Project Accountant – CEFA Somalia

CEFA (European Committee for Training and Agriculture) is currently recruiting a CEFA – Project Accountant – Somalia to join its operations in Somalia.

Application deadline: 22/02/2024.

Contract duration: 12 months (with the possibility of renewal).

Salary (monthly): 800 USD

Starting date: March 2024

Duty station: Garowe, Puntland

CEFA – the European Committee for Training and Agriculture – is an Italian NGO, which was established in 1972 and is currently active in 10 countries across Africa, Latin America and Europe. CEFA lays its foundation on the principles of solidarity and cooperation between the different regions of the world in the name of Justice, Human rights and peace. CEFA believes in the development of communities and local institutions, aiming to improve families’ living conditions and communities’ economies through capacity building, awareness raising and advocacy for the protection of vulnerable person’s and their fundamental human rights.

The accountant will work on the project BRIDGES – “Building Reconciliation and Peace through Inclusive Dialogue, Gender Equality, Sport and Protection of Cultural Heritage”, funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of three partners. The activities are implemented in Mudug, Nugaal and Sool region, Puntland, and Galmudug States of Somalia. The aim of the action is to promote peace and reconciliation processes, foster freedom of expression and encourage a Human Rights and inclusion culture, led by Somali civic society actors, especially women and youth.

Objectives and general characteristics of the position:

• (S)he is in charge of the day-to-day cash management, transaction recording and accounting system updating on a daily basis and for ensuring correctness of support documentation for the BRIDGES project.
• (S)he will report to the Project Manager (PM) and collaborate with the Administration Manager for all financial and accounting-related activities.

Detailed assignments:

Book-keeping, Finance and Budgeting

• Ensure that monthly accounting documents from the field locations are sent to Nairobi within the set date of each month and are verified, recorded and properly filed;
• Receive, verify, and properly file the accounting documents of the project’s partners;
• Prepares the financial reporting for the assigned project, supervise/coordinate the field staff in order to receive the documentation and submit the monthly reporting to the PM’s as per agreed timelines;
• Prepare and post all project related financial transactions into CEFA’s Accounting System and ensure the proper allocation of costs according to the information received by the PM;
• Prepare monthly funds requisitions for the project based on the work plan
• Ensuring that all cash, checkbooks, and financial records are properly stored and safely secured at all times.
• Maintains filing system for the finance department.
• Comply with CEFA and donor’s financial procedures and help field staff to understand and work with them as needed;
• Support the PM in maintaining monthly bank and cash reconciliations and ensuring the trial balances are reconciled every month;
• Deal with the management and disbursement of petty cash, in line with CEFA internal policies and procedures and in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Maintain an up-to-date Inventory register for the project and ensure all assets are properly tagged. He/she also ensures that a physical review is done regularly to ensure that assets are well accounted for and in good working condition.
• Process approved payments in line with the project budget and project/Donor regulations, and CEFA regulation having verified the necessary documentation;
• Provide administrative and financial support for the effective and efficient organization of project activities, such as field visits, missions, workshops, trainings, round tables, conferences;
• Facilitate all audit processes availing documents as needed;
• Provide support in all other financial matters to the PM and administration manager.

Human resources management, legal compliance

• Maintain project staff files as per CEFA Policies;
• Prepare the payrolls and statutory deductions, in line with CEFA ’s internal policies and local norms and legislations, to be submitted to the Project Manager and Administration Manager.
• Ensure timely payment of all statutory taxes to the relevant national authority/institution;

Purchasing and Logistics

• Verifies that Payments due to Suppliers are in line with the approved procurement plan for each project and that the appropriate procedure has been followed;
• Support procurement procedures for the project according to CEFA’s and the donor’s internal policies and regulations, in liaison with the Project Manager and the Logistic Manager;

Management Control

• Follow up with the project’s partners for the timely submission of supporting documents.
• Support in the compilation of the financial reporting for all project partners.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of accounting experience, preferably in humanitarian projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in economics or related fields, or a high school diploma with at least 5 years of work experience.
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English and Somali.
• Excellent knowledge of the Somali context, particularly in the project area (Garowe, Puntland).
• Outstanding proficiency in using the Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience working with European Union as a donor is considered an advantage.
• Experience in the logistics sector is considered an advantage.