INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Finance Coordinator

Code: SR-28-9367

Duty station: Kabul with frequent visits to field locations

Starting date: 01/08/2024

Contract duration: 12 Months 

Reporting to: Country Director

Supervision of: Finance team

Functional Supervisor: Regional Finance Coordinator

Type of duty station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities. With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff. It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential. At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

Define, coordinate and monitor the implementation and management of finance strategies, policies, internal control and all financial administrative in the mission, in line with the context and operational challenges and INTERSOS protocols, standards and procedures, and with the Regional Finance Coordinator’s directions, in order to provide accurate, transparent, timely and reliable financial information to the organization and third parties on the allocation of resources in the projects.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Strategy and budget

• As an active member of the Senior Management Team, participate in the definition of the missions’ objectives and strategies planning, implementing and monitoring the financial operational and budget needs, anticipating changes and challenges and planning accordingly, in order to ensure budget is appropriate
• Define the financial strategy for the mission and the country, assessing and mitigating the financial risks of the mission, and the project economic and financial plan together with the Head of Mission and linking with the Project Managers
• Provide regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial position of the mission and provide relevant cost analysis, regularly monitor of expenses vs budget, analyse variances and suggest corrective actions when needed
• Provide support to the Head of Mission and Programme Coordinator on drafting new projects and budget preparation, ensuring the collaboration of other support Departments (HR, Log, Security)

Accounting and Treasury

• Ensure the accounting process is efficient and accurate, foreseeing an adequate level of verification and segregation of duties based on the dimension and the staff of the mission. The accounting database must be compliant with the INTERSOS’ standard accounting practices, reconciled on a monthly basis following the standard internal control mechanisms and enforce an effective monitoring of payment of suppliers, social/tax institutions and staffs salaries
• Coordinate the efficient management of the treasury including to ensure the smooth running of operations and maintain control on security risks. This includes among other things, definition of minimum levels of cash, cash-flow forecast for projects and NGO, management of local bank accounts, bank/cash reconciliation, transfer of funds to field bases, relations with banks and/or other financial institutions at mission level, identify in advance the financial issues and cash crunch
• Ensure proper implementation and respect of INTERSOS policies and guidelines and compliance with donors procedures, ensuring they are aligned with legal requirements and within the national legal framework, and designing or adapting relevant local policies, procedures and tools for optimized management of the mission’s financial resources
• Sensitize key executive staffs as coordinators, budget holders and relevant management on financial risks and the extent of their financial responsibilities
• In collaboration with Regional Finance Coordinator manage the funding agreements with donors e.g. coordinating and preparing proposals and financial reports and managing donor contracts
• Ensure the implementation of a relevant mission organizational set up and a reliable internal control system, in order to meet all financial obligations while keeping financial ethics respected within the mission and making use of the New Accounting Information System, or when not available, using the tools and templates provided by the procedural protocols

Administration and HR

• Is responsible for mission administrative-accounting documents and all finished project documentation. Submit to the Regional Finance Coordinator and the HQ Finance Director the accounting reports and the supporting official documentation on individual projects and contracts
• Collaborate with HR department to accomplish the administrative requirements related to staffs related matters
• Coordinate and oversee the monthly and yearly closing of accounts guarantying that the statement reflects the financial reality of the mission

People management

• Is responsible for the management, supervision and development of the finance team, including coaching, training, motivating and ensuring their capability, detecting potential conflicts and finding solutions when necessary
• Participate to the HR processes (recruitment, training, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, potential, detection, staff’s development and internal communication) in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required for the activities he is accountable for.

Logistics

• In collaboration with the Logistics Coordinator ensure the proper execution of goods, works and services procurement processes in conformity with INTERSOS and donors’ guidelines

Required profile and experience

Education

• Advanced University degree in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Finance Management, Business Administration, Management, International Economics, International Development, Contract/Commercial Law.

Professional Experience 

• Essential 4 (four) years’ experience in budget management and in team management
• Desirable previous experience with NGO’s in developing countries

Professional Requirements

• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, the humanitarian system and its flexibility, donors and their high demanding, security and financial management in humanitarian context.
• IT literacy (Office and Goolge suites) and admin/finance skills.
• Donor compliance and reporting.
• Highly able to keep confidentiality.
• Able to work independently.
• People Management and Leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.
• 28 Demonstrated experience in staff supervision.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

Personal requirements 

• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
• Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks (very organized)
• Ability to plan ahead and output oriented (pro-active)
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management
• Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skills
• Practical and problem-solver

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below: https://www.intersos.org/en/field-eng/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/66293894ae4c900029f102f6/ 

Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password and citizenship), sign-up and apply by attaching your CV in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS. 

Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references: two line managers and one HR referent. Family members are to be excluded.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.