Based in Maroua, the Finance/Administration Team Leader under the hierarchical supervision of the Area Manager is responsible for the management of accounting, finance and administration for the area offices. He/she works under the technical link of the Finance Manager based in Yaoundé and ensures that all expenditures are in compliance with DRC regulations, donor requirements, as well as the national legal framework. 

He/she ensures that all transactions are correctly recorded in the accounting system (Dynamics) and strictly respects the deadlines set for accounting closing (weekly, monthly and annual).

He/she is responsible for strengthening the capacities of the accounting/finance team but also of other members of the DRC team based in Maroua and Kousseri (logistics team, project teams, etc.).

3. Responsibilities

A- Ensure that DRC procedures are compliant with DRC regulations, donor guidelines and the national legal framework in the area 

• Train new employees in the organization’s accounting and financial rules, set up refresher training at least once a year and on each base and sub-base;
• Apply the new accounting and financial rules shared by the finance coordination in Yaoundé;
• Ensure that accounting and financial documentation complies with DRC regulations and donor guidelines;
• Monitor reforms related to the country’s financial law and ensure the proper management of tax declarations in its area;
• Participate in the development of the DSF for taxes

B- Accounting and treasury management

• Supervise the recording of all accounting transactions in the DYNAMICS ERP;
• Be responsible for the quality of the accounting closing (banks, cash registers and ODs) and compliance with deadlines for the Maroua office and sub-bases;
• Supervise weekly and monthly reconciliations of cash registers and bank accounts (conduct regular random checks);
• Ensure strict separation of tasks between members of the finance team (for example, a transfer slip for cash management must be systematically drawn up when the person in charge changes: departure on leave, sick leave, absence, etc.);
• Be responsible for the quality of archiving (physical and digital) of accounting and financial documents;
• Compile the cash request monthly in collaboration with the PMs and MEAL and SC team leaders and transmit it to the finance coordination;
• Prepare the bi-weekly cash request to be submitted to the Yaoundé office;
• Ensure that the Far North Zone office has the necessary cash to guarantee the implementation of activities;
• Ensure that the treasury and bank management policy is correctly applied, and that the delegation of signatories (DRC bank accounts) is systematically updated;
• Participate in the weekly support meeting to present the progress of the finance department but also to collect precise information on upcoming payments;
• Plan payments and ensure that DRC vendors/providers and coaches are paid within a reasonable time frame.

C- Collaboration with the human resources department

• In conjunction with the HR Officer, before transmitting the monthly payroll, ensure that DRC HR procedures are applied (report any anomalies to the area manager);
• Participate in meetings with the CNPS and the Maroua Tax Center in collaboration with the Finance and HR departments of the Yaoundé office;
• Participate in visits and/or audits by the CNPS and the Tax Center.

D- Administrative management

• Plan, monitor and pay area rental contracts;
• Supervise the arrival of visitors (regional office, coordination office) with the administrative staff in Yaoundé.

E- Financial management

• Participate in the development of the annual budget for the zone offices;
• Train budget managers (initial training + refresher) on their role and responsibility in financial management (validation of DAs, validation of payment requests, monitoring and completion of the BFU, preparation of the budget for calls for proposals, preparation of budget amendments, etc.);
• Organize a monthly budget follow-up meeting (BFU) in the presence of the area manager, operational teams (PM/team leader) and the logistics team leader to review financial allocations of previous expenses and to adjust forecast expenses;
• Participate in the development of the budget for the new donors’ proposal;
• Participate in the preparation of financial reports in compliance with donor requirements (interim and final financial reports);
• Ensure that documentation and explanations requested by auditors are provided appropriately and in a timely manner for all area related expenses;
• Communicate to the area manager and to the Yaoundé finance coordination any financial information that could have an impact on the program.

F- Partner management

• Participate in the “vetting” of potential partners (assessment of accounting and financial capacities);
• Ensure that DRC partners are trained (initial training and refresher training) to effectively implement DRC guidelines and donor requirements;
• Verify partners’ financial reports and ensure that all supporting documents comply with DRC regulations and donor requirements;
• Carry out a random check of partners’ expenses (internal control).

•  Required qualifications

  Experience and skills required

  • At least four years of experience in a financial department (preferably in an international NGO) including 1 year in a management position
  • Good communication and excellent interpersonal skills
  • An attitude oriented towards problem solving and finding solutions
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision and achieve set objectives within given time frames.
  • Ability to work under pressure and irregular working hours.

  Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business management
  • Excellent command of Excel
  • Proficiency in Word and Outlook
  • ERP experience desired

  LANGUAGES :

  • Complete professional mastery of French required.
  • Good level of English a plus.
  • Knowledge of the local language (Mafa, Haoussa, Fufuldé, etc.)