INTERPEACE

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FINANCE SUPPORT OFFICER, ABIDJAN

Description du poste

Desired Start-date: As soon as possible

Interpeace is an international organisation for peacebuilding that strengthens the ability of societies to
manage conflict themselves in sustainable and non-violent ways. Interpeace designs and delivers its work
tailored to each situation in partnership with local partners and communities, based on extensive
consultation and research. Interpeace also ensures that the processes of conflict management and change
that it supports are integrated at all levels of society including local communities, civil society, government
and the international community (we call it a ‘Track 6’ approach).
Interpeace was originally established by the United Nations and remains a strategic partner. Beyond fieldbased
peacebuilding, Interpeace also assists the international community – particularly the UN – to be
more effective in supporting peacebuilding efforts worldwide. This includes contributing innovative
thought leadership on peacebuilding policies and practices. Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva and
has offices around the world.
For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organization
The Finance Support Officer (FSO) is a member of the Global Operations Unit which encompasses Finance,
Administration, Internal Audit, IT and HR. The Global Operations Unit is led from the Headquarters Office
in Geneva, although team members are based in different locations around the world.
Under regular supervision from the Finance Manager for West Africa, the Finance Support Officer works
closely with administration staff, programme staff and partners staff to create a more efficient and
effective Finance function in West Africa for an agile, responsive and high performance Interpeace.The Finance Support Officer is responsible for supporting the financial performance of Interpeace’s office
in Abidjan. This includes accounting, internal controls, audits, budget management, financial reporting,monitoring and capacity building.

The Finance Support Officer maintains complete and accurate financial records. In coordination with the
programme and operations team, the FSO supports the development, implementation, monitoring,
reporting and auditing of project budgets. S/He ensures that assigned project budgets are implemented
according to Interpeace policies and procedures and in compliance with donor regulations. S/He also works
closely with the Finance Manager in West Africa and the Regional Finance Coordinator (based remotely)
to closely monitor the cost coverage of the programme and/or offices in the assigned areas to anticipate
potential risk and financial gaps.
The Finance Support Officer plays an important role in monitoring and supporting the implementation of
the approved budgets, overseeing compliance with internal policies, donor regulations and local and fiscal
regulations.
This position requires to consult with and/or coordinate activities with internal and external actors.
Guided by the Finance Manager, a successful Finance Support Officer will:

1. Maintain and deliver accurate and complete accounting information and documentation, ensure it
is posted in the accounting software (QB) and/or ERP (SunSystems) in a timely manner and including
internal procedures (recruitment, procurement, etc.)
2. Achieve unqualified project and statutory Audits and on time donor and internal financial reports
3. Budget monitoring: produce and distribute Budget versus Actuals (BvA) reports with detail analysis
on potential risks.
4. Deliver on a monthly basis, timely, accurate and complete reviewed set financial records and
supporting documents for the partners and/or office assigned through the online tool for
consolidation.
5. Follow up on the implementation of the internal controls recommendations until resolved (monthly
checks, internal and external audits, internal reviews, etc.)
6. With the guidance of the Finance Manager and the Regional Finance Coordinator, optimize
Interpeace’s performance by reviewing policies and procedures, providing training to staff and/or
partners, monitoring financials or assessing risk within the partners and/or offices assigned.

Budget Management
 Check monthly that the final booked expenses are in line with Approved budgets (including cost
sharing) and that resources are utilized in line with the approved budgets and donor requirements.
 At year end, prepare Partner draft Financial Statements for the consolidated Audit. Coordinate any
Statutory or Donor audits and, with the assistance of the (Officer and Coordinator), respond to
audit queries.
 Monitor that organizational performance actions stated in the Summary of Outstanding Audit
Recommendations Report for the assigned partner/s are implemented until issues are resolved.
 Prepare Cash Transfer Request (CTR) for the Abidjan office based on budget availability and ensure
funds are utilized according to approved plan (CTR). Update estimates included in the CTR in
discussion with relevant programme teams.
 Monitor that expenditures are processed and authorized according to Interpeace Delegation of
Authority and other policies.
 Monitor compliance with grant funding requirements (e.g. donor rules and regulations as eligibility
of expenditures).
 Prepare grant expense reports for all the projects implemented at the designated geographical area
and ensure accuracy with SunSystems before they are submitted to any external party.
 Participate in Programme team meetings and contribute to Programme strategy, activity planning
and Programme development as requested.

Office accounting
 Review all source documentation for income and expenditure to ensure compliance with
Interpeace financial rules and procedures.
 Draw up payment vouchers and receipts for all expenditures and incomes and ensure proper
authorization of payment vouchers.
 Enter all transactions into QB or Sunsystems.
 Process travel advances and follow up to ensure their subsequent liquidation.
 Operate banking services.
 Update the Fixed Assets database with new/disposed assets and ensure that all assets have
insurance coverage.
 Update the Personnel & Logistics database.
 Review all local expenses for billing purposes and Manage Accounts Payable to ensure all local
payments comply with policy requirements.
 Prepare the payroll for the office staff and ensure that all statutory deductions have been correctly
made.
 Ensure compliance with Local Tax Laws in relation to statutory requirements relating to financial
statements, periodic reporting and tax filings across all taxes.
 Reconcile all local bank accounts and constantly review banking arrangements to ensure timely
transfer of funds and minimize exchange loses and bank charges.
 Reconcile all Balance Sheet accounts and follow up to clear non-current items.
 Prepare Draft Financial Statements for and supporting schedules as requested by the auditors and
act as the focal point for the auditors during Statutory and Donor/Programme audits.
 Monitor the implementation and clearance of internal and external audit issues and
recommendations.
 Conducting Petty Cash Spot checks on a regular basis.
 Maintain local fixed asset register.
 Upload QuickBooks back-ups and Financial reports on SharePoint monthly.

Management of Personnel and Resources
 Supervises, coaches, and develops interns, accountant or assistant
 Creates an enabling and inclusive work environment that fosters learning and innovation,
demonstrating gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes

Others
 Participate in proposal development team meetings and contribute by providing technical
guidance/suggestions to proposal development, activity planning, interpretation of donor
requirements etc.
 Maintain updated contractual documentation for grant implementation (project
proposals/budgets (ProDocs) and grant agreements or relevant documentation) at SharePoint
(DRD, Project Connect, etc.)
 Assist Headquarters in the review of existing policies and procedure and in the development of new
procedures, including internal controls

Profil du poste

Education
 Degree in Business Administration, finance, or related field from a recognized University
 Accounting certification (partial or full CPA or equivalent)

Experience
 A first experience in finance and accounting in a not-for-profit setting
 Experience with computerized accounting software, preferably QuickBooks and ERPs, preferably
SunSystems
 A first experience conducting capacity-building for partner organisations on financial systems and
good financial practices
 A first experience in financial bookkeeping

Competencies
 High level of IT proficiency in use of all MS Office applications
 Thorough understanding of finance and accounting matters preferably within the not-for-profit
sector
 Advanced accounting knowledge and operating capacity
 Advanced understanding of budget management; financial internal controls; source
documentation verification; preparation of payment vouchers; and procurement processes
 Ability to foresee risks and develop contingency plans
 Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate gender-responsive
and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes
 Excellent written and oral communication skills in French. Working knowledge of English is desired
 Strong commitment to supporting local peace building initiatives and to the values and working
principles of Interpeace

Interpeace Competencies
 Collaboration and Weaving
 Communication
 Driver for Results
 Adaptability and Continuous learning
 Respect for Diversity

Other requirements
 Ability to travel within and outside the country on short notice

Dossiers de candidature

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete curriculum vitae and a letter of interest
to recruitment-wa@interpeace.org  no later than 05 October 2020. “Finance Support Officer” MUST BE
included in the subject line of the application email to be considered.
Please note that due to high volume of applications, ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted.