Finance Manager, Libya Programme (based in Tunis) At BBC Media Action

Location: Libya programme currently based in Tunis
Reports to: Country Director, Libya
Contract duration: 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016 (subject to funding)

Application instructions: 

Candidates should send their CV and a covering letter (PDF or Microsoft Word format) which outlines their experience and suitability for the role to [email protected]
This is a local post available to candidates with the right to live and work in Tunisia.
Application deadline: Sunday 22 March 2015 by midnight
 
Job purpose:
Responsible for leading on all aspects of office and project finance functions and financial administration of BBC Media Action, Libya programme currently based in Tunis.

Main duties:

Financial Control

  • Maintaining the financial integrity of the BBC Media Action Libya operations (based in Tunis), and ensuring full compliance with policies and procedures, particularly around cash advances, banking and assets
  • Being the primary source of expertise for BBC Media Action Libya staff, on financial best practice, and control and compliance issues
  • Managing the BBC Media Action’s financial transactions for the Libya programmes based in Tunis
  • Safeguarding the assets of the BBC Media Action Libya operations, including the maintenance of the fixed asset register
  • Ensuring a fair selection of quality vendors and service providers, and fairness and transparency in the awarding of all contracts; overseeing local procurement
  • Undertaking audits and spot checks at different field sites as appropriate 

Financial and management accounting

  • Accurate recording of all income and expenditure. Responsible for maintaining the financial systems for our Libya projects
  • Monthly reporting to the Country Director and London Project Accountant providing fully reconciled reports detailing income, expenditure as well as cash and bank reconciliations.
  • Provision of monthly actual versus budget analysis and other management information that may be required from time to time
  • Preparing cash forecasts to identify monthly funding requirements
  • Budgeting and forecasting for BBC Media Action’s Libya projects
  • Communicate the financial status of projects to relevant staff, in country, using financial reports
  • Ensuring full compliance with in-country laws and regulations including local tax laws
  • Ensuring compliance with all government approvals under various acts applicable to the project
  • Advising the Country Director and others as appropriate on financial and legislative changes that may affect BBC Media Action’s operations

Donor compliance

  • Ensuring compliance with all financial reporting and forecasting requirements of donors and others and ensuring the smooth flow of funds from donors
  • Acting as the main point of contact on financial and administrative matters with donor organisations in Libya and building good working relationships with donor finance officers.
  • Ensuring that expenditure is incurred and reported in line with donor agreements
  • Providing financial guidance to senior management and all project staff and consultants
  • Ensuring effective use of personnel and resources

Management and training

  • Training and developing other finance and project staff on policies, procedures and other finance issues as appropriate.
  • Supervising and providing line management for other administrative, logistics and finance staff employed by BBC Media Action Libya as required.
  • Line management of the finance and admin officer and to support this individual as required

Administration

  • Operation of payroll for all staff in Libya and compliance with in-country tax legislation.
  • Undertaking other occasional duties that the Country Director or the London finance team might request


Required skills, knowledge and experience:

  • Part qualified / qualified accountant.
  • Fluency in English and either Arabic/French is essential
  • At least 3 years working experience at management level within a recognised NGO or INGO
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time. In particular, experience of managing multiple budgets at the same time.
  • Experience of working with and reporting to international donors
  • Good interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships with financial and non-financial managers within the Trust and key stakeholders externally 
  • Able to communicate effectively at all levels within the organisation
  • Excellent IT skills with experience of operating computer-based financial management systems.  Competent to advanced level in Microsoft Excel.
  • Strong team player; able to work effectively under pressure, demonstrate patience to team members, explain financial responsibilities to team members and train others in financial management
  • Willingness and ability to take the initiative in identifying problems, suggesting solutions, and implementing agreed solutions
  • An eye for detail and a concern for accuracy, together with the ability to keep sight of the broad picture
  • Able to work in a fast paced environment.

Key competencies:
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

  • Planning and organisation – Able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
  • Resilience – Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set-backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
  • Decision making – Ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decision made.
  • Influencing and persuading – Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
  • Communication – Ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
  • Managing relationships – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
  • Self-development – Able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development