JOB SUMMARY
This Senior Specialist — Finance & Accounting position functions as the primary operational finance leader for the Area Office, reporting to the Finance Director. Responsibilities encompass the entire financial operations’ spectrum, including transactional processing, statutory compliance, budgeting, donor reporting, and audit management. Serving as a key strategic advisor to the Finance Director, the incumbent fosters financial discipline, enhances internal controls, and ensures adherence to Habitat for Humanity International policies, donor mandates, and regulatory obligations. The role oversees a team of two staff members and contributes significantly to developing financial competencies across the Area Office.
Oversee and execute critical responsibilities essential to the role, ensuring adherence to established standards and procedures. Perform tasks that drive operational efficiency and align with organizational goals. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and maintain high performance standards. Maintain meticulous records, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and address issues promptly to uphold productivity and accountability. Possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently under minimal supervision. Demonstrate proficiency in relevant software, tools, and methodologies to support daily functions and long-term objectives.
Responsible for preparing and maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and generating comprehensive reports to support executive decision-making. Duties include overseeing month-end and year-end closing processes, managing general ledger accounts, and reconciling financial discrepancies. Requires proficiency in GAAP principles, strong analytical skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to streamline reporting procedures and enhance financial transparency. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, relevant certifications (e.g., CPA), and at least three years of progressive experience in financial reporting.
Ensure the accuracy and reliability of the general ledger while managing month-end and year-end close processes, which encompass journal entries, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet reconciliations, all delivered punctually in alignment with HF HI’s global financial calendar.
Prepare annual statutory financial statements while ensuring accurate and timely completion of donor grant-specific account reconciliations, fund balance schedules, and intercompany entries on a monthly basis.
Administer a variety of Workday ERP processes, such as maintaining the integrity of the chart of accounts, configuring workflows, generating system-based reports, and providing first-line user support.
The position oversees the management of accounts payable, payroll processing, and treasury operations, ensuring accurate and timely financial transactions. Responsibilities include verifying invoices, processing payments, reconciling accounts, and maintaining compliance with financial regulations. Additionally, the role involves managing payroll functions such as calculating wages, processing deductions, and ensuring timely disbursement to employees. Treasury duties entail overseeing cash flow, managing liquidity, and optimizing financial resources. A strong background in accounting, proficiency with financial software, and meticulous attention to detail are essential requirements for this role.
Ensure every procurement transaction is assigned the correct budget code, thoroughly documented, and processed in strict adherence to Habitat for Humanity International’s procurement and financial controls’ framework, while maintaining close collaboration with the Office Operations Coordinator.
Oversee the complete accounts payable lifecycle, beginning with invoice verification and progressing through approval workflows, payment scheduling, and quarterly vendor statement reconciliations, while maintaining strict adherence to HF HI procurement standards.
Collaborate with the HR department to maintain precise and timely payroll processing, facilitate timesheet approvals, and ensure accurate payroll allocation within the financial system.
Responsibilities include managing staff travel advances by ensuring prompt liquidation, meticulously reviewing expense reports for accuracy and compliance, and maintaining a detailed aged advance report.
Oversee the daily management of petty cash and Area Office liquidity, performing routine cash counts, submitting requests for HQ cash, and proactively managing banking relationships to guarantee prompt and adequate operational funding.
Responsible for overseeing budgetary allocations and conducting thorough financial assessments, this role involves meticulous tracking of expenditures, analyzing financial data, and ensuring adherence to fiscal policies. The position requires a keen eye for detail to identify variances, forecast future financial needs, and provide strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in financial software, and the ability to interpret complex data are essential for success in this capacity.
Support the Area Office throughout the budgeting cycle—beginning with the preparation of the annual fiscal year budget and concluding with monthly Budget versus Actuals reporting—by delivering insightful variance analysis and proactive commentary to guide management in making informed decisions.
Partner with the Finance Director to lead the forecasting process, proactively identifying budget risks and suggesting corrective measures.
Assist the Resource Development team by creating and evaluating project proposal budgets, realignments, and cost extensions to maintain financial precision and adherence to donor requirements.
Conducts audits, ensures regulatory compliance, and manages tax obligations to uphold organizational integrity and financial accuracy.
As the Area Office lead, you will oversee internal, external, and donor audits, coordinating schedules, audit document request lists, and management responses, while ensuring documentation remains audit-ready and tracking the resolution of findings to closure.
Oversee all statutory tax obligations, such as withholding tax and corporate income tax filings, while staying ahead of legislative changes to ensure internal processes remain up-to-date and compliant.
Ensure strict adherence to the financial authority matrix for all transactions and documentation, verifying that every payment and commitment receives proper authorization prior to processing.
Grants management and administrative assistance are required to support the National Office, ensuring efficient oversight of funding initiatives. This role involves coordinating grant applications, monitoring compliance with funding requirements, and providing logistical support to facilitate smooth operations. The position demands meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in grant-related software and prior experience in a similar capacity are essential qualifications for this role.
Oversee the complete grants management process for Area Office-administered grants, collaborating with Grants Officers and the Project Lead to ensure sub-grantee oversight, adherence to donor compliance standards, and accurate financial reporting.
Collaborate monthly with the Project Lead to conduct Budget vs. Actuals review meetings, ensuring grant performance is closely monitored and timely corrective measures are implemented.
Work collaboratively with the Regional Finance Manager to ensure National Office fund requests are prepared and submitted accurately and punctually to both the Headquarters and Global Fundraising Network Offices.
Deliver specialized technical assistance and compliance support to National Offices by meticulously reviewing financial submissions and offering actionable guidance on donor stipulations.
Maintain a meticulously structured, audit-prepared filing system—both electronic and physical—for all grants and financial records throughout the Area Office.
Leads process improvement initiatives and oversees operational controls, while providing strong leadership to drive team performance and development.
Partner with the Finance Director to enhance financial processes while fortifying internal controls through well-defined SOPs, strategic segregation of duties, and robust anti-fraud and safeguarding measures.
Collaborate with the Finance Director to assess current financial processes, develop strategic enhancements, and execute improvements that drive efficiency and scalability. Leverage operational insights to redesign workflows, ensuring streamlined and sustainable financial operations.
Develop and deliver financial literacy programs to enhance understanding among non-finance personnel at the Area Office, offering clear guidance and orientation on relevant policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Guide and coach direct reports by establishing transparent performance benchmarks while cultivating an engaged, high-achieving team dynamic.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is required.
A professional qualification such as CPA, ARCA, or an equivalent credential is required for this role.
Seeking candidates with multiple years of professional experience in a relevant field. Applicants must possess a proven track record in roles directly aligned with the position’s core functions. Demonstrated expertise through hands-on involvement in similar responsibilities is essential for consideration.
A minimum of eight years of progressive experience in finance and accounting is required, including at least three years in a senior or specialist capacity. Preference will be given to candidates with prior work in an international NGO or a donor-funded setting.
Preferred Requirements
Individuals should possess hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, with a preference for familiarity with Workday specifically.
Professional experience within an international nongovernmental organization or a donor-funded initiative is required.
Professional rewrite:
Proven track record in overseeing grants from institutional donors, including entities such as UN Agencies, BMZ, and the Adaptation Fund.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
8 years
