Head of Accountancy at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND JOB ENVIRONMENT

Accountable to the Director of Finance, the person in charge of Accountancy Unit guarantee the reliability of the financial statements of the organization and define the financial-accounting policies agreed by Finance Director, the management processes and accounting control necessary in HQ and Networking MSF OCBA Units and the Field to ensure the accountability of the entity.

This Unit comprises two areas: Field Accountancy Area (the team consist in 5 people) and General Accounting Area (the team consists in 4 people). S/he also works in close collaboration with the Finance Operational Unit within Finance department and has working links with the heads of the other departments within MSF OCBA. There is also strong collaboration with the Heads of Accountancy in other MSF Operational Sections and International Finance Team.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Coordinates, prepares and submits reports regarding the financial status of the organization (annual audit, statutory accounts and combined accounts) and ensures they are timely published.
• Overseen the consolidation of the accounts of MSF Spain within International Financial Statements.
• Ensuring and overseeing the quality of MSF OCBA’s monthly and annual financial and analytical accounting closures in a timely manner.
• Lead the Annual Audit and conducts mission visits with auditors as part of the annual audit.
• S/he maintains relationship with other relevant departments within OCBA and other MSF Entities and leads and participates in finance management platforms and international projects within MSF.
• Support and guide in Accounting Management within the OCBA Network Unit (Nairobi, Amman, Dakar, Argentina) in line with their evolution and growth.
• Ensures the correct accounting of grants from both MSF sections and public institutions or foundations. Ensures the reconciliation of open items. S/he enters in the combined accounts all the financing part.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Finance Planning

• Define the strategic plans of the Finance Department together with the Finance Director, Deputy and HoUnits according to the strategic plan of the organization and the Operational Policy and the future challenges of the department.
• Ensure that HR and financial planning for the Unit is in line with the finance department strategy. Ensure that actions plans are fulfilled, and objective achieved, regular follow up and review of the Unit planning.
• Define together with coordinators of areas the priorities, initiatives and action plan to be carrying out according with the strategic plan. 
• Identify areas of improvements in the existing processes to ensure the continuous improvements of the organization in accountancy.
• Monitors the objectives set through management indicators and evaluates possible deviations.

Finance-Accounting Policies and Procedures

• Define and guarantee the implementation of the necessary financial and accounting strategies and policies to ensure compliance with the Accounting Principles and Standards, the quality of financial information and guarantee the principles of transparency and accountability.
• Ensure that the organization has the necessary policies and procedures to carry out the updated financial and accounting management processes for submission to internal control and auditing of accounts.
• Liaises with the organization’s tax advisors. Ensures timely fulfilment of legal obligations in regards with financial issues.

Unit Management

• Is responsible for the smooth function and development of the Unit.
• Participates in the recruitment process of the unit’s members; supervises, guides and coaches Unit members. Ensures a good internal flow of information.
• Ensures that policies, processes and tools correspond and cover the needs of the unit so to reach the set objectives.
• Coordinate the accounting team in order to carry out its planning, monitor and evaluate its performance and contribute to the development of its competencies.

Others

• Definition of optimization priorities, and leadership of/participation in optimization projects. This as join effort with other Accountancy Unit team members and depending on the topic colleagues from other departments.
• Data based analysis with the aim of identifying potential improvements.
• Functional ownership of accounting management IT tools and involvement in new developments.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education and Experience

• Higher degree in Business Administration, Economics or similar.
• Experience of minimum two years in a similar position in Finances Departments of large companies or organizations. 
• MSF field experience of minimum one year, in financial department.
• Very good command of English.  French and Spanish highly desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of ERP systems my SAP and FFC.

COMPETENCIES

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Analytical Thinking
• Strategic Vision
• Quality and Results orientation
• Planning and Organising
• Initiative and Innovation
• Internal User and/or End Beneficiary orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation

CONDITIONS

• Position based in any MSF-OCBA Hub (Barcelona, MSF-Spain delegations, Amman, Dakar or Nairobi).
• Full time work.
• Minimum commitment with the position of 3 years.
• Annual gross salary: According to Level 4C of MSF Spain salary grid (divided into 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy.
• Starting date: as soon as posible.

Please submit your application by 6th April 2022