(1) a Finance Officer and (2) a Finance and Admin Officer

Under the responsibility of the Project Director, and in coordination with the Programme Managers, the Finance Officer manages the economic and operational activities and leads the internal administration within the framework of legal and fiscal requirements and the norms and regulations that currently apply to FES in Lebanon.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Finance Officer

• assures the daily bookkeeping and general accounting of the office and projects;
• controls the operational budgets of activities as well as cash and assists, under the responsibility of the Resident Representative, in the preparation of annual and operational budgets;
• maintains fiscal files and accounting documents.

She/He:

• regularly establishes the accounts situation, and prepares and presents legal accounting documents within the deadlines set by the Foundation and in a standardised form;
• establishes and controls the correctness of documents for accounting and carries out all payments and transfers within the statutory periods of time;
• controls financial expenses, and ensures efficient and economic utilization of resources and budgets;
• ensures that all finance operations are performed in accordance with FES guidelines and German government rules and regulations,
• reviews all payment documents for proper and adequate payment and accounting as per FES guidelines,
• requests and checks quotations and budget proposals of service providers and partners of the Foundation;
• liaises with bank officials in order to ensure uninterrupted bank services,
• checks partners’ reports and arranges payments to them; if need be, orients the partners of the Foundation with regard to the necessities for accounting and may therefore develop guidelines, forms or other adequate material;
• ensures that the programme staff produces necessary reports and supporting documents of implemented activities within the deadlines and according to the norms and standards;
• keeps herself/himself updated about developments in fiscal legislation as well as changing legal requirements for accounting and bookkeeping;
• maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to financial matters and ensures compliance with regulations and other legal requirements;
• follows up closely with regional and international offices as well as FES headquarters.

Admin related responsibilities (for the second position only):

• Any task concerning the administration of the office (handling service providers, communication predominantly in Arabic, etc.), as requested by the Project Director and in coordination with the Programme Manager, during an interim period of several months. Approximately 20 per cent of overall work load.

Required Profile

• Highly motivated individual with a minimum of three years of work experience in accounting and finance, preferably in an NGO or international organisation, with a University Degree, preferably in Finance, Accounting or related subject, from a recognized college/ university;
• Excellent knowledge of accounting principles and procedures as well as procurement;

• Self-directed multi-tasker with strong time management and organizational skills and attention to detail, who acts with integrity and transparency in all decision-making processes;
• Ability to prioritise and perform duties with an attention to detail in a fast-paced environment with a problem-solving attitude;
• Solution-focused team player; who deals with conflict in a constructive manner
• Ability to establish and maintain efficient relationships with colleagues, partner organisations, bank personnel, as well as service providers;
• Effective communication skills; excellent written and verbal skills in Arabic and English, preferably French, knowledge of German is an asset;
• Proficiency in relevant IT and software application
• Commitment to mission of FES and the values of social democracy;

Conditions

Status: local employee with fixed-term contract (according to the duration of the project, extendable in case of continuation of the Foundation’s project activities in Lebanon).

Contract Type: Full-time (40h per week)

Beginning: Late August 2021; a probation period of three months applies.

Duration: commitment for 1.5 years (extendable).

Job location: Beirut, Lebanon