Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was founded in 1951 and is the principal United Nations agency responsible for migration. IOM works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. The organization provides services and advice to governments and migrants, ensuring that migration is safe, dignified, and beneficial for all parties involved. IOM operates in over 100 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities of migration.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position at IOM involves a variety of financial and accounting tasks aimed at supporting the organization's operations in Goma. The role requires the extraction and input of data from various financial systems, responding to accounting and budget queries, and verifying payment requests against supporting documents. The Finance Assistant will monitor bank account movements, maintain an effective banking system, and assist in the preparation of monthly funding requests to ensure sufficient funds are available. This position is crucial for ensuring that financial transactions are processed accurately and efficiently, contributing to the overall financial health of the organization. The Finance Assistant will also provide assistance to staff services, ensuring proper documentation and filing of all accounting records, and will be responsible for managing petty cash. This role is essential for maintaining the integrity of financial operations within IOM and requires a detail-oriented individual who can work effectively under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Extract and input data from various financial or accounting systems.
• Respond to accounting, budget, or financial queries from staff in the unit and elsewhere.
• Verify payment requests with supporting documents and ensure that invoices are accurate and that goods/services have been received.
• Monitor bank account movements and balances daily, preparing monthly bank reconciliations.
• Assist the Resource Management Officer (RMO) in preparing Monthly Mission Funding Requests.
• Verify vendor requests for accuracy and compliance with IOM finance policies.
• Perform claim verifications against documentation to ensure proper authorization of purchases/services.
• Prepare necessary receipt and journal vouchers.
• Assist in the preparation of budget, accounting, financial, and statistical reports as required. 1
• Provide assistance to staff services such as travel, expense claims, and document retrieval. 1
• Ensure systematic filing of all posted payments and accounting documents. 1
• Manage the office's petty cash. 1
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Finance Assistant position should possess the following qualifications:

• High School diploma with four years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finances, or related fields with two years of relevant professional experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Previous experience with SAP and Oracle is a distinct advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to organize paperwork methodically.
• Discretion, client-oriented attitude, patience, and a willingness to learn new things.
• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations or government institutions in a multicultural setting is an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have either a High School diploma with four years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finances, or related fields with two years of relevant professional experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the financial principles and practices that will be applied in the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience if they hold a Bachelor’s degree, or four years of relevant experience if they have a High School diploma. Experience in financial management, accounting, or related fields is crucial, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Previous experience with financial software such as SAP and Oracle is highly desirable, as is experience working in international humanitarian organizations or government institutions.

Languages:
Fluency in French (oral and written) is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. A working knowledge of English is also required, as it may be necessary for communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning only candidates holding a valid residence and work permit for the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be considered. Any offer made to the candidate is contingent upon funding confirmation. The selection process may be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar positions for a period of 24 months. Candidates must also be certified as medically fit for appointment, and their residency, visa, and authorizations will be verified by the concerned government where applicable. IOM has a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. IOM does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system.