Africans Parks recrute un(e) Gestionnaire financier – Parc national de la Pendjari, Bénin.

Africans Parks recrute un(e) Gestionnaire financier – Parc national de la Pendjari, Bénin.

Primary Purpose

As a member of the Park Management Unit, the Finance Manager will be responsible for the organization’s financial performance by managing accounting records, evaluating and managing risk, ensuring compliance with regulations, publishing financial statements, overseeing accounting operations, analysing financial data, monitoring expenditure, forecasting revenue, coordinating auditing processes, and ensuring the accuracy of financial information to donors. This includes implementing financial controls as dictated by the finance manual of African Parks, training the team as to their responsibilities with finances, and creating reporting structures for the different head of departments to be aware of their budgets.

This will be done under supervision from the AP Regional Finance Manager;

• To ensure that the accounting system is in place to record transactions per accepted accounting principles and APN finance policy as such that it provides the basis for an efficient financial management;
• To direct and control the administration of all financial, treasury and accounting activities following APN policy and in compliance with fiscal, legal, and statutory requirements in Benin;
• To assist in the clearing of equipment purchased;
• To ensure Pendjari National Park is tax compliant;
• To manage the bank accounts;
• To ensure that all donor regulations are adhered to: e.g., restricted funds, fund reporting requirements, specific procurement requirements, etc.

Key Responsibilities

ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

• Supervise the recording, classifying, and summarizing of the financial transactions of Pendjari National Park and ensuring the proper update and maintenance of the accounts to ensure that the accounting system provides the basis for an efficient financial information system for both internal and external users and that it is compliant with internationally accepted accounting principles, legal and statutory requirements of Benin;
• Ensure monthly transactions are entered in General Ledger accurately and on a timely basis;
• Ensure that all balance sheet accounts are reconciled;
• Review and provide guidance and coaching to accounting staff ensuring accuracy, correctness, and completeness of transactions recorded;
• Ensure the timeliness of required donors reports to account managers, donors, government partners, etc.;
• Prepare periodic reports of financial performance and discuss with the head of departments;
• Submit the monthly report to the Regional Financial Controller in line with the monthly reporting checklist and timetable.

TREASURY AND CASH MANAGEMENT

• Prepare the monthly cash flow projections and monitors the continued availability of funds to cover the requirements of the project;
• Review and ensure that disbursements are adequately supported with relevant evidential documentation; Cash and bank balances are reconciled with the records maintained. Reconciliations are reviewed and signed by the park manager.

PLANNING, BUDGETING, AND FORECASTING

• Assist in the planning and budgeting for the project, taking the lead in the financial plans and budgets, and ensuring that the assumptions, parameters, guidelines, and policies in planning are complied with;
• Review and monitors the budget performance of the project and provide recommendations;
• Provide cost data of the various resource inputs to project personnel to prepare and update Budgets;
• Assist the Park manager and other Park staff by providing guidance on compliance with donors’ guidelines and the provisions of donor agreements.

INTERNAL CONTROL ENVIRONMENT

• Continuously review the adequacy of internal control to ensure the provision of accurate and timely financial information, protection of assets and adherence to policies, systems, and procedures, and the smooth and orderly implementation of plans and activities.

FIXED ASSET MANAGEMENT

• Ensure the identification and proper inventory of fixed assets of the project through the conduct of an annual inventory to determine their location and condition of proper disposition;
• Managing depreciation following APN’s policy and that the assets are adequately protected;
• Prepare the request for approval to dispose of missing, lost, stolen, damaged, and obsolete equipment;

PAYROLL

• Collaborate with the HR Manager ensuring that the systems and procedures are in place to enable accurate preparation and disbursement of the payroll in compliance with statutory requirements;
• Sign off on the monthly payroll by reviewing and checking the accuracy of amounts to be paid to the staff.

DUE DILIGENCE AND AUDIT

• Coordinate with the auditors in the external audit of the Pendjari National Park. This includes preparation of the reporting pack and necessary notes to the accounts;
• Provide draft responses to the audit management letter, including coordinating inputs from the Programme, Human Resources, Administration and other units as necessary;
• Ensure the closure and resolution of audit findings.

PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises;
• Ensure compliance of procurement process with SOPs and donor rules;
• Ensure team knows donors and procurement rules;
• Review Investment/contract files and purchase request and purchase orders.

REPORTING

• Report on grants- financial and narrative.

GENERAL

• Provide leadership and guidance in all matters pertaining to finance (including taxation and other financial issues) and give advice and support to all those needing it;
• Provide training to project staff on APN financial policies and procedures, budgeting methods and compliance with donor guidelines;
• Where required, assist with writing and maintaining the local procurement policy and be a member of the procurement committee;
• Represent the Finance Department of the park toward external stakeholder (Board Members, Donors, Partner, Government Authority, etc…).

Competencies, qualifications and experience needed for the role:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a finance team, with at least two years in a managerial position;
• Qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA Accountant is preferable;
• Proven work experience in finance management;
• Knowledge of NGO donors and their financial reporting requirements is desirable;
• Result driven with a strong capacity to work autonomously;
• Team player with capacity to work with multicultural environment;
• Good MS Office skills particularly strong capabilities in MS Excel;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong ability to be able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Experience in training and developing Finance staff;
• Strong leadership skills;
• Auditing experience;
• Compliance oriented;
• Proficiency in accounting software Navision 2017;
• Fluency in both English and French;
• Strong willingness to live in a rural setting and experience living in remote locations;
• Adhesion to African Parks values.