Country Finance Manager - Afghanistan

Department: Finance
Position: Country Finance Manager Contract duration: 6 months Location: Kabul, Afghanistan Starting Date ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.

ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org

II. Country Profile

Capital Office : Kabul National Staff : 885 Areas : 3 (North West with Mazar-e-Sharif, North East with Taloqan, Center with Kabul) On-going programmes : 33 Budget : 21.5 M

ACTED continued to build on 17 years of uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan, with 900 staff of whom 98 % are Afghan nationals, whose tireless and awe-inspiring dedication to the people of Afghanistan and rebuilding their country is admirable, especially given the dangerous operating environments and direct exposure to attacks in the course of their work. ACTED consolidated its work in eight of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in the north of the country and our beneficiaries, while predominantly from rural, agricultural-based areas, typify the diversity which is Afghanistan, inclusive of different ethnic groups, languages, customs and traditions. In 2010 ACTED continued to work with approximately 8 % of the population of Afghanistan to increase their capacity to govern themselves, provide essential services, boost their economy and direct their own long-term development. We also responded to emergencies caused by conflict (displacement of people) and natural disasters, such as the floods in 2010). For 2011-2013, livelihoods will form the backbone of ACTED’s country strategy. We will continue to support the humanitarian and development community as a whole through our involvement in key coordination bodies and influencing mechanisms and continue to expand our partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan into new sectors.

III. Position Profile

Under the authority of the Country Director and Finance Director in HQ, the Country Finance Manager (CFM) will be responsible for ACTED accounting and financial management in-country. The CFM ensures that national legislation is adhered to, and that the country specific standards are applied in ensuring efficient use of resources.

1. Accounting and Financial Management
   • Accountancy: Supervise accountancy procedures: filing of documents, allocation of expenses, vouchers registration, balance checking, etc.; Verify and compile monthly accounts from each base; Communicate accounts on a monthly basis to HQ, respecting SAGA procedures and deadlines; Manage the presentation, circulation, filing and archiving of accounting and financial documents in conformity with FLAT procedures;
   • Treasury: Open/close bank accounts on the authority of the General Delegate; Oversee the management of bank accounts: follow transfers, check balances, check authorised visas; Supervise the management of safes and cash: available amount, balance checks, security instructions; Assess monthly cash-flow needs for projects and bases and communicate cash requests to the HQ; Manage money transfers, bases cash-supply and amounts in circulation, whilst defining payment procedures (bank transfer, cheque, cash etc.);
   • Commitment of expenditure: Set up and formalise procedures for the commitment of expendiure, conform to ACTED procurement guidelines: collect visas of authorised staff members, set-up commitment ceiling in local currencies, define methods and timescales for payment according to local practices; Ensure that procedures are adhered to in terms of contracts and payments; Ensure that proofs of purchase are valid (contracts, orders, bills, invoices, delivery receipts etc);
2. Budget Management
   • Ensure budget follow-up: Develop tables necessary for financial monitoring and for budget follow up within the mission; Analyse gaps between planned budgets and actual expenses; Anticipate financial risks; Calculate and supervise the monthly cost of each vehicle (fuel consumption, repairs) in coordination with Country Logistician; Calculate monthly communication costs of each base (phone, e-mail, Internet), in coordination with Country Logistician;
   • Develop project budgets: Develop budgets for project proposals according to project needs and Donor constraints; Draft financial reports (mid-term and final) respecting contractual deadlines; Guarantee the respect of Donor procedures for each financial contract.
3. Department Follow-up
   • Team leadership: Update the organization chart and ToRs of the finance department according to the mission development; Oversee the team and undertake appraisals of directly supervised colleagues; Ensure training and capacity building for finance team members in order to increase the level of technical ability and skills within the department;
   • Internal Procedures and Information Flows; Develop relevant management procedures within the team; Improve information flows within the department and with other departments and projects

IV. Qualifications:

• Masters degree minimum in Finance or related area;
• 3+ years of solid experience in financial management and monitoring systems, preferably of large development programs, possibly complemented by academic expertise;
• Excellent financial and analytical skills;
• Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting on programme financial performance;
• Ability to manage a financial/monitoring team and demonstrate leadership;
• Ability to monitor and evaluate financial and monitoring skills of communities through capacity-building efforts;
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements;
• Prior knowledge of the region an asset;
• Fluency in English required - ability to communicate in local languages an asset;
• Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and Project Management software

V. Conditions:

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

VI. Submission of applications:

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org Ref : CFM/AFG/RW

ACTED Att: Human Resources Department 33, rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris FRANCE

Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46

For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org