Country: Yemen
Closing date: 14 Feb 2018
INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
1.Terms of reference
Job Title: Country Finance Officer
Code: SR-35-382
Country: Yemen
Duty Station: Sanaa and Aden with travel to field locations where possible
Starting date: 01/03/2018
Contract duration: 12 months
Reporting to: Hierarchically to the Regional Finance Officer – functionally to the Head of Mission
Supervision of: National finance staff
Dependents: No
2. General context of the project
Two years after conflict escalated in Yemen, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country has reached a milestone with millions of lives in acute need for life saving assistance. The country is facing one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in the world. The ongoing military campaign has destroyed the economy and moved an already weak and impoverished country towards social, economic, and institutional collapse.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, compounded with cholera and pockets of famine, continues to increase the protection needs of an already vulnerable population. With the increasing impact of the armed conflict, a critical priority remains ensuring the protection of civilians and accountability by all state and non-state actors to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law. At the same time, the stress and loss on the conflict-affected and displaced population continues to mount, particularly on the most vulnerable segments of the population, necessitating urgent and immediate protection and assistance to those in need.
The volatile security situation and military operations along conflict lines continues to impact civilians throughout Yemen, requiring urgent attention for protection of civilians.
Displacement continues to be one of the main causes of protection needs. As of Sep 2017, the Task Force on Population Movement (TFPM) has identified over 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) (335,671 households) who have been displaced due to conflict since March 2015, dispersed across 21 governorates in Yemen. For the same period, the TFPM has identified 956,076 returnees (159,346 households), across 20 governorates. 10.3% of the total population of Yemen has experienced the shock of displacement due to conflict in the last 30 months.
Return movements are ongoing, with a peak witnessed for Aden, Amanat Al-Asima, Taiz and Lahj, but also Shabwa, Hajja, Sa’ada and Dhamar witnessed important ongoing return of IDPS.
The humanitarian needs for IDPs and Returnees there have similar priorities (but varying degrees of importance): food and access to income. Returnees are also demanding increased financial support and other assistance.
Conflict and displacement, compounded now with cholera and famine, have created new vulnerabilities as a result of, among others, loss of heads of households, family separation and the breakdown of community structures. This has increased the number of people who resort to adverse coping mechanisms as well as the mental health and psycho social support needs of the population. The most recent multi-cluster location assessment identified more than 1 million IDPs and host community members with specific needs, including malnourished children (27%), elderly (22%), pregnant / breastfeeding women (18%), chronically ill (8%), female heads of households (6%), minor heads of households (6%), persons with disabilities (7%) and separated and unaccompanied children (3%).
Half of Yemen’s population lacks clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, thereby increasing the risk of infectious diseases. There are acute shortages of critical drugs and medical equipment. Health facilities in Yemen like all public sector services, have received irregular financial support to cover operational costs and staff salaries. The conflict continues to claim children’s lives and their futures. Data shows that the number of children killed in conflict increased by 70 per cent, and nearly twice as many children were injured and recruited into the fighting since March 2016 compared to the same period the previous year.
3. General purpose of the position
The Finance Officer is responsible for the proper technical performance of all accounting-financial activities of the mission and its projects. In this context, he/she ensures the correct and effective management of financial resources, in accordance with the Organization's procedures.
4. Main responsibilities and tasks
- To work closely with the HoM to ensure compliance with INTERSOS and donor procedures in a very challenging context which requires dynamism in order to achieve the results ;
- To assist with country and project accounting and coordinate administrative personnel, in a mission with implementation of activities spread among different areas in the country;
- To collaborate with the Head of Mission in preparing and monitoring the country's economic and financial plans;
- To collaborate with the Project Managers in preparing and monitoring the projects' economic and financial plans;
- To assume responsibility for cash account administration, with particular focus to accounting of funds transferred and spent in field locations where a strict and constant control is challenging;
- To assist with all interim and final financial reports and submit to project managers and Head of Mission for approval;
- To ensure compliance with local labour laws;
- To assist the Head of Mission in drafting new proposals and concept notes, in a humanitarian environment with different needs that continuously emerge in different locations and with regular interactions with funding agencies with short and unexpected requests of budget proposal and revisions from their side;
- Any other duties not listed here, but considered necessary to the mission and as directed by the Head of Mission and Regional Finance Officer.
5. Required profile and experience
Education
Advanced university degree in finance, business administration or other related field
Professional experience
Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in emergency and humanitarian, in field locations too
Professional requirements
- Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, the humanitarian system and its flexibility, donors and their demands, security and financial management in humanitarian context
- Computer (excel) and admin/finance skills
- Donor compliance and reporting
- Highly able to keep confidentiality
- Able to work independently
- People Management and Leadership
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated experience in staff supervision
- Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS
Languages
English mandatory
Personal requirements
- Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment
- Strategic vision and planning
- Teamwork
- Ability to work and adapt in different environments
- Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skills
- Practical and problem-solver
How to apply:
For further information and to apply, follow the link below:
https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/
In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: " SR-35-382 Country Finance Officer - Yemen".
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.