Finance Officer, BUILDING BRICKS

Location: Kingston, Jamaica

Reports to: Senior Manager

Position Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term

Classification: National employee

Language requirements: English

Eligibility: Must be legally able to work in Jamaica

ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL:

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Find out more at www.cusointernational.org

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Cuso in collaboration with the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), will implement the Building Balanced, Rights-Centered, Inclusive, Cohesive and Knowledgeable Societies (BUILDING BRICKS) Initiative from 2024 to 2028 in eight Official Development Assistance-eligible countries in the Caribbean Community: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.

Cuso International, CVC and ECADE will draw on experiences, lessons learned and good practices working with local/regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQ2IA+) organizations/networks in the eight countries, promoting the human rights of LGBTQ2IA+ people in all their diversity, with the ultimate aim of increased enjoyment of their rights and advancement of gender equality in the Caribbean.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, the Finance Officer will handle the regional project’s administrative, logistical, accounting and financial systems in accordance with Cuso and GAC’s financial requirements from the Jamaica office in coordination with the Canada Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate closely with BUILDING BRICKS Project Coordinator (PC) to effectively manage and monitor the project budget and execution in conjunction with the In-country Program Support Officers (ICPSOs across the eight (8) countries.
• In coordination with PC, provide remote financial and administrative support to In-Country Project Support Officers in Caribbean islands to implement project activities.
• Ensure all financial and administrative transactions relating to volunteers and programs for the BUILDING BRICKS regional project are processed effectively and in a timely manner, consistently with Cuso and GAC’s financial policies and procedures.
• Maintain an orderly, accessible and confidential filing system (print & digital) of finance and general office documents.
• Manage the payroll for all staff and volunteers for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Print and distribute staff payslips as required and manage filing of staff timesheets for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Prepare and submit monthly project financial reports for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Prepare and submit monthly tax reports.
• Diligently operate and maintain accurate records of petty cash operations.
• Support the Finance Department in Cuso Headquarters in activities related to internal and external financial audits.
• Ensure proper accounting for external partners in accordance with donor conditions.
• Support the development of the annual budget for BUILDING BRICKS and produce regular performance-to-budget reports.
• Oversee the implementation of the annual budget, in compliance with Cuso and GAC’s finance policies and procedures.
• Manage the monitoring of partner funds disbursements and associated budgets, expenses and reports.
• Coordinate closely with CVC and ECADE in the monitoring and tracking of payments issued by Cuso International.
• Coordinate regular meetings with CVC and ECADE to monitor spend and budget execution.
• Coordinate with In-Country Project Support Officers in the eight (8) countries to manage project budget and monitor project expenditure.
• Create budget monitoring tools to effectively manage implementing partners activities.
• Weekly review all bank statements and post all entries into accounting system.
• Prepare the monthly balance sheet account reconciliations for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Prepare the monthly fund request from Cuso’s Canada’s office for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Oversee procurement processes ensuring they are line with Cuso and donor guidelines and manage the process for issuing income invoices.
• Coordinate with the regional team on annual project budget planning and monitoring spending of project budget monthly, quarterly and annually.
• Coordinate with the PM and the Finance Department at Cuso’s Canada office to provide financial information for the development of financial reports for GAC (mid-year and annual financial reports) for BUILDING BRICKS.
• Ensure regular office functions are performed effectively and efficiently (e.g. banking, post office, stationery/supplies, cleaning services and general logistics).
• Be the lead reference point in the office for IT and ensuring adequate support is provided by liaising with Cuso IT staff and external IT service providers as needed.
• Ensure accessibility and maintenance of all volunteer files (print and digital on the shared drive).
• Be the key contact for volunteers and partners for all administrative and logistical queries and issues.
• Ensure all administrative requirements for volunteer arrival, orientation and departure are implemented (eg. volunteer visas).
• Coordinate with PM and regional In-country Project Support Officers on logistical tasks for volunteer component of BUILDING BRICKS, including filing volunteer timesheets, managing volunteer placement activities and supporting partnership portfolio.
• Work with the respective Program staff and colleagues, to take appropriate action to ensure volunteers’ safety at all times and especially in times of civil, military or natural disturbances, and to be an emergency contact for Jamaica volunteers.
• Monitor, verify and follow up on payments for authorized expenditures and facilitate payments during workshops/trainings or events.
• Undertake specific additional program support responsibilities from time to time (e.g. logistical support for in-country volunteers), as may be agreed upon with the Line Manager.

Administration

• Maintain assets inventory for BUILDING BRICKS, including equipment, furniture, supplies, etc.
• Coordinate all administrative procedures and processes, including maintaining filing of key documents/information related to operations, finance and volunteering.
• Support PM and PC on managing travel logistics.
• Coordinate with PM and In-country Project Support Officers in each country on logistical tasks for volunteer component of BUILDING BRICKS, including filing volunteer timesheets, managing volunteer placement information and supporting partnership portfolio.
• Other programmatic tasks as assigned by the PM.

Other Responsibilities

• Carry out any other duties as required by the Finance Department at Cuso’s Canada office and PM as required.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• Relevant accreditation in finances and/or financial management

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of Caribbean taxation processes.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years relevant work experience in financial management associated with the implementation and management of internationally funded bilateral project budgets, including monitoring and budget planning
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience in the not-for-profit sector; experience working with an international organization desirable
• Demonstrated experience working with financial/accounting software and spreadsheets
• Experience managing multiple sub-grantee organizations
• Strong experience in creating accurate and clear financial reports
• Strong record of providing quality customer service to internal and external clients, including volunteers and donors
• Strong administration experience with strong organizational skills and time management abilities
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, databases and excel and willingness to develop skills in order to improve effectiveness
• Strong experience in providing a customer focused service to internal and external clients

Abilities

• Strong attention to detail, including the ability to identify, resolve and correct errors

• Ability to manage time, tight deadlines and working effectively under pressure

• Ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality of financial data

• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural context, in multiple teams that are geographically dispersed

• Fluency in both English, written and spoken is essential for this position

HOW TO APPLY!

Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, personal days, and sick days, and more.

Please click the "Apply for This Job" button to submit your application by March 8, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST). Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox.

Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stages of the hiring process upon request. Thank you for your interest in Cuso International.