Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Established with a mission to provide essential services and support to vulnerable populations, RI operates in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization employs over 7,000 staff and local volunteers who work collaboratively to deliver programs in Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods. RI is an alliance of four organizations—Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe—operating under a unified leadership structure to enhance the effectiveness of their humanitarian efforts. Their approach emphasizes evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart programming that is inclusive and tailored to the needs of local communities.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the financial management, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting of projects within the organization. This position is vital for ensuring compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and government regulations. The Finance Officer will oversee financial transactions, account reconciliations, budget monitoring, financial reporting, and partner-grantee financial management. Reporting directly to the Country Finance Manager, the Finance Officer will provide analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, forecasts, and strategic advice to facilitate effective project implementation and informed decision-making. Additionally, the role involves leading financial management functions at the Cotabato office and enhancing the financial capacity and accountability of project staff and partner-grantees through guidance and technical support. The Finance Officer is expected to maintain high standards of financial integrity and accountability while fostering collaboration among various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer's responsibilities include managing project financial transactions, maintaining accounting records, performing reconciliations, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies. Key duties involve monitoring project budgets and expenditures, preparing financial forecasts and variance analyses, and producing timely financial reports to support project implementation. The Finance Officer will provide financial guidance and strategic advice to project teams and partner-grantees, lead financial management functions at the field office level, and strengthen financial accountability across project stakeholders. Specific tasks include documenting all financial transactions, reconciling bank accounts, reviewing daily/monthly financial transactions, verifying the accuracy of financial reports from partner-grantees, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The Finance Officer will also prepare budget forecasts, provide timely financial reports, and support the project team in implementing strict financial processes. Additionally, the role requires providing strategic financial advice to the Country Finance Manager and fostering collaboration among project staff and partner-grantees.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree (BS/BA) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Proven, in-depth experience with Philippine tax laws is essential, including hands-on experience in BIR tax calculation, declaration, reconciliation, and timely submission. Candidates should demonstrate personal and professional integrity, a strong sense of accountability, and a commitment to achieving excellence and high standards. A minimum of three years of continuous experience working in a finance department of an International Non-Government Organization is required, along with extensive experience in budgeting, supporting audits, and donor reporting. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including skills in Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and complex formulas, is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Candidates must have a solid understanding of financial principles and practices, particularly in the context of non-profit organizations. A degree in accountancy or a related discipline is essential for this role, as it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for effective financial management and compliance with relevant regulations.

Experience:
The Finance Officer position requires a minimum of three years of continuous experience working in a finance department of an International Non-Government Organization. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing financial transactions, budgeting, and reporting in a complex organizational environment. Experience with Philippine tax laws and regulations is crucial, as is familiarity with donor compliance and financial reporting requirements. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in financial analysis, forecasting, and providing strategic financial advice to support project implementation.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills required for effective collaboration and reporting. While English is the primary language for communication within the organization, knowledge of local languages may be considered an advantage, particularly for engaging with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks and is categorized under the P4 professional level in the finance job family. The role does not have direct reports or budget responsibility but involves significant interaction with internal stakeholders such as Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and Program teams, as well as external stakeholders including partners, banks, government agencies, and auditors. The Finance Officer will be expected to travel as needed to fulfill job responsibilities. The organization values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability, and seeks candidates who embody these values in their professional conduct.