Senior Finance Officer

Job Description

Organization Overview:

Save the Children, a global organization with approximately 25,000 employees, operates in over 100 countries, providing aid to children affected by crises and addressing healthcare, education, and child protection needs. The organization actively campaigns and advocates for children’s rights at the highest levels, working towards three key goals by 2030:

No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday

All children receive a quality basic education

Violence against children is no longer tolerated

Committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace, Save the Children recognizes the pivotal role its employees play in achieving its ambitions for children.

Save the Children International – Afghanistan:

Having operated in Afghanistan since 1976, Save the Children has brought about lasting change to thousands of children by working closely with communities and adhering to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Job Description: Senior Finance Officer

Location: Sar-e-Pol, Afghanistan

Grade: 4

Contract Length: Fixed-term contract; One year and extendable

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 – Frequent contact with children due to work in country programs or visits.

Role Purpose:

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for ensuring adherence to key financial policies, including payroll, ensuring on-time spending compliant with donor rules and budget forecasts. Collaborating with program colleagues, the officer will oversee real-time spending reviews and maintain high accounting standards. Additionally, they will support the Provincial Head of Office in ensuring liquidity.

Scope of Role:

Reports to: Head of Office

Staff reporting: Finance Assistants & Finance Officer

Close working relationships: Finance, HR, Programme Operations

Budget Responsibilities: None

Key Areas of Accountability:

BvA Circulation:

Prepare and circulate Agresso-generated BvAs to provincial staff weekly for real-time budget monitoring.

Support program staff in analyzing general ledgers to ensure correct transactions in compliance with donor rules.

Follow up on Finance-related action points in monthly AIR meetings at the provincial level.

Check budget lines’ cost allocation before monthly account closing.

Financial Reporting:

Ensure accurate monthly submission of cash forecasts.

Payroll:

Consider changes during the month in payroll, reconciling with new staff bank details forms and exit forms.

Review payroll calculations, including income tax withholding, overtime, allowances, deduction of advances, etc.

Prepare journal vouchers for posting salaries, taxes, severance, and other fringe benefits.

Accounting:

Identify and post required corrections and adjustments.

Prepare and enter necessary accruals at each period end or at the end of an award.

Ensure amortization of advances and expenses, and transactions are booked/allocated correctly.

Review cash reconciliations and weekly bank reconciliations.

Miscellaneous:

• Check financial documents for supplier payments and staff claims before submission to the bank.
• Verify bank details for all supplier documents before submission to the bank.
• Post transactions onto Agresso daily, ensuring correct files without missing supporting documents.
• Manage financial documents and archives.
• Process cash requests.
• Lead correspondence with banks regarding signatories.
• Record daily bank transactions.
• Monitor and manage provincial office liquidity.
• Conduct and record daily cash counts with the Provincial Head of Office.
• Act as a member of procurement bid committees when requested.
• Act as Finance focal point for internal or external audits.
• Provide support to cash transfer programming when requested.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Behaviours (Values in Practice):

Accountability:

Holds self and the team accountable for decisions and resource management.

Ensures adherence to Save the Children values.

Ambition:

Sets ambitious goals for themselves and the team.

Encourages personal and team development.

Collaboration:

Builds and maintains effective relationships.

Values diversity as a source of competitive strength.

Creativity:

Develops and encourages new solutions.

Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness, and transparency.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications:

Undergraduate degree in Finance/Accounting or a relevant field.

Experience and Skills:

Essential:

• 3+ years of finance experience.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive experience in managing others.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Team player with fluent English and proficiency in Pashto and/or Dari.
• Strong self-starter with effective time management skills.
• Exposure to automated accounting systems.
• Strong skills in coordinating and collaborating with others.
• Positive, solution-driven, respectful, and a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel within Afghanistan.

Desirable:

Experience in humanitarian emergencies across multiple areas of Afghanistan.

Previous experience with NNGOs/INGOs, UN, etc.

Additional Responsibilities:

The duties outlined are not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to carry out additional tasks within the scope of their skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

The role adheres to SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

The selection process includes rigorous background checks, aligning with the commitment to protecting children from abuse.

Health and Safety:

The role follows SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Submission Guidelines:

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply through the online application form. Attach a CV and cover letter in the online system. Only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered.

It is recommended to save the username and password for future job applications through the online system.

Save the Children International provides equal employment opportunities and does not request money at any recruitment stage.

Submission Email:

Online Application Link