Finance and Operations officer – London United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Job Purpose and Role

The position holder will report directly to the Deputy Director Finance & Administration. The Finance and Operations officer will be responsible for reviewing the overall accounts to ensure that all financial transactions have been properly conducted. They will also ensure that the finance department has maintained proper books of accounts. Additionally, they will assist the Financial Controller in managing the Afghanaid HO, provincial, and London finance team in accordance with Afghanaid financial and accounting practices, and produce and submit timely and accurate reports and budgets in line with Afghanaid requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement financial policies and procedures in line with UK charity regulations and guidelines.
2. Manage the day-to-day financial operations of the London Office including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
3. Assist in the preparation of financial statements (monthly management and annual statutory accounts) and reports, generate ad hoc reports as per organizational requirements, ensuring compliance with UK charity law and accounting standards.
4. Support month-end procedures and financial closure by assisting in various activities such as reconciling general ledger accounts, generating cost pool reports, reviewing core costs and fringe benefits. Analyse common/shared costs among projects based on the cost allocation policy.
5. Coordinate with external auditors and regulatory bodies to ensure the charity’s financial records are accurate and up to date.
6. Provide financial analysis and advice to support decision-making and strategic planning for the charity’s operations in Afghanistan.
7. Manage the procurement and logistics processes for the charity’s operations in the UK, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and local regulations.
8. Oversee the implementation of internal controls and risk management procedures to safeguard the charity’s assets and resources.
9. Collaborate with the operations team in Afghanistan to ensure efficient and effective use of resources, and to address any financial or operational challenges that may arise.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education & Professional Qualification

CCAB Recognised ACCA/ CIMA/ACA qualified / Diploma in Charity Accounting / CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance & Accounting or substantial equivalent experience.

Work Experience

Strong practical/applied understanding of charity finance and the management of restricted and unrestricted income. Experience of managing payroll.

Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes

Afghanaid seeks a responsible and dependable finance and operations officer with strong initiative, judgment and adaptability as well as excellent skills in communication, organisational, interpersonal relations, decision-making, financial management and reporting.

Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:

• Willingness to travel to Afghanistan is required for 20% of the time, with a gradual decrease in travel time starting from the second year.
• Proficiency in computer software including accounting packages, MS Office etc.
• Working knowledge of budget development, monitoring & control as well as financial reporting and analysis.
• Ability to deal with difficult, often challenging work situations.
• Behavioural role model for peers and fellow team members.
• Able to work with significant levels of autonomy and meet tight deadlines.
• A results-oriented approach managing personal workload and to delivering work priorities
• Creativity and innovation in conceptual and analytical thinking
• Sensitivity to gender issues.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, as well as the ability to create meaningful insights from financial and other data (written and oral).
• Personal integrity, sense of humour, intuitive and self-motivation
• Knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses, active listener
• Proven management ability and strong interpersonal skills – team player
• A willingness to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly dangerous locations
• Problem solving skills

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff is passionate about and proud Afghanaid. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions. Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to move up in their career.