Child Safeguarding:
Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people
ROLE PURPOSE:
To support the Accounts Payable functions ensuring timely payments to vendors and daily updating of transactions into the finance system
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Finance Coordinator- S2P and accounts payable
Dimensions: Dimension of Role:
South Sudan is one of the most challenging and exciting working environments that Save the Children currently works in. The newest country in the world, its legacy of thirty years of war has yet to be even partly addressed as its new government struggles to both mature and reach out to its people. Education rates remain extremely low with less than 10% of the population finishing primary school; and only 200 girls completing secondary school in 2011 (out of a total population of greater than 8 Million people). Infrastructure across the country remains virtually none-existent; with 80% of the country – including State capitals – only accessible for half of the year (the rainy season) by small aircraft. Even in the capital – Juba – there are no functioning public utilities, few tarmac roads and limited health services. Aid agencies rely on generators, water trucking and satellite internet to meet their basic needs. The agencies still provide some 75% of the basic services of the South Sudanese population. Parts of the country are still racked by insecurity – tribal militias, rebel militia groups and direct conflict with the North of Sudan all take their regular toll on the civilian population.
Save the Children has been active in South Sudan for over 20 years. In 2010 the three active field agencies – Save the Children Sweden, US and UK came together under a unified presence with Save the Children UK as the managing member. We reach and help the meet the rights of hundreds of thousands of children every year.
There are currently a total of 50 active grants that Save the Children is implementing across 12 field offices. The expected yearly expenditure of these grants is expected to reach over US$53 Million during the course of 2023. The grants vary from short term emergency response grants from CHF, UN agencies, ECHO etc… through to multi-year funding for longer term development programmes.
This is a challenging role in a complex environment. It requires a dedicated, experienced and highly motivated individual who can manage the difficulties of living and working in such an environment and still be fundamental in helping to drive forward our programmes and our ambitions. Equally, South Sudan today is a rewarding place to be – a new country that still needs much of its plans for the future to be laid out and put in place. Joining Save the Children here now is thus an immensely exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a country as we, one of the largest agencies in the country, help formulate the future direction of this country – helping to put its children first.
Staff directly reporting to this post: Finance Intern (If any)
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Timely Preparation and Payment of all service providers, Consultants, Partners and any other payments.
- Follow up with the bank, suppliers, Consultants and other payee on any long outstanding cheque/un presented Cheques.
- Monitoring of bank balances, bank payment confirmations, Maintenance of Cheque register for all bank accounts and establish re order levels advice the Country Finance Manager once balances reach reorder level.
- Service provider reconciliations on long outstanding payments and providing corrective action
- Ensure that the payment reconciliation is done in Prosave
- Undertake payments runs in S2P
- Ensure that the payments are cleared within the week
- Updating the bank signatories when there are changes
- Engaging with the banks on any issues relating to payments as the main contact person for the bank.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
- Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
- Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Professional qualifications in accounting such as CPA, ACCA or CIMA
- At least two year’s INGOs experience is preferable especially in financial accounting and accounts payables. However, strong candidates from other sectors will also be considered
- Knowledge of accounts receivable and accounts payable processes
- Highest standards of ethics and integrity
- Proactive, results focused, attention to detail, drive for quality, team building and capacity building.
- Strong computer skills, especially on Accounting packages
- Ability and willingness to work under pressure as part of a professional team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including cultural sensitivity, assertiveness and negotiating skills.
- Willingness to travel to field offices occasionally