Background
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 71 countries worldwide, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities. MSF Netherlands in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with the Geo Barents ship.
Scope and objectives of the position
Coordinating and supervising the accounting of the mission (accounting, treasury, audit procedures, etc.) according to the instructions of the Finance Coordinator, and in compliance with legal obligations and MSF standards and protocols in order to provide quality, reliable and transparent information to the organization on the use and allocation of resources in the mission.
Main responsibilities
- Being responsible for quality and timely accounting for the whole mission e.g. cash procedures, bank accounts, receipts and supporting documents, electronic data entry, consolidation of overall mission accounting, monthly closing process and documents, ensuring strict respect of deadlines and strict compliance to MSF guidelines, financial standards and procedures.
- Coordinating and overseeing the monthly and yearly closing of accounts and balance sheet, and reporting the mission's accounting statement through monthly and weekly reports, in order to verify the evolution of project finances and provide information about them.
- Being responsible for the financial management of donor contracts e.g. preparing and verifying the financial reports to donors, following up and analysing the need for amendments. Ensuring reporting conditions are met and stakeholders in the mission are informed of their responsibilities (for example, logistics for stock inventory, quotes).
- Coordinating and overseeing the payment of tax liabilities in order to comply with legal obligations.
- Coordinating and supervising the conduct of local audits relating to accounting, tax, labour, stock and asset management.
- Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required and to improve people's capabilities.
- He/she is the technical reference for any accounting-related issue including compliance with MSF financial standards and procedures, legal compliance, training and support on the MSF accounting software/system.
- When required, briefing all staff involved, on specific accountancy management (Mission Coordination Team, Administration Managers, Logistics Managers, etc).
Specific Accountabilities
Due the unpredictable development of the activities, the Finance and Accountancy Manager should be flexible, pro-active and problem solving. The rotational nature of the mission is such that the effect can indirectly impact on the work flow, mainly because the rest of the team is focused on the port call.
This position is based in Augusta but it could require some travel to the coordination based in Rome. Although this is an on-shore based position there might be a small need to go onboard when the ship is in port.
The Finance Accountancy Manager is the only finance person at project level.
Specific tasks:
- Performing cash/bank transactions, verifying supporting documentation, coding and recording cash/bank transactions on Unifield (UF), and maintaining records according to MSF standards and local finance policies.
- Performing monthly reconciliations before closing the monthly accounts, managing bank reconciliations and monthly bank statements in line with the standard procedure, with due quality and on time.
- Assessing and suggesting mitigation measures of the financial risks of the project.
- In collaboration with the Log department, follow up of the contracts with third parties, their timely payment and renewal.
- Responsible for the financial archive at mission level.
- Monitoring the per diems of all staff, including the staff on board the Geo Barents, staff and visitors on shore.
- In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the Finance/HR coordinator, support on the forecasted of the monthly Budget Control Report (BCR).
- In close collaboration with the Finance/HR coordinator support on the preparation of the financial statement that need to be presented to the local authorities.
Requirements
Education: Desirable University degree in accounting, finance or business administration, essential solid accountancy training and experience, professional accounting qualification.
Experience: Essential 4 years previous experience in a similar relevant position.
Languages: Fluent English speaker C1 level - Preferable Italian speaker B2 – C1 level.
Knowledge: Essential computer literacy (word, excel, internet), local accounting standards, desirable MSF accounting software, ERP system knowledge, local laws.
Competencies: People Management and Development, Commitment to MSF Principles, Behavioural Flexibility, Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation.
Conditions
Contract: Fixed term contract (6 months), full-time. Level 2 of Italian CCNL of Commerce. Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.
Gross Annual Salary: Between 31.192 Euros and 33.064 Euros, depending on the MSF experience of the selected candidate.
Duty Station: Based in the MSF Netherlands Augusta (SR) Sicily office.
Start Date: 02/01/2023.