Finance Manager - Diakonia Lebanon

Diakonia is a Swedish faith-based development organization that works to change unfair structures that generate poverty, inequality, oppression and violence. The organization was founded in 1966 and is today rooted in two Christian denominations: the Swedish Alliance Mission and the Uniting Church in Sweden. Our vision and mission are based on theological reflection & the universality of human rights. Diakonia works with around 400 partner organizations (2021) and employs approximately 300 staff in 25 country offices & four regional offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, MENA region & Sweden.

The Diakonia Lebanon office was established in 2010 and currently oversee programs implemented directly and with local partners.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF ROLE:

To proactively plan and execute assignments as well as to develop processes and methods within the working area.

Assignment to be adapted to the target group and/or the specific context and carried out in line with Diakonia’s global policies and steering documents, as well as Diakonia´s feminist and human-rights based principles and our values of solidarity, justice, courage, commitment and accountability.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures that the country-operating budget is regularly updated and is available for use as a management tool during the development of new proposal budgets and during times of rapid expansion and/or program reduction.
• Provides recommendations to address projected funding shortfalls or lack of funding coverage for each component of the fiscal year budget.
• Prepare budgets for the new proposals and revises existing budgets, ensure all costs are covered not under/over budgeted, in addition to ensure the correct use of the Diakonia and specific donor budget standard templates.
• Ensure the monthly Budget versus Actual (BvA) and spending plan reports for Lebanon assigned grants are uploaded and up to date.
• Prepare and update spending plans for all active grants in conjunction with designated budget holders.
• Review budget spending against spending plans / actual spending and advise relevant staff on spending status. Request feedback on all over/under spending from budget holders.
• Attend and provide input and support to Grants Opening, Project Implementation meetings and Grant Closing Meetings.
• Provide support and feedback to Operations and Program Managers on all questions regarding the BvA reports and process as BvA Finance Admin.
• Work closely with the Operations department on all related financial documentations, procurement processes and policies.
• In compliance with the Diakonia requirements, propose adjustment entries required for the BvA reports and grant financial reports.
• Provide analysis and guidance on staff coverage, salary mapping in addition to the Shared Program coverage and allocations for Country Director for final review and further approval.
• Ensure all Internal Audit actions are appropriately followed up and reported back to Country Director, Regional Office and Head Office.

Regional Coordination:

• • Attend regional management meetings to input on financial and business issues, present findings and make recommendations for action.
  • Actively engage and participate on regional strategic projects to ensure financial systems, financial controls and risk management activities are implemented appropriately.
• Take part of regular regional finance and admin team to discuss potential challenges, solutions and improvements.

Partners financial capacity building and monitoring:

• Carry out regular sampling checks, monitoring and compliance visits to partners to ensure financial documentation and policies are in line with Diakonia’s
•  internal policies and SOPs.
• Support financial training of partner staff to ensure successful implementation and reporting of projects.

• Support financial capacity building of Diakonia’s partners in the region, including through field and support visits.  
• Follow up with audit incident reports.

Staff Training (Finance & Non-Finance)

• Functional supervision of the Finance staff.

• Lead in coordination with the Finance Officer regular staff training and induction sessions for Program and Operations staff on Budgeting and reporting topics, such as: Budget management, review grant actuals, new policies, tools and reports, etc…

• Work closely with the team to build their capacity in budgeting and reporting aspects where needed.
• Ensure a risk register for all programmes is developed, reviewed and updated.
• Able to transfer the know/ how of the reports, realignments, proposals, conciliation with the financial report tool and accounting system.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Commerce.
• Experience in Excel functions, financial reporting, and analysis,
• Minimum of (5) years’ experience working with NGOs in complex financial contexts.
• Strong analytical skills to be able to make logical and strategic budget decisions.
• Able to function comfortably in a complex with tight timelines work environment, under pressure whilst prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) in English, good time management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, MS Office package with advanced Excel and ability to create Micros.
• Knowledge of major European donor’s budgeting and reporting requirements, such as: ECHO, Europe Aid, UN Agencies, and SIDA is a plus.