Background
Danish Deming Group (DDG) is a department under Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Danish Demining Group’s (DDG) mandate is to recreate a safe environment where people are free from the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war and small arms and light weapons. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. The organisation now implements an armed violence reduction (AVR) programme which includes the following types of activities: participatory community and district-level safety projects, community driven development, conflict prevention and management, community-police relationship building, mine risk education, explosive ordnance disposal, firearms safety education, physical security and stockpile management of firearms, and support to the review of policy and legislation on small arms and light weapons.
Danish Deming Group (DDG) is a department under Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Danish Demining Group’s (DDG) mandate is to recreate a safe environment where people are free from the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war and small arms and light weapons. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. The organisation now implements an armed violence reduction (AVR) programme which includes the following types of activities: participatory community and district-level safety projects, community driven development, conflict prevention and management, community-police relationship building, mine risk education, explosive ordnance disposal, firearms safety education, physical security and stockpile management of firearms, and support to the review of policy and legislation on small arms and light weapons.
Purpose
The Country Finance Manager will oversee the financial management for the DDG Somalia programme and will be under the supervision and direction of the Country Director, with close links to the Head of Support, Deputy Country Director and the Regional Finance team that is based in Nairobi.
The Country Finance Manager will oversee the financial management for the DDG Somalia programme and will be under the supervision and direction of the Country Director, with close links to the Head of Support, Deputy Country Director and the Regional Finance team that is based in Nairobi.
The Country Finance Manager will oversee all financial functions in Somaliland, Puntland and South Central including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, and financial reporting.
The Country Finance Manager ensures compliance across DDG Somalia with DRC’s Operations Handbook in regards to all financial matters and provides support to the Country Director, Regional and Copenhagen offices as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee and manage daily countrywide accounting and finance functions including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables.
- Monitor systems for financial operations in both the main programme offices and in field offices in accordance with the DRC Field Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, financial record-keeping, grant management and compliance.
- Assist with recruitment and capacity building of the DDG finance staff.
- Maintain banking relations and plan/monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of DDG programs.
- Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to DDG Regional Office, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by project, required sub grantee or Partners reporting, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner.
- Provide monthly management reports to the Operations Manager and Program Managers, including expenditures by project, sub grantee or Partners’ reporting and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.
- Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the AVR Managers and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Area Managers.
- Plan and maintain oversight of co-funding requirements.
- Perform internal audits and reviews as required to ensure compliance with DDG and donor requirements.
- Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations; compile and update applicable local policies; and train DDG program and partner staff in these policies.
- Review and monitor partners’ financial reporting and compliance. Provide additional technical assistance to partners as necessary to maintain high standards of compliance.
- Ensure compliance with DDG procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services.
- Develop and maintain local office policies and procedures and provide training for all issues related to local financial matters.
- Conduct due diligence on any purchases as required by DDG policy
- Analyze compensation packages, taxation requirements and human resource policies for local staff to ensure that DDG’ has adequately planned for of local staff compensation and benefits.
- Develop budget planning tools and guidelines as needed.
- Oversee management of insurance coverages for DDG staff and property.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to DDG and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Reporting Arrangements
Reports to the Country Director.
Personal Specification
- Four or more years of progressive financial management experience is required
- A Bachelor degree in commerce, accounting or finance is required and a relevant accounting qualification. An advanced degree is preferred
- Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports
- Experience working with accounting systems (Navision preferably)
- Experience in INGO finance management
- Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet
- Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
- Prior management experience and strong organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to train and capacity build staff and provide support for the development of financial staff
- Strong team player with ability to maintain positive attitude under pressure
- Excellent oral and written English skills
Other:
- Ability and willingness to travel to field sites frequently
- Experience working in Somalia or in cross-cultural situations with political and cultural environment similar to Somalia
General
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.
Conditions
Duty station: Hargeisa, Somaliland with travel to other areas northern Somalia/Somaliland. This is a ‘non-family duty station’ and the person must be prepared to live and work in an isolated and unstable security environment with limited recreational and social facilities. Accommodation is provided.
Contract: 12 months - with good possibilities for extension. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is placed at salary category A11. The position offers an R&R benefit, in addition to standard vacation and holiday benefits. The position is subject to funding.
Start date: As soon as possible, no later than March 2015.
Duty station: Hargeisa, Somaliland with travel to other areas northern Somalia/Somaliland. This is a ‘non-family duty station’ and the person must be prepared to live and work in an isolated and unstable security environment with limited recreational and social facilities. Accommodation is provided.
Contract: 12 months - with good possibilities for extension. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is placed at salary category A11. The position offers an R&R benefit, in addition to standard vacation and holiday benefits. The position is subject to funding.
Start date: As soon as possible, no later than March 2015.
Further information
For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website http://www.danishdemininggroup.dk/.
HOW TO APPLY:
Application and CV
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit an updated CV (no longer than two pages) and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV, in English and marked “Country Finance Manager, DDG Somalia” will be considered.
We only accept applications sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies.
Please remember to upload a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.
Applications are to be sent to no later than 1st February 2015.
Please contact job@drc.dk if you experience problems with your online application.
