Finance Officer: CHANGE Project - Children Believe

Our Mission is to empower street connected children and their families in Ghana and beyond to live healthier, happier, and better lives. Since our inception over 20 years ago, we nurtured an inclusive environment that embraces the diversity and uniqueness of everyone. Irrespective of gender, role, or background, we pride our relationships on highest levels of integrity and trust.

Job Description

Transform Lives with Children Believe!

Join us to help break the barriers to education that steal children’s choices one by one until they have none. Together, we can foster an environment where education unlocks a world of choices, nurturing creativity, resilience, and hope for a better tomorrow. At Children Believe, we won’t stop until every child can dream fearlessly and grow up to live the life they choose to live.

Children Believe is currently recruiting for the following position:

Finance Officer CHANGE Project - Ghana Office

The Finance Officer-CHANGE is responsible for preparing Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded “Championing Nutrition and Gender Equality (CHANGE)” project detailed  financial plans, implementing the plans, controls, monitoring and reporting of financial operations and management. This includes preparing financial statements, project budgets,  payroll, personnel administration timely and accurate processing of all accounting transactions, maintaining cash controls, maintaining accounts payable, validation of receipts, vouchers and financial data, and preparing financial reports, facilitating procurement and general services including transport/logistics, and maintenance. He/she is also responsible for project field office financial reports review, collation, reporting and financial compliance.

This role includes, but not limited to:

A. Financial Planning & Budgeting – 30% of Time

• Facilitate and review for quality, accuracy and completeness for partner budgets and country office project forecast, including the annual budgeting exercise in consultation with the Project Manager-CHANGE and COFM
• Review partner’s monthly financial report and give feedback
• Support the preparation of project’s annual, quarterly and monthly implementation plans including budget and cash flow forecast & variance analysis)
• Responsible for oversight on all funds flowing to the CO including to various Partners.
• Review regular financial reports from Partner and follow up on significant budget variances or reporting deadline issues in consultation with Project Manager-CHANGE and COFM
• Prepare and share quarterly utilization, variance and burn-rate reports
• Ensure that project expenses are kept at efficient levels at all times

 B. Cash Flow Administration - 25% of Time

• Prepares detailed project budget and develops monthly, quarterly and annual cash budget and/cash flow
• Working with support and guidance of CHANGE Project Manager and CO Finance Manager, allocate project budgets and facilitate transfers to beneficiary partners
• Ensure that all documents-requests, retirements, invoices, payment records, receipts, bank statements, reconciliations- etc are filled appropriately per donor and CB’s internal policy
• Ensures proper coding of expenditures and make necessary measures timely to assure quality of data
• Review employee travel and other advance requests, purchase requests and advise on fund availability, timing and assign budget codes to requests for recommendation by the CO Finance Manager.
• Process and follow up on employee advances, review retirements and prepare reconciliation of employee accounts receivables on monthly basis.
• Receive cash refunds by staff and deposit into CO project bank account

C. Procurement & Administrative Support – 10% of Time

• Process payments and documents such as invoices, bills, journal vouchers, purchase orders, accounts payable, etc.
• Maintaining a cheque register and ensure that vendors or service providers acknowledge receipts for all payments made.
• Keep accurate inventory records and monitor usage of all supplies and other inventory.

D. Compliance Monitoring & Reporting - 35% of Time

• Follow-up, review and collate partner’s project reports and report to the CO Finance Manager and CHANGE Project Manager.
• In consultation with the Project Manager and Technical Officers, facilitate quarterly monitoring of project activities, finances and other adhoc monitoring visits.
• Provide training, coaching and guidance for partner office finance staff on acceptable reporting standards, templates and formats to ensure compliance
• Enter, update, and/or retrieve accounting data and transactions from Intacct accounting software to acceptable templates
• Post financial transactions and data to appropriate accounts in the Intacct accounting software according based on technical guidance from the CO Finance Manager
• Receive all incoming funds (from staff & external sources) and ensure they are deposited in the CO bank accounts and receipted.
• Prepare bank reconciliation and country office month end financial reports for review by the CO Finance Manager
• Report any financial and operational risk issues and internal control breaches, including negligence and fraud, and non-compliance issues to the CD and/or the Director, F&A and/or the Director, Internal Audit as appropriate, including recommended actions. Follow up on the completion and implementation of approved action plans, monitoring progress until fully resolved
• Prepare and submit reports to all local legislative authorities in the prescribed manner in adherence to applicable taxation laws including income tax and professional tax implications.

E. Others:

• Comply with all CB policies and procedures
• Perform other duties assigned by immediate Supervisor/representative

Required Skills or Experience

The ideal candidate possesses:

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics and Auditing; Professional certifications in finance, accounting and auditing will be an asset.  
• 6 years’ progressive work experience related to finance, accounting and auditing experience including at least 3 years in similar role.
• Experience in strategic and operational financial planning
• Hands on experience in planning and preparing organizational budgets for multiple programs
• Demonstrated understanding of accounting processes, audit scope, planning and procedures.
• Strong information management and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of regulations related to finance, accounting (IFRS, budget) & taxation laws
• Ability to pre-empt and prevent fraud and corruption
• Strong computer skills, experience working with Intacct- accounting software including excel and reporting
• Experience working on Global Affairs Canada funded projects an asset
• Excellent oral and written skills in English with ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work under pressure and within guidelines
• Ability to manage the arduous physical and emotional strains of the job
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new system procedures as they are introduced
• Excellent in interpersonal, collaborative influence, Conflict Management and Negotiation skills
• A strong team player, able to be a member of different teams at the same time
• Fluent in English with strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to travel to Partner offices & communities as needed
• Commitment to CB's Vision, Mission and Values

Attributes, Traits, and Behaviors

• Tenacious with deadlines: result-oriented. Demonstrated willingness and ability to accept and apply new methods and techniques in performance of work. Demonstrated team-orientation, customer service behavior and attitude
• Demonstrated flexibility with changing demands and priorities of the job; a multi-tasker
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Works effectively independently and in a team setting.  
• Demonstrated initiative; takes prompt action to accomplish objectives, takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required and is proactive Good organisational skills; attention to detail
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and exposure
• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement

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