Finance Officer
- Référence cDiscussion: 1089353
- Publié le: 17/08/2021 à 13h00min40s
- Niveau d'études: Non précisé
- Expérience: Non précisé
- Expire le: 21-08-2021
Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Bénin
Bénin
Le cabinet WARYS CONSEILS recrute pour le compte de Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Bénin
Job Description
Job Title: Finance Officer
Department: Conservation Programmes, Benin
Responsible to: Landscape Manager
Responsible for: N/A
Job Holder:
Head of Department or Director:
Date: 21/08/2021
Job Description reference number: N/A
Grade:
ZSL
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.
Project background
The W-Arly-Pendjari conservation complex (WAP-COM), spanning the borders of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin, is one of the most important areas for conservation in West Africa. It represents the last relatively intact savannah system in the region and is a conservation priority for both large carnivores and African elephant. The complex faces increasing threats from illegal hunting, encroachment from pastoralists and agriculture all compounded by a lack of capacity to monitor, protect and manage the landscape.
ZSL has been active in the region since 2008 through its Range-Wide Conservation Programme for Cheetah and African Wild Dog. Since 2018, the project has been refocusing on the Niger side of the complex, mainly in W National Park in collaboration with landscape partners. ZSL continue to work in Benin through supporting landscape partners with wildlife monitoring, capacity building of Beninese law enforcement authorities and engagement with communities bordering W Benin and Pendjari through support to alternative livelihoods, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict and sustainable use of natural resources.
Project aims
1. Support the establishment and implementation of research and monitoring programmes aimed at sustainable management of the parks and surrounding areas.
2. Work with key stakeholders in the landscape (governmental and non governmental) to deliver transboundary conservation activities and achieve landscape level results for effective protected area management and counter-wildlife trafficking, with benefits for communities
3. Develop the capacity of local and regional partners to manage and protect the parks, carry out research, support community-based initiatives and any other relevant aspects of project activities.
4. Support effective law enforcement monitoring and protection in W Niger national park through the establishment and implementation of the SMART approach (or other patrol monitoring software) and the capacity building and mentoring of park rangers.
5. Support the capacity building of law enforcement agencies (eaux et forets, police, gendarmerie, judiciary) in Benin and Niger.
6. Engage and collaborate with other stakeholders to integrate the project into existing and future initiatives for conservation in the region.
Job description
The Finance Officer will work directly under the Landscape Manager in all aspects of finance and operational tasks of the ZSL Benin Programme and country office. The position is based in Cotonou at a ZSL shared office space (once this is acquired).
Main responsibilities:
The Finance Officer shall perform the following tasks:
Conduct receipt entry through the accounting software QuickBooks and support the completion of monthly financial reports.
Support the monitoring and implementation of procedures and financial regulations for all of the projects in ZSL Benin and Niger;
Working with staff in ZSL London and the Benin finance team to ensure full compliance with all ZSL legal, tax and financial reporting requirements; ensuring that clear governance structures are in place and contracts are fully compliant with the relevant national legislation;
Support HQ Finance team with month end processes
Develop a good understanding of project activities and budgets including budget coding to enable accurate posting of expenditure in line with donor budgets
Follow the financial and reporting guidelines of each project;
Management of petty cash and bank accounts
Regular balance sheet reconciliations, including cash, bank, accruals, and advances
Sign off on the monthly staff advance liquidations and reconciliations
• Ensure supporting financial documentation is in line with ZSL and donor policies and archived systematically including the timely production of financial reports to meet donor requirements.
Maintain relationship with WARYs Conseils, ZSL Benin’s legal/accounting provider liaising with tax payments, HR contracts
Support audits and donor reporting
Supervise sub-contractors and ZSL partner organisations
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior management, ZSL London and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the in-country administration and operations are being managed in line with ZSL wide standards, including monitoring and reporting against the same
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations for all accounting activities and internal audits
• Ensure compliance with expenditure execution procedures
• Ensure the verification of the physical and computer archiving of documents related to the activity
• Ensure payroll is prepared accurately. Ensure that staff and payroll statutory payments are made on time.
• Implement an invoice payment processing strategy once WARYs cease these payments
NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.
Required qualifications and abilities:
• University degree or professional qualification in accounting or related financial subject (Master Degree in finance, accountancy, or Audit)
• Extensive knowledge of accounting practices and relevant experience of at least 3 years in administrative and financial management of projects, preferably within the framework of funding by international donors.
• Experience using accounting software, preferably QuickBooks
• Good knowledge of computer skills (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Internet)
• Fluency in English and French required;
• Organizational and administrative rigor;
• Ability to plan work and manage priorities;
• Openness and ability to adapt;
• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to travel nationally and regionally (Niger) whenever required
• Experience working with UK and US donors preferable
Pour les dépôts de demande veuillez utiliser : secretariat@warys-conseils.com et/ou michael.agbo@warys-conseils.com