NGO JOBS

Organization: Afghanaid
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 25 Aug 2013

The OrganisationAfghanaid, an international NGO (www.afghanaid.org.uk) registered in England and Wales, has facilitated community-driven processes for emergency assistance, recovery and development to address rights, entitlements and fundamental needs of people in some of the most remote areas of Afghanistan for the past 3 decades. Headquartered in Kabul, with provincial and district offices in Badakhshan (north-eastern region), Samangan (northern region) and Ghor (western region) and a Marketing and Fundraising office in London, Afghanaid employs 400 personnel, 95% of whom are Afghans.

1. The RoleReporting to the MD and collaborating as a member of the Executive Team (ET), the position holder will contribute to organisational strategy, operational planning, policy formulation and decision-making, steering the organisation to achieve its mandate. The position holder is responsible for strategic alignment, policy-making, systems and overall leadership of Finance, Administration, Procurement and Logistics and ICT departments, directly leading and motivating teams across Afghanaid. The post holder enjoys significant autonomy to take initiative, works closely with Board of Trustees (BoT) and deputises for the MD. As a technical leader, the DFA will ensure that:

i) All financial management, monitoring and control, and reporting functions are efficient, understood by relevant personnel and carried out in compliance with the Afghanaid’s, donor and legal requirementsii) Procurement is conducted in accordance with the relevant policies and guidelinesiii) Administration is organised and coordinated to maximise efficient support to the wider organisation iv) ICT is fit for purpose, affordable and maintained to high standards of efficiency in all areas of workv) That Finance, Administration, Logistics and ICT personnel are suitably qualified, trained and motivated to meet the highest professional standards

1. Key Responsibilities and DutiesFinancial, Treasury and Budget Management• Ensure finance policies and procedures are aligned with organisational requirements and donors’ and legal standards and serve to mitigate risks and protect assets• Lead preparation and dissemination of well presented, accurate, on-time, analysed financial reports, coherently linked with work plans agreed with the donors and narrative reporting• Protect financial records and supporting documents according to the Afghanaid’s, statutory, legal and donor requirements• Design, implement, and monitor systems and procedures to forecasts cash requirements.• Manage cash flow: forecasting and tracking income and cash requirements• Proactively monitor financial management and accounting activities and performance (including organisational reserves) to reduce risks, escalating/flagging concerns and mitigating measures to the MD, ET and BoT as needed• Respond rapidly to management and board requests for specific financial information or advice• Facilitate and co-ordinate all audits; lead and monitor corrective measures to ensure audit compliance and foster productive working relationships with auditors• Manage relations with banks; maintain adequate banking services and lead negotiations on fees, interest and exchange rates• Oversee preparation, review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations• Develop and implement plans to minimize exposure to foreign exchange losses• Set guidelines and lead timely, participatory annual and monthly budgeting processes. • Prepare the annual and monthly cash budgets, based on approved funding/budget• Support preparation of and approve all project proposal budgets and budget narratives• Supervise effective implementation of annual department plans and budgets • Lead in the production of user-friendly monthly/quarterly organisational, departmental and project budget-monitoring reports and support others in their analysis and interpretation• Keep up-to-date on government financial, tax and other requirements and ensure timely dissemination and training on all new policies to relevant personnel

Administration, Procurement and Logistics• Lead administrative, procurement and logistical process to ensure safe, efficient and timely action in support of the wider organisation, including but not limited to janitorial, food and maintenance services, transportation and power
• Ensure all procurement is in accordance with the Afghanaid and donor policies and procedures• Lead the development, revision and implementation of appropriate polices and processes for effective control, maintenance, protection and safety of Afghanaid’s property (offices and residences), vehicles, generators and other assets, including timely renewal of lease agreements, insurance and asset inventory maintenance

Information and Communication Technology • Proactively lead in ensuring ICT takes advantage of new developments, is fit for purpose, affordable and maintained to high standards of efficiency in all areas of work• Lead ICT staff to review and revise ICT policy for smooth functioning of the ICT functions.• Supported by ICT staff, ensure ICT functions are maintained in all offices• Ensure that data back up is undertaken regularly and a comprehensive disaster recovery plan is in place & applied• In coordination with HR Director and ICT staff, assess staff ICT skills and coordinate training to all levels of the organisation • Support ICT staff to maintain regular contact with service providers and receive timely assistance

Peoples Management• Lead recruitment, induction, training, coaching, support, and performance management of finance, ICT, administration and logistics personnel to ensure they are qualified, trained, motivated and collaborate to meet the highest professional standards • Conduct probationary period/annual performance planning and evaluations (PPEs) of all primary reports and review those of secondary reports• Support staff in attainment of their personal development objectives • Plan for and manage succession across the department • Conduct frequent 1:1 meetings with all direct reports, monthly departmental meetings; share meeting outcomes with MD and ET as needed

External Representation and Networking• Proactively engage with donors, auditors, tax assessors, service providers and government departments on financial and administrative matters to build relationships and ensure prompt and accurate responses to all reporting and other queries• Develop relationships and support networks with heads of finance, administration and ICT functions of other leading INGOs in Afghanistan

Perform other duties as assigned

Note: This job description does not form part of the employment contract and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the organisation. The post-holder will work at all times in ways that are consistent with the organisation’s commitment to equality of opportunity and its Code of Conduct.

Updated: 4th August 2013

Position RequirementsAfghanaid wants to attract an individual with international work experience and background. The ideal candidate will have the following education, work experience, skills and qualities:

Education & Professional QualificationEssential:1) Post-graduate degree in finance or business with a strong focus on financial matters.

Desirable:1) CPA, ACMA, CMA,ACA

Work Experience and KnowledgeEssential:1) Ten (10) years of financial management and accounting experience with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior financial (and administration) management position with an international NGO, with minimum of £5 million annual budget and multiple donor reporting requirements2) Proven ability to think and lead strategically, plan effectively, set priorities and meet deadlines3) Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted international accounting principals, internal controls, auditing, and grants management 4) Proven and substantive expertise in budgeting, donor reporting and auditing 5) Previous substantive experience of financial and procurement policies and standards of institutional donors including DFID, USAID, EU, ECHO, UNICEF, UN OCHA, World Bank, etc6) Experience in preparing excellent, coherent, well-organised financial and narrative reports7) Comprehensive knowledge and experience of other non-financial areas of responsibility Sound understanding of international humanitarian and development work, including infrastructure, agriculture, community development and governance, gender and DRR8) Ability to represent a respected organisation at a senior level 9) Experience and strong understanding of security and operating environment in Afghanistan (or a similar conflict-affected context)10) A minimum of 1-year recent experience working overseas in a conflict-affected country 11) Cultural and gender sensitivity and ability to live and work in diverse multi-cultural environments 12) Proven track record in leading change, motivating, mentoring, coaching and facilitating learning and development of colleagues

Desirable:1) Experience in organisational level strategy development and management2) Experience working with Board of Directors, either in a management role or as a board member.3) Experience in a financial management position in the private sector4) Knowledge of Afghan laws and statutory requirements

Professional Skills, Competencies and QualitiesEssential:1) Fluency in written English and demonstrated ability to write and lay out high quality documents and reports for diverse audiences2) High level proficiency in relevant accounting software packages and office applications, including spread sheets, word processing, PowerPoint and Outlook 3) Personal integrity, initiative and drive to get the things done and achieve results 4) Strong organisational and coordination skills, able to work with significant levels of autonomy, manage personal priorities and meet tight deadlines5) An outgoing and engaging personality and strong sense of humour, able to built trust, work collaboratively in teams and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders6) Excellent conceptual and analytical skills able to distil key ideas with clarity and precision7) Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions8) Ability to lead and influence others with diplomacy and tact 9) Flexible and dynamic with the ability to deal with difficult, often ambiguous and challenging situations and creatively solve problems10) Resilience to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly insecure locations11) Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development.12) Commitment to the vision and mission of Afghanaid

Desirable:1) Conversant in Dari

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud of their work and Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities / tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.

Due to security considerations for international employees, this is an unaccompanied post. International employees are entitled to 22 annual leave days, 15 rest and relaxation days, 3 travel days and 14 public holidays per year. Afghanaid also provides a generous travel allowance for international staff to take R&R out of the country.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations.

How to apply:

Please email a covering letter and your CV to vacancies@afghanaid.org.uk including your name and the job title in the subject line. Your covering letter should be no more than 2 standard A4 pages in length and explain how you meet the essential and desirable position requirements and why you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this role. The precision and style with which you present yourself in your covering letter and CV will be given significant weight in short listing candidates.