Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) Recent Job Opening

The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) is a non-profit sub-regional network consisting of representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations from Southern African countries, which coordinates regional efforts to offer rapid, practical and inclusive 24hr support to human rights defenders (HRDs) at high and immediate risk.

The SAHRDN seeks to contribute to a situation where human rights defenders in South Africa are recognized as legitimate actors for social change and to an environment where they can effectively exercise their rights to defend universally recognized human rights. SAHRDN is an equal opportunities employer and fights against all kind of discriminations.

The ideal candidate must have a degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and three to five years’ experience working in the NGO or relevant sector.

 

 

Job Title: Finance Officer
Location: Johannesburg

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting directly to the Coordinator, the Finance Officer has the following responsibilities:

Financial Control

• Administer and monitor the financial and accounting system in order to ensure that the SAHRDN’s finances and assets are maintained in an accurate and timely manner and comply with the SAHRDN’s policies and procedures;
• Establish and maintain cash controls, monitor the purchase order system, reconcile accounts payable and receivable, establish and maintain supplier accounts, prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and general ledger accounts and assist with audits;
• Assist with developing budgets for project proposals, track monthly expenditure against the different project budgets, manage the overall programme operating budget for the office
• Monitoring expenditures to ensure that program funds are utilised appropriately in line with grant agreements and by the close of the grant period.
• Monitor budget burn/expenditure rates and cash-flow projections. Recommend appropriate actions on any significant variances (+/-10%). Prepare budget amendments where necessary.
• Organize and keep track of the finance aspects of meetings, external events and travel implemented as part of the offices’ projects.
• Maintain relationships with the bank and service providers as well as important contacts of the organization; Works in close coordination with SAHRDN’s field staff, members and HRDs to ensure timely submission of information and reports.
• Follows up on timely implementation of the recommendations to remedy significant variances

Financial Reporting

• Ensuring that all financial reporting is completed on time and submitted to Board and donors.
• Overseeing the financial audits of the organisation and ensuring statutory compliance.

Financial Management

• Ensures that financial management systems are, and records are effective and robust. Consolidates cash flows, reporting templates, financial plans, and amendments throughout the project’s life cycle.
• Ensure sound financial management of SAHRDN sub-grants and sub-contracts
• Carries out payment of salaries to secretariat staff

Capacity Building

• Help build financial management capacity of network members and sub-grantees.
• Design and conduct in-house trainings e.g. financial management for project managers
• Ensures that internal and external audits recommendations are adhered to.

Carry out other, appropriate responsibilities as requested by the Coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration;
• Proficient knowledge and proven experience in an international NGO in Financial management and accounting for a period of 3 to 5 years;
• Commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Essential Skills 

• Good knowledge of the financial rules, regulations and legislation in South Africa;
• Ability to produce accounts for auditing in multiple countries where SAHRDN may have actions, including cooperating with audit regimes relevant to multiple funding agencies globally;
• Excellent organisational, planning and time-management skills, ability to take initiative and capacity to adapt to changing priorities and needs;
• Attention to detail and accuracy;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work well as part of a team and thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment;
• Excellent language skills in spoken and written English;
• Advanced computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office. Ability to operate computerized accounting, spreadsheet and word-processing programmes at a highly proficient level. Knowledge about one or more computerised accounting software is necessary;
• Experience of working within the NGO sector is desirable.

To apply

Send your resume, contact details of 3 references of your line managers from the former organization or work places and a motivation letter (English only) to the following email: [email protected] with “SAHRDN Finance Officer” subject line.

The application should include:

• Motivation letter (in English, no longer than two pages, incl. salary expectations)
• Curriculum vitae (in English, no longer than 2 pages)
• 3 reference persons (short-listed candidates’ reference persons will be contacted)

Applications should be sent to: [email protected]

Please note: Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews. Interviews are planned for January 2020.  Contact: [email protected]

Application Deadline: Monday, 30 December, 2019