Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the finance assistant position is day-to-day implementation of the support functions responsibilities.

Generic responsibilities

• Ensure that accurate and timely accounts are submitted to country office every Monday in accordance with NRC Ethiopia financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe custody of NRC finances and keep the petty cash float, to be issued in accordance with NRC policies and procedures.
• Assemble documents for data input in the accounting system, verifying and registering project numbers/codes, resource numbers and total costs.
• Review payment requests for accuracy, completeness, compliance, level of authorization and clarity on the invoices and seek advice from the finance officer if need arises.
• Prepare and review payment vouchers and invoices for accuracy and reconcile discrepancies.
• Follow cash advances and their purposes and ensure value for money when verifying accountabilities with HoO  and ensure that accountabilities are prompt and cleared before reports are sent to Addis Ababa
• Responsible for following up NRC bills for timely settlement
• Make all payments including field payments after approval by the Project Manager(s) and HoO.
• Maintain open communication with program staff, NRC Addis and others for all financial clarifications and liaise with finance Coordinator or Manager for technical support.
• Ensure timely photocopy of all vouchers before they are sent to Addis Ababa country office.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of all NRC financial and accounting files and transactions
• Ensure proper management of accounting documents and records
• Coordinate financial matters with third parties like banks, vendors and tax authorities.
• Any other duty assigned by the Supervisor.

Specific responsibilities 

• Monitor and disburse program budgets as per approved expenditures and budget lines
• Provide up-to-date analysis and regular reports of the Area financial status
• Prepare and submit periodic financial reports as appropriate

Competencies 

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies: 

• Experience from working as a Support Function Officer in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Good knowledge of English, both written and verbal
• Previous work experience with a satisfactory performance in the same or similar functional area, preferably with UN or INGOs

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Bachler degree in the field of Accounting with a minimum of three years’ experience handling cash, recording accounting data/tax data/procurement data
• Basic computer skills (common Microsoft Windows and Office applications)
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strict attention to policy and practice detail
• Very strong financial analysis skills
• High integrity
• Good knowledge of financial reporting systems in donor funded work
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to function independently and as a work team leader/facilitator
• Excellent computer skills with hands on experience on computerized accounting systems; and Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Behavioral competencies

• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect