Senior Finance Officer at Hope for Justice

Job Title: Senior Finance Officer Department: Finance Reporting to : Finance and Grant Manager Contract Type : Short Term for a period of nine months. Main Purpose: This role supports the transition that the finance department is going through due to planned absence and digitalization process. The Senior Finance Officer (SFO) is Responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, reconciliations, and compliance with donor and statutory requirements. Supports audit readiness and ensures timely month-end and year-end closure during the contract period. The SFO plays a key role in ensuring compliance with internal and external rules, regulations, and donor requirements. In addition, the SFO supports the Finance & Grant Manager to strengthen financial controls, data quality, and reporting timeliness. The SFO will support the digitalization of the financial system that Hope for Justice is going through. Particularly the SFO is expected to assess the current processes, and tasks delivered by the Officers and identify efficiency areas for the digitalization, provide technical support as needed, and develop a compliance internal guideline for future use. Main Duties & Responsibilities (WITH % WEIGHTING) 1. Financial Review, Posting Oversight & Reporting- (Ongoing activities) (45%) Review and validate all financial documents for postings for accuracy, completeness, coding, and supporting documentation. Ensure transactions comply with accounting standards, donor requirements, and organisational policies. Support and oversee month-end and year-end closing processes. Ensure integrity of financial transactions and maintain comprehensive records (soft and hard copies). Prepare government financial reports on monthly base Perform monthly reconciliations (bank, payroll, tax, GL, stock, prepayment) 2. Capacity Building, Training & Support (25%) Provide technical oversight to Finance Officer, Cashier, and Payroll Officer. Identify technical and competency areas that can be upskilled/coached/mentored within the finance team through regular performance reviews and operational assessments. Review reconciliations and ensure proper documentation and audit trails performed by the team to identify areas that could be made more efficient/supported. Uphold high-quality financial standards across the team. Recommend and implement targeted interventions to strengthen team capacity and address agreed staff development areas. Provide on-the-job coaching, structured training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing sessions to strengthen technical finance and compliance skills. Provide coaching on reconciliations, financial reporting, donor compliance requirements, and internal control procedures to improve accuracy and operational effectiveness. Support performance improvement and consistency across finance operations through continuous monitoring and feedback. Develop and maintain documented finance procedures, workflows, and guidance notes to promote standardization and knowledge retention. Ensure critical finance processes are adequately documented, and staff are cross-trained to facilitate smooth handovers, business continuity, and effective coverage during staff transitions or contract end. Strengthen the team’s capacity to independently perform key finance functions, including reconciliations, compliance checks, reporting, payroll review, and financial documentation management. Monitor the effectiveness of capacity-building initiatives and recommend further development actions where necessary. 3. Operational Efficiency & Coordination (15%) Improve coordination across finance functions and streamline workflows. Ensure smooth day-to-day finance operations and effective communication with other departments. Ensure continuity of finance operations during staff absences and maintain effective communication with other departments. (e.g., health-related or maternity leave). 4. Digitalisation & Process Improvement (15%) Support transition to digital finance systems. Promote data accuracy, system integrity, and improved utilisation of financial software (MS Office Business Central BC). Contribute to building a robust financial system within the organisation. Lead in the planning and supporting of the familiarization of the digitalization to wider team For all roles as a minimum: Understand and uphold the standards outlined in the Hope for Justice Safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with our work and reporting concerns if they do arise. About You Education Bachelor’s degree in accounting/ commerce/ finance. Experience Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in finance or accounting in the development sector. 5 years in a senior finance/supervisory role within humanitarian or development programs, with proven experience in budget development and supervisory responsibilities. Prior experience in NGO/INGO financial operations is required. Experience managing UNICEF grants is an advantage. Soft Skills: Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, in engagement with staff and stakeholders. Resolute and committed to achieving high-quality standards and striving for excellence. Accurate and attentive to detail. Good analytical thinking skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines. Good organisational skills. Flexibility to cope with unexpected situations. Willingness and ability to perform other related duties as assigned. A team player and have a desire to learn and be stretched into new areas of your profession. Technical Skills: Excellent negotiation and critical thinking skills. Ability to use discretion when working with confidential documents and information Proven professionalism and ethical conduct. Good organizational and writing skills. Organized, Attention to details and cautious. Ability to learn accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks Proficiency in basic computer applications (MS Office). Ability to be organised, meet deadlines, Ability to work within a team.