Finance and Admin Manager

Title: Finance and Admin Manager

Reports to: Director, EU

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Salary: €66,700 – €76,560 annum

Travel: 10%

About NEF

Since 1915, NEF has supported community-led economic and social development in Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus. As a non-profit international development organization, NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to reduce poverty, create economic opportunity, increase resilience, and empower conflict, climate- and crisis-affected people to improve their outlook and wellbeing. Our programs span three focal areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate Resilient Development, and Peace and Stability.

NEF works through a network of country offices and with local partners, with current or recent operations in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our global headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY, London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium.

Summary of Role

The Finance and Admin Manager, plays a critical role in supporting NEF Belgium’s financial and administrative operations. Reporting to the Director, EU, this position is responsible for maintaining accurate and timely accounting records, managing financial reporting, and supporting both internal and external audit processes. The role includes managing accounts payable and receivable, preparing salary allocations, ensuring compliance with donor regulations, and assisting with budgeting, payroll, and employee benefits. Additionally, the Finance and Admin Manager serves as a key liaison for financial matters between NEF Belgium, local country offices, and external partners, contributing to the organization’s strategic goals and operations. The Finance and Admin Manager, will directly participate in a matrix structure, serving as a liaison to global colleagues and finance function team members.

Responsibilities

Accounting:

• Ensure NEF Belgium accounting entries are processed on an accurate and timely basis;
• Review and perform reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts for NEF Belgium on a monthly basis and ensure that discrepancies are identified and resolved;
• Prepare salary allocations for NEF Belgium in accordance with NEF policies;
• Work with the global finance team to support inter-affiliate transactions and the month end close process;
• Maintain Banking relationships, prepare and process bank transfer requests for review and approval of VP of Finance;
• Manage accounts payable and receivable;
• Provide cash flow projections on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

Financial reporting and support to auditing processes:

• Review, consolidation and finalisation of reports coming from local country offices for Donor-funded contracts;
• Ensure reports are accurate and compliant with Donor rules and regulations;
• Carrying out regular analysis of programme financial data (budget monitoring, etc.) and acting as an early warning system to limit financial risks;
• Be the main focal point for Donor-driven auditing and due diligence processes and ensure requests are addressed in a timely manner;
• Prepare monthly financial reports for NEF Belgium at the project and organizational level, including quarterly financial reports for the Board of Directors;
• Produce NEF Belgium yearly closure of accounts and liaise with external auditors for yearly audit process.

Budgeting:

• Support Program Development teams in the preparation of budgets for projects using appropriate budgeting tools;
• Build NEF Belgium annual budget;
• Align financial resources with strategic development to ensure organizational agility.

Admin:

• Prepare and support the processing of monthly payroll for NEF BE headquarters;
• Partners with the VP of People to ensure the maintenance of NEF BE benefits structure meets both financial objectives and benefits and services; serve as first point of contact for benefit questions;
• Liaise with relevant local authorities as well as upon needs with lawyers, secrétariat social, etc.;
• Ensure requirements linked to NEF Belgium registration as an AISBL are up-to-date;
• Support NEF Belgium in-country registrations and ensure subsequent requirements are met;
• Support upon needs with other NEF Belgium related matters.

Miscellaneous:

• Support NEF Belgium colleagues with accurate filling of expenses reports;
• As part of the Global Finance team of the Near East Foundation, contribute to the revision of relevant procedures, processes, policies, systems and tools as well as ensure that those are adapted to the local (Belgium) practices and regulations;
• Train teams on procurement and financial systems and policies (including specific finance and admin Donor compliance or NEF Belgium portfolio of Donors).

Essential Qualifications

We encourage all individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to succeed within this position and thrive at NEF to apply for this role, even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance required;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in accounting required;
• Proficient in Word and Excel;
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Dutch; French is highly desirable;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Strong organizational and analytical skills;
• Able to read and understand technical forms and financial reports;
• Willingness to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be legally authorized to work in Belgium without company sponsorship, now or in the future.

How to apply

NEF BE will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on October 13, 2024. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language to the Near East Foundations careers page at https://neareast.bamboohr.com/careers/410?source=aWQ9OA%3D%3D :

1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• Workplace Verification Check.

Benefits

NEF Belgium offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: 25 Annual Leave Days, 11 Holidays; employer paid private medical, dental and, vision coverage for the employee; private pension with 8% employer contribution, and more!

NEF’s strength is its people. Our team is our fuel to achieving the innovation, quality programming, community focus, mutual trust, sustainability, and learning needed to realize our mission. To help our team thrive, we support a working structure that prioritizes flexibility, personal commitments, and staff well-being while promoting a work culture of teamwork, collaboration, respect, integrity, and excellence.

As an international organization, we value a truly diverse workforce and prioritize a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We strive to create a high-achieving work environment informed by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in all we do, our aim is to ensure that people feel heard, protected, and empowered to contribute to NEF’s mission from day one.