opportunities

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

VSO reserves the right to close this job early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

VSO is committed to fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment. VSO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.

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