Finance Manager

Finance Manager

Reports to Head of Programs | El Salvador | Full time temporary | 9 months |

**This position is pending funding approval

Anticipated start date of May 15, 2022

This is a national position based in El Salvador.

Hello Hello! So you’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here.

When you Join Alight, you’ll find…

A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.

A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.

An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.

If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on!**

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Programs, the Finance Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting unit. They will work closely with the program team to ensure that all financial procedures, controls and accountability mechanisms are in place and maintained for the Alight El Salvador program.

The Team

Alight in El Salvador exists to empower youth and their families to envision and realize a bright future for themselves – a future full of opportunity and free of violence. We do this work through an existing network of Catholic Sisters and the safe spaces they operation. By honoring the work of the Sisters and amplifying the services they provide, Alight helps to build new pathways and narratives for families in El Salvador through livelihoods and protection activities.

Alight has an office in San Salvador and works in the communities of Apopa, La Chacra and Soyapango in San Salvador.

Building a shared organization takes time and intention. We will always be becoming Alight, which means your work will evolve as well. For now, here’s how you could anticipate spending your time:

Accounting and Finance Management **

· Oversee the Alight El Salvador program office in the day-to-day accounting operations

· Ensure accounting operations and financial management functions in field offices are performed in accordance with Alight policy and procedures.

· Develop formats for financial reporting to aid financial statement users to better understand the contents of the reports for decision-making and strategic planning purposes

· Ensure the maintenance of accurate records of financial transactions of the El Salvador program in order to monitor the financial status of project activities

· Oversee the safeguarding of financial documents ensuring internal controls.

· Oversee and ensure that the finance functions meet the financial reporting requirements of in-country management, the donor(s), and the Alight Global standards including ensuring that all financial reports are submitted on or before the deadlines set and contain relevant information for all the users of the financial reports.

· Maintain the system of accounts ensuring all accounting data are monthly updated, reconciled and fully supported

· Assist and/or prepare budgets

· Manage the processing of national payroll ensuring standard financial controls are maintained[AN1] [RO2] , this include an accurate head count, state taxes deduction and remittance, social securities contribution and staff benefits are assessed and recorded correctly

· Ensure payroll reports and cash is distributed to the required locations in time for all staff to be paid on time each month.

· Serve as primary liaison with HR and the field offices on payroll related issues.

· Assist to ensure compliance with internal and donor regulations and procedures; establishing finance and supporting function policies, systems and procedures, and directing or performing their development, documentation, and implementation

· Perform bank account reconciliation and cash count with custodian at the month end and perform surprise counts of petty cash to ensure accuracy and accountability.

· Reconcile the balance sheet accounts, accounts receivable and accounts payables and seek approval for recording any adjustment to the trial balance

· Monitor staff cash advances and review efficiency of advances.

· Ensure accuracy of deposit amounts presented in financial report and ensure completeness and

· proper storage of original deposit slips.

· Monitor, update bank accounts and ensure safe and accountable cash transfers.

· Maintain an up to date inventory list of all Alight office asset

Staff Management

· Ensure teams in the communities’ compliance to local labor laws. Alight policies and procedures are available and well known by all staff, these include but not limit to, delegation of authorities, segregation of duties, conflict of interest to cite few

· Oversee training of staff to increase their understanding of program budget responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs

· If necessary, assist with the recruitment and selection of qualified program community staff, recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with supervisors

· Oversee cash handling procedures including the requirement for two employees to be present to access all petty cash funds.

· Identification of procedural or training issues to be addressed to improve the quality of report data

Donor Reporting/Budgeting

· Be a business partner and facilitate the interdepartmental communication in grant opening meetings and developing a procurement plan

· Prepare draft donor reports for review by the Head of Programs

· Support the program team to prepare monthly Grant Spending Plans[GP3]

· Assist in the analysis of budget-to-actual results and identify and troubleshoot problems in accounting or compliance, help prepare and record appropriate adjustments

· Review of budget v. actual results to ensure maximum utilization of budgeted amounts and to provide recommendations for realignments as required

· Inform Head of Programs and Program Manager of any budget and spending related concerns in a timely manner.

Qualifications

We’re looking for the following education, technical skills, & knowledge:

· At least 5 years’ experience in financial management accounting with an INGO, including supervisory experience.

· Strong computer skills in Microsoft software products: Excel, Word, Outlook etc. and accounting software required. Serenic or Sun experience strongly preferred.

· Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field; or equivalent demonstrated experience; master’s degree preferred.

· Demonstrated strong analytical skills and report writing.

· Experience developing and utilizing complex electronic spreadsheets.

· Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish with aptitude in reporting are mandatory.

Key Behaviors & Abilities**

· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to situations as required due to changes on the ground**

· Highly motivated self-starter who takes direction well, but also works independently.

· Ability to travel to field sites in remote rural areas.

· Keen eye for detail

· Capacity to think ahead and highlight areas of risk and concern

· Pro-active attitude to improving systems

· Flexible, motivated, team player.

· Experience with BHA (formerly OFDA) is welcome.

· Demonstrate commitment to ARC’s core values and policies

Benefits

Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day.

Learning & Development – Access thousands of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals.

Generous Leave Time – Between vacation days, personal leave days, and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.

Additional benefits will be shared during the interview process

Alight

We are on a journey to build Alight, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and with the displaced. WeAreAlight.org

Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Will this continue to be done by our contracted accountant or by the Finance Manager? [AN1] [AN1]

This usually is a duty of an accountant or HR. We can decide according to our budget [RO2]

Should this be prepared by the program people with support from finance? [GP3]