Finance and HR Officer (nationals only)

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is the leading Swiss organisation for children’s aid. Through our health, protection, and emergency relief programs, we provide assistance to over four million children and their families in around 40 countries each year. Terre des hommes (Tdh) opened its Syria mission in 2021 and through 2022 we started to establish its operations with a small team based in Damascus. Currently, we are looking for dynamic team members who will help us to develop our mission and support operations in Rural Damascus and other areas of intervention.

General description of the position:

In his/her capacity as representative Tdh, the Finance and Admin Officer is responsible to organize financials and administrative activities for the base of Damascus and provide support to the project(s) being implemented.

S/he supports and implements the admin procedures respecting Tdh mandate and commitments and international standards.

The incumbent will conduct his or her duties in accordance with the Charter of Terre des hommes and the Tdh Child Safeguarding Policy.

Terre des hommes expects its personnel to behave in accordance with local culture and traditions. The incumbent assures the moral protection of the name of Terre des hommes and upholds in all circumstances the interests of the organization.

Tdh intervenes without any affiliation to politics, religion or financial profit. The incumbent will direct his or her activities and engagements without preoccupation of political, racial or religious affiliation.

Main responsibilities :

Internal Control Over Financial and Administrative Issues

• Cash-flow planning and handling of cash payments for Damascus office
• Prepare monthly treausury request to send to HQ
• Preparation and entering of transactions into the corresponding cash or bank books in Excel, including coding, and budget lines
• Management of open advances and advance clearance process
• Monitor due dates for payments of contracts
• Translate accounting documents when and if necessary
• Manage transfers between banks, safe and cashboxes in location.
• Prepare monthly salary list for bank transfers
• Archive accounting records according to Tdh procedures after a final verification of receipts etc.
• Prepare monthly closing, revision and integrity of accounts for the base
• Participate in audits or any checks issued at the base level
• Participate in the consolidation of budget follow ups and cash forecasts at the base level
• Verify cash balances daily and report any discrepancies to superior
• Guarantee security of the cash and confidentiality of information

Human Resources

• Participate in the recruitment process
• Prepare the contracts and JD
• Pay tax and Social insurance

Reporting

• Monthly submission of cashbooks for approval by the line manager
• Monthly reporting on advances management
• Monthly bank and cash reconciliation and ensure signature from relevant team members.
• Weekly bank reconciliation with the country representative
• Weekly cash count with the country representative

Personnal and Team Management

• Liaise regularly with program teams to ensure smooth running of operations and timely execution of funds transfers
• Liaise with and assist other departments with regards to coding and budget lines for expenses
• Provide professional guidance to team members
• Welcome and participate in administrative briefing of new personnel
• Assist the finance manager for the administrative management of recruitment and hiring
• Participate in the organization of training

Networking / External Coordination

• Liaison with the corresponding government departments to ensure compliance with the regulations
• Liaison with consultants or other service providers to ensure information required by them is provided accurately and in a timely manner, such as but not limited to, auditors, lawyers
• In general, make sure that a positive and professional image of Tdh is conveyed. In particular, ensure that Tdh’s mandate, thematic policies, ethics, values and views are followed in relation to third parties.

Job requirements:

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in humanitarian projects
• Diploma or degree in economics, business administration, business management or similar
• Fluency in English, Arabic is essential
• Experience with opening new offices and setting up the administrative procedures
• Knowledge of labour law of the countryThorough understanding of the banking and cash handling practices
• Management capacity and excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and resilience skills.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of financial systems and procedures.
• Practical computer skills in Microsoft Excel & Word.
• Numerate and analytical with attention to detail
• Strong organization skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines
• Team player, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary