Finance Assistant

Background: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

For over half a century, Tanzania has been a country of asylum, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.  Currently, the country hosts approximately 287,903 Burundian and Congolese refugees, many of whom arrived in 2015 as the crisis in Burundi increased. To date, refugees continue to co-exist with the host communities in Kigoma region expressing multiple reasons and needs. Within this context, IRC provides protection and basic assistance in the areas of Safety (comprises of Protection and Rule of Law, Women Protection and Empowerment, and Child Protection), Health (mental health and psychosocial support services and reproductive health), and Education.

Job Overview: 

Finance Assistant is responsible for day-to-day operations of the finance department on payments, verification of documents, cash or bank management, and reconciliations.

Major Responsibilities

Prepare and process cash and bank payment vouchers for daily financial transactions, ensuring compliance with IRC financial procedures and regulations.

Regularly withdraw cash from the bank for office petty cash, keeping all receipts for proper documentation.

Maintain accurate filing of all finance documents, and track payments made at the respective site as needed.

Handle cash flow and maintain adequate funds at the site through effective cash flow management and coordination with banks and the country office.

Assist in the Implementation of finance policies, procedures, systems, Tanzanian law, and standards of accounting practices.

Reconcile advances given to respective field staff on monthly basis and ensure that the advances are liquidated promptly.

Ensure timely remittance of statutory deductions to avoid penalties.

Assume financial management responsibilities for the field office when the Finance Manager is absent from the duty station.

Finance/Budgeting

Collaborate with senior staff in the field site to contribute to the development of budgets/proposals.

Ensure adherence to local laws and accounting standards in all actions.

Review budget guidelines and instructions to gain a thorough understanding.

Assist in reviewing funding allocations to enable proper guidance to programs and proper coding.

Support the production of monthly reports for review by the Deputy Director of Finance.

Accounts Payable

Maintain a record of all invoices received from external vendors.

Record and process journal entries to ensure accurate recording of business transactions.

Keep Accounts Payable updated and conduct reconciliations as necessary.

Key Working Relationships:

·       Position Reports to: Finance Officer

·       Position directly supervises: N/A

     Other Internal and/or external contacts: Works with other sectors on financial matters related to the organization.