Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a diverse workforce committed to addressing the challenges of migration.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position is crucial for supporting the financial operations of IOM Ghana. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Senior Resources Management Officer and the Finance Officer, assisting with all finance-related needs across various programs, projects, and departments. This role involves ensuring the timely review of cash positions, managing local bank relationships, preparing payroll, verifying invoices, and ensuring proper documentation for payments. The Finance Assistant will also draft correspondence, assist in funding requests, and maintain systematic filing of financial documents. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management and the ability to work collaboratively with different units within IOM.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review the cash position of local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements.
• Act as a point of contact with local bank management for operational matters and cash management.
• Assist in payroll preparation by executing validity checks on monthly payroll results.
• Review and ensure all supporting documentation and signatures are obtained before finalizing vouchers.
• Verify invoices and ascertain that the related equipment, supplies, or services were duly received before processing payment requests.
• Compute travel claims and imprest accounts, verifying the authenticity of supporting documents.
• Draft routine correspondence, type letters, reports, memoranda, and IOM documents related to operational and administrative matters.
• Format and file correspondence, reports, and documents prepared by staff.
• Assist in preparing funding requests and ensure sufficient local funds are available. 1
• Retrieve filed and archived documents for audits or queries within set time frames. 1
• Ensure proper and systematic filing of all posted payments and accounting documents. 1
• Manage the Petty Cash of the office. 1
• Make recommendations on procedural improvements related to financial, budgetary, and administrative matters. 1
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required 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 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail, Outlook).
• Previous experience in Oracle ERP is a distinct advantage.
• Attention to detail and ability to organize paperwork methodically.
• Discreet, detail-oriented, client-focused, patient, and willing to learn new things.
• Ability to interface across units and departments within IOM to extract relevant information.
• Experience working with vendors and service providers in compliance with IOM procedures.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess either a High School diploma with four years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finances, or related fields from accredited universities recognized by the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience:
The position requires two years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, or four years of relevant experience for those with a High School diploma. Experience in financial management within international humanitarian organizations or government institutions in a multicultural setting is advantageous. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with Oracle ERP systems are also beneficial.

Languages:
Good communication skills in written and spoken English are mandatory. Working knowledge of French and other local languages is considered an asset. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to local recruitment, and only candidates holding a valid residence and work permit for Ghana will be considered. The appointment will be contingent upon medical fitness certification, residency verification, and necessary government authorizations. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.