Location: Khartoum, Sudan
Job Classification: Country Staff / Local Hire
Application Deadline: Until Filled
Organization
Solidarity Center is a non-profit organization launched by the AFL-CIO in 1997 with the aim of tackling the enormous challenges faced by workers in the global economy through supporting the building of strong, democratic and independent trade unions. Operating in over 60 countries via a network of 24 field offices, we work with unions and community groups worldwide to help people stand up for their rights and improve their living and working standards. Education and training programs in human and worker rights, union skills, advocacy, occupational safety and health, economic literacy, civic and voter education are coupled with institutional support including research, legal support and organizing assistance that help workers and their unions play an essential role in proactively influencing public policy and so achieve equitable, sustainable and democratic development within their own societies.
Solidarity Center and its union partners strive for the inclusion of democratic values and respect for worker rights in global trade and development policies as well as the practices of international financial institutions. Our programs raise public awareness about the abuse of the world's most vulnerable workers. Above all, our programs help the world's workers secure a voice in the developing global economy, and thus in their own future.
Summary of Position
The Finance Officer III is responsible for managing all aspects of financial reporting and accounting for Solidarity Center’s Sudan Field Office, in conformity with Solidarity Center procedures and in compliance with US law, donor policies, and local law. This includes contributing to the preparation of budgets for submission to donors, and monitoring spending of approved grant budgets.
Working under the supervision of the Sudan Field Program Specialist, with guidance from the Regional Program Director in Washington, the Finance Officer III oversees office administration and contributes to the overall efficient operations of the Field Office and its branches in accordance with Solidarity Center guidelines. The work of the Finance Officer III is supported by other Program, Administrative, and Finance staff in Washington DC with whom this individual will work as part of a team. The Finance Officer is conversant with the financial, HR, and administrative aspects of program operation. Whoever fills this role must be able to develop systems to support financial management and complete the full range of tasks associated with the position without local assistance, which requires initiative, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. The Finance Officer III must be comfortable working in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural environment.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Accurately record financial transactions into QuickBooks accounting software and ensure that appropriate supporting documentation is maintained
- Produce accurate monthly and other field financial reports for Washington headquarters
- Ensure the exactitude and completeness of all accounting transactions before entry into the “QuickBooks” database
- Maintain “QuickBooks” at the Field Office by downloading and installing updates supplied by Solidarity Center’s headquarters
- File, maintain and safeguard accounting transactions, financial reports and all other records
- Manage cash for the office, safeguarding cash kept at the office and maintaining accounting records for cash transactions
- Contribute to the development of budgets for proposals, in collaboration with the Program Officer in Washington
- Produce monthly spending reports for each grant for the Sudan Field Program Specialist, which includes forecasting future expenses, in collaboration with field program officer
- Maintain records related to contracts with consultants, vendors, landlord, and other contractual services.
- Manage logistics for program activities/events and visitors, such as venue and travel arrangements, including hotel reservations and airport transfers
- Manage the Field Office bank account, including the preparation and management of wire transfers, the reception and disbursement of cash funds, to audit the bank accounts and office funds, as well as conduct other audits as required
- Ensure that local staff salaries are paid correctly and on time, including consultant remuneration, in accordance with Solidarity Center’s policies and the applicable legislation of Sudan
- Control petty cash funds
- Serve as principal liaison between the Field office and the Finance Department and, when necessary, the Program Departments at Solidarity Center’s head office in Washington, DC for all matters concerning accounting and finance
- Manage and monitor Sudan’s grant budgets with precision, keeping the Sudan Field Program Specialist, Regional Program Director, and program staff updated on financial status
- Process liquidation of credit cards for all Sudan staff in a timely and accurate manner
- Manage the procurement process for office goods and services
- Review billing/advance request and advance liquidation documents
- On a monthly basis, maintain and update DC expenses in Field Office system
- Interface with the banks, business insurance providers, and vendors
- Ensure that all of the Field Office’s financial records, files, and inventories are correctly classified, maintained, recorded and updated
- Review invoices from vendors, processing payment & keep track of payment situation
- Ensure that program activities and the management of the Field Office and its branches are executed in accordance with the established program budget
- Support the Sudan Field Program Specialist in managing the Field Office as well as the programs in ensuring compliance with Solidarity Center’s policies, donor’s policies, and applicable US laws
- Ensure that internal controls are implemented and continuously updated to safeguard the organization's assets and to minimize the financial risks to the organization
- Serve as a central contact point for all accounting or financial questions on behalf of the Field Office and for any other office that may be established in the region
- Facilitate basic trainings, workshops and meetings on finance issues for Solidarity Center personnel in order to ensure a better understanding of finance issues, as well as providing follow-up coaching and mentoring support
- Deliver financial training to partners on various finance matters including grant policies and procedures, sub award rules, audit compliance
- Review sub-award partner financial reports to ensure compliance to grant requirements
- Represent Solidarity Center in a professional manner to the local authorities, trades’ unions and others when required
- Evaluate and maintain adequate insurance coverage to meet the needs of the organization, ensuring policies are renewed or replaced in a timely way and that claims are filed and fully resolved
- Provide assistance and support to the Sudan Field Program Specialist and Regional Program Director during audits or external program evaluations
- Prepare timesheets and contribute to a system managed by the Sudan Field Program Specialist to track of SC Staff’s vacation & Sick Leave status
- Maintain Occupational Safety and Health systems in the office, including emergency preparedness equipment and a first aid kit
- Handle cash disbursement to program participants or facilitators & prepare any documentation needed to ensure the proper execution of programs (if needed)
- Track maintenance agreements, maintenance equipment and supplies in the office
- Coordinate IT Services and equipment maintenance
- Perform any other finance/administrative duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Sudan Field Program Specialist or Regional Program Director
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Accounting and financial Sciences, or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience.
- Possess the right to work in Sudan.
- At least 6 years full-time experience in financial operations at an international NGO or equivalent organization.
- Experience of managing large funds (over US $1 million per year).
- Experience in USG grant management, and ability to accurately analyze current spending and forecast field expenditures across multiple grants.
- Excellent knowledge of Excel spreadsheet applications. Excellent knowledge of accounting computer software and QuickBooks.
- Fluent and excellent writing skills in in Arabic; very good spoken and written English is required.
- Abilty to facilitate basic trainings, workshops, and meetings on finance issues for partners and SC staff.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities with limited supervision.
- Detail-minded, meticulous, and well organized.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both within a team and to complete assignments with minimal supervision is required, while maintaining focus and motivation.
- Very good mentoring and coaching skills, to support SC staff and partners in applying SC financial procedures.
The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Job seekers who require a reasonable accommodation to apply should contact us at: information@solidaritycenter.org.
About Us:
The Solidarity Center is the largest U.S. -based international worker rights organization. Its programs are based on the principle that, by exercising their right to freedom of association and forming trade unions and democratic worker rights organizations, working people can collectively improve their workplaces, call on governments to uphold laws and protect human rights, and be a force for democracy, social justice and inclusive economic development. Its programs in more than 60 countries focus on human and worker rights awareness, union skills, occupational safety and health, gender equality, migration and human trafficking and pro-legal strategies, bolstering workers in an increasingly informal economy. Founded in 1997 by the AFL-CIO to tackle the enormous challenges workers face in the global economy, the Solidarity Center works to promote democratic rights and respect for workers; raise public awareness about abuses of the world's most vulnerable workers; and, above all, help the world's workers secure a voice in their societies and the global economy.