Program Finance Officer

Act for Peace is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, a council of 19 member churches.  We act for peace by assisting the most conflict and disaster-affected communities to be safe.

For more information on Act for Peace, please visit our website, www.actforpeace.org.au.

Program Finance Officer

• Apply program and organisational finance skills
• Work with an experienced and passionate program team, and international partners
• Permanent, full-time position
• Location: Sydney CBD
• Some international travel (primarily to Pacific Island Countries)

Purpose of the position: To support program staff and overseas partners in the development and maintenance of good program and organisational financial management and accounting practices; to contribute to development and maintenance of internal financial systems; and provide financial reports on our program commitments to management.

Selection Criteria:

1. Three or more years experience in a similar role (preferably with an international aid agency)
2. Experience in capacity building for staff or partners with a variety of levels of competency in program and organizational financial management
3. Tertiary accounting/finance qualifications
4. Experience in internal auditing and development of financial reports for management
5. Excellent interpersonal skills; experience working cross-culturally
6. Proactive and ability to priorities tasks
7. Excellent computer skills incl. Excel and MYOB
8. Ability to travel periodically
9. Training experience preferred but not essential

Key responsibilities:

Program Finance Monitoring & Capacity Building

• Assist in developing program budgets for new programs and tenders
• Support program staff in reviewing, analyzing, and maintaining adequate financial partner records including audit statements, acquittals, and financial systems
• Supervise budget management for implemented programs
• Conduct internal audits for implemented programs
• Provide capacity building support to partners and International Program Coordinators to enhance their skills in project and organisational financial management; support may be provided on a remote basis or during period trips to the field
• Develop tools for monitoring and supporting partner financial management

Act for Peace Program Financial Management

• Assist our Senior Organisational Development & Effectiveness Officer to monitor program financial risks, accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency
• Prepare accounting entries for processing by the Support Services team
• Manage disbursements to overseas partners (transactions are made by our Accounts Payable Officer)
• Contribute to the development of the agencies annual budget
• Assist the Finance Director in preparing the annual financial statements and for the annual external audit
• Participate in development and improvement of our financial systems and risk management in line with our Codes of Conduct; Assist the Finance Director in preparation and management of internal systems
• Attend to matters delegated as part of the Program & Policy team
• Monitor compliance with relevant fundraising legislation

Act for Peace Standard Working Requirements

• Sign and abide by the NCCA and Act for Peace Codes of Conduct
• Uphold humanitarian standards – as set out in the Act for Peace accountability framework
• Commitment to Act for Peace organisational requirements, including attendance at PPT and Act for Peace meetings; completion of all finance and program reporting requirements as per Act for Peace policy and/or line managers directive, adherence to program, HR and finance policies and procedures
• Respect for a multicultural and multi-talented workforce
• It is a requirement of the position to occasionally work outside normal business hours.
• Eligibility to meet the requirements of a police check.
• Act for Peace takes child protection seriously. A working with children suitability check must be undertaken before commencement of employment. For the full Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct please visit: http://www.actforpeace.org.au/About_Us/Our_Policies/Our_Policies1.aspx

Reports to: Senior Organisational Development & Effectiveness Officer, with technical oversight by and close liaison with the Finance Director.

Risks: The position may require travel into areas with international travel advisories. Negotiations will be held at the specific time of preparation for travel.

This position is offered as full-time and permanent. A probationary period of three months will apply.

For full details of this position, please download the information package below, and visit our website, www.actforpeace.org.au.