Finance Coordinator Full-Time

Solidarites International (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI’s interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in some twenty countries, the SI teams – 2500 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers – intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

About the Mission

Solidarités International intervened in Mozambique in March 2019 for a few months following the passage of Cyclone Idai, which hit the Province of Sofala and the city of Beira hard. Operations were suspended after the emergency phase and the mission closed. The evolution of the situation in Cabo Delgado province, hit by several cyclones and severely affected by the violent actions of armed groups claiming to be IS, which caused the displacement of nearly 700 000 people, led to an assessment in May 2021 and to the reopening of the mission. The assessment carried out in the most affected district highlighted needs, particularly in the WASH sector, and the lack of emergency actors. The mission has opened in a complex security and administrative environment, where access is a major issue.

Solidarités International was one of the first INGO actors to respond to the growing crisis in Cabo Delgado, leading emergency response and distributions in hard-to-reach areas.

Solidarités International (SI) is an international non-profit organization that responds globally to natural or man-made disasters with the aim of providing meaningful aid to people in life-threatening situations. In Northern Mozambique SI is at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, providing crucial assistance to populations affected by conflicts, violence, epidemics, natural or climate-related disasters, and economic collapse. Committed to safeguarding lives, SI’s dedicated teams address the most vital needs of communities facing threats by delivering essential services such as food, water, sanitation, hygiene, outbreak prevention/control and camp management. As a key actor in emergency response, SI not only distributes immediate aid on the ground but also seeks sustainable, longer-term solutions. This multifaceted approach ensures that affected populations regain access to critical resources in a dignified manner. SI’s overarching objectives lie in safeguarding the dignity, and autonomy of the communities it serves. By blending rapid response capabilities with a commitment to build resilience, SI exemplifies its mission to make a positive impact on the challenges brought by crises in Northern Mozambique.

About the Job

General objective:

The finance coordinator will direct all administrative, accounting and financial services associated with the mission.
As coordinator, he/she is responsible for guaranteeing the financial balance of the mission and for ensuring that all Solidarités International procedures, donor procedures and all laws of the country in which Solidarités International is intervening are respected.
He/she is the point of reference for the mission, and the link between headquarters and the mission for all matters relating to management, accounting and budget monitoring.

Analysis of the socio-economic context

• Identify administrative partners.
• Monitor the development of exchange rates and prices.

Team management

• Work with administrators to define administrative personnel needs during the mission and recruit according to allocated resources and Solidarités International’s operational strategy.
• Coordinate, plan and supervise the activities of the financial administrative team.

Financial, accounting and budgetary management

• Define the expenditure cycle and authorization thresholds and ensure compliance with the purchase validation cycle.
• Complete the consolidation of monthly Budget follow up and ensure that the mission remains financially stable.
• Monitor the mission’s operating costs.
• Train the mission’s senior staff in how to use the Budget Follow up.
• Prepare and assist with possible audits or inspections.
• Prepare and consolidate the financial sections of proposals.
• Integrate the new donor contracts into the financial management of the mission’s projects, adhering to Solidarités International procedures.

Administrative management of the mission

• Negotiate and draw up partnership contracts with local partners and ensure that they are followed and complied with.
• Supervise paper and digital record-keeping, as well as ensuring the security of administrative documents.
• Supervise the quarterly mailing of administrative archives to headquarters after validation of the Internal Control Department.
• Select and contract a lawyer who will examine legal issues and limit any legal risks.

Cash management

Reporting/communication

• Produce financial reports that are in line with financial donors’ administrative procedures.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the administrative authorities at the national level. Carry out constant judicial monitoring, keep up-to-date with local employment laws, check information collected with law firms and insert it into Solidarités International’s documentation.
• Take part in meetings relating to administrative aspects, represent Solidarités International when asked/delegated to do so.
• Act as a link between headquarters and the field for all matters relating to finance.

Your Profile

Education/ academic background:

• Financial Management, Accountancy, Applied Informatics or other relevant domains.
• 5 years or more in the humanitarian sector.
• 5 years or more on a similar position.

Specific skills and experience:

• Financial Reporting and Analysis: The ability to prepare accurate financial reports (such as for donors and internally, cash requests, cash flow statements) and re-allocate expenses to ensure adequate and compliant utilization of funds. This includes understanding financial ratios and donor rules, as well as utilizing experience and creativity for problem solving.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Proficiency in developing and managing budgets, as well as forecasting future financial performance. This involves analyzing past financial data to predict future income and expenditures, helping the organization plan its financial strategy and advise about relevant actions for the financial sustainability of the mission.
• Regulatory Compliance and Accounting Principles: Knowledge of applicable financial regulations, standards, and accounting principles while ensuring all teams are complying with these regulations to avoid ineligible costs and maintain integrity.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The capacity to adapt to rapidly changing situations and find innovative solutions to complex challenges. This is crucial in emergency response and development projects where unexpected issues and challenges frequently arise.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Proficiency in communicating effectively across different cultures and languages, which is vital in international WASH and shelter programs. This skill ensures respectful, efficient, and effective engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and team members from diverse backgrounds.
• Leadership and Team Management: The ability to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team of professionals and volunteers. This includes motivating team members, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative working environment.
• Leadership and Team Management: The ability to inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team of professionals both locals and expats. This includes motivating team members, resolving conflicts, and fostering a collaborative working environment.

Language:

• English.
• Spanish or Portuguese will be an asset.

SI Will Offer You

A salaried position:

• According to experience, starting from EUR 2860 gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 750.
• SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.
• Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.
• Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

Living Conditions

• Individual, comfortable room in the guesthouse, with electricity 24/7.
• Internet and Phone network available.
• Restaurants and international food are available.

Living conditions in Pemba are very good with an easy access to a wide range of restaurants, cafes…

Security risks are low, and restrictions are very limited.

However, when going on the field bases, living conditions are more basic, with fewer opportunities for socialization, as well as some individual movements’ restrictions. Security levels vary according to the different geographical locations and changes of context.