Finance officer – (Somali Nationals only)

Ministry of Energy and Water Resources - Jubaland State of Somalia 

Call for Vacancy Applications

Finance officer – (Somali Nationals only)

Location:                                                              Kismayo, Jubaland State of Somalia

Application Deadline:                                   31-August-2021 (Midnight EAT)

Reporting To:                                                     Admin & Finance Director /DG

Languages Required:                                     English and Somali

Starting Date:                                                    September, 2021

Contractual period:                                        1 year (with possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability)

The MoEWR-JSS is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The MoEWR-JSS does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Canvassing shall lead to Automatic Disqualification

BACKGROUND and JOB PURPOSE:

Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia has been subject to widespread violence and instability for many years. However, the situation has improved in recent years and with the new federal government, Somalia has entered into a new and promising phase of its modern history. Today, the focus is on peace, institutional building and development. Emerging out of two and half decades of civil war and state collapse, new Somali state is at a crossroad. There are substantial challenges of water scarcity in the country, which suffers from all types of water scarcities. Moreover, Somalia has very low adaptive capacity due to its social resource scarcity and lack of human resources.

In one hand, Somalia is located in an extreme water scarce area, where most of the available water resources exist in rivers shared with neighboring countries and demand for water is increasing due to the population and urban growth. Further increase in water demand is expected when the current civil unrest is ended. In addition, climate change is affecting the country, as the rainfall pattern is changing and the droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. On the other hand, Somalia is lacking, not only easily available water resources, both also the human and financial resources to set up institutions and water infrastructures that are desperately needed for survival of communities and economic recovery.

In addition, facilities that have previously been set up for water supply and irrigation were totally destroyed during the civil war and lot of data is now lost. Moreover, water supply activities are entirely run by unregulated private sector, with no common vision and coordination thus no respect for the environment and for what happens to water after use.

In this regard, the international organization of Migration (IOM) have secured funding from AfDB for urban water supply and sanitation project for Kismayo and Baidoa towns of Jubaland and South West States respectively. In collaboration with Ministry of Energy & Water resources of the Federal Government of Somalia and line Ministries from both Jubaland and South West States will implement the urban water supply and sanitation project.

Despite the targeted urban towns contributing significantly to the country’s social and economic development, rapid urbanization has stretched the towns’ ability to meet demand for basic services including water and sanitation services. The towns are experiencing a high influx of IDP’s which coupled with a high youth unemployment rate are contributing to increased fragility with Kismayo ranked among the top 3 most fragile cities in the world (World Economic Forum, 2017). There is hence an urgent need to assist the towns in service delivery improvement, thus contributing to strengthening governance and reducing fragility.

The project will strengthen national knowledge on availability and quality of both Surface and Ground water resources providing the opportunity for regulated and sustainable water use. The project builds - on the experience from the on-going Bank interventions. Information from various sources routinely gathered as part of the monitoring and evaluation framework will be shared among stakeholders through joint reviews and other fora. Knowledge products also include sharing lessons on; (i) initiatives to promote PPPs in fragile environments, (i) effects of climate change on sea water intrusion in coastal aquifers and (iii) serve as a road map to replicating conflict-sensitive government approaches in management of scarce water resources in Arid and Semi - Arid Areas in the Horn of Africa and contributing to social resilience.

As the Jubaland state Ministry of Energy and water Resources was recently established its organizations, functions and services are still to be developed. Yet, the demands on the Ministries are rising quickly; investments need to be regulated, the water sector to be reformed, and water resources management to be improved and regulated at the lowest appropriate levels

We are on the hunt for a highly-analytical and qualified Financial Officer to join our project implementation team (PIT). In this position, you will be responsible for the financial management of the Project. Your duties will include planning budgets, participating in audits, monitoring transactions, and preparing invoices. To succeed in this role, you must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of financial policies, procedures, and systems. In addition to being an excellent communicator, our ideal candidate will also have outstanding analytical and time management abilities.

THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGMENT

Under the overall guidance of the Admin & Finance Director/DG and direct supervision of the Project, the Finance Officer is responsible for reconciling account balances and bank statements, maintaining general ledger and preparing month-end close procedures. Must have excellent analytical skills with a thorough knowledge of accounting principles to analyze financial reports and forecasts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE JOB

• Overall responsibility for all aspects of financial management and control.
• Effective financial reporting for IOM, in a timely, accurate, relevant and informative manner.
• General administration duties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FINANCE OFFICER

The Financial officer will be expected to deliver the followings:

1. Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved through the financial plans of the project.
2. Develops and/or participates in the development of financial management tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies
3. Continues to seeks new and improved financial methods and systems for accomplishing the work
4. Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
5. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments for the successful implementation of the project
6. Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
7. Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services
8. Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively
9. Solicits feedback on service provision and quality
10. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

DELIVERABLES

The Financial officer will be expected to deliver the followings:

1. Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and strives until successful outputs are achieved through the financial plans of the project.
2. Develops and/or participates in the development of financial management tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies
3. Continues to seeks new and improved financial methods and systems for accomplishing the work
4. Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
5. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments for the successful implementation of the project
6. Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
7. Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services
8. Uses discretion and flexibility in interpreting rules in order to meet client needs and achieve organizational goals more effectively
9. Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

EDUCATION

1. Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or relevant field.
2. Be a qualified/part qualified accountant (CPA, ACA, CIMA), with experience in either industry or practice; or alternatively be able to demonstrate substantial experience in an existing similar role.
3. In-depth knowledge of IOM financial regulations and accounting processes.

EXPERIENCES

1. 4 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in financial management.
2. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web-based management systems.
3. Experience in working with government institutions in Jubaland and South West states and UN, is an added advantage;
4. Experience with and familiarization with IOM financial rules and regulations.
5. Experience with IOM e-tendering platform and ATLAS contract management

SKILLS MIX REQUIREMENTS

1. A demonstrated ability to analyze, formulate sector and sub-sector policies, strategies and programs, and to prepare well written and researched policy documents;
2. Strong and proven presentation techniques and public speaking skills;
3. Functional leadership, administration skills and financial management;
4. Ability to work with multiple stakeholders both internal and external
5. Ability to manage a diverse team and partner relationships, and problem-solving techniques;
6. Excellent communication skills; proven report writing skills; computer literacy; highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
7. Ability to handle a high volume of information, to analyze and feed into reports, strategic and policy documents, and to provide summaries of key information as required;
8. A reliable independent person, a self-starter who is able to work without supervision, show initiative yet is a strong, cooperative team player;
9. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English and Somali.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. Giving objective advice based on sound analysis and accumulated knowledge
2. Focusing on outcomes
3. Giving purpose and direction
4. Gives objective advice based on sound analysis
5. Focuses on outcomes
6. Gives purpose and direction
7. Thinks strategically
8. Involves people in decision-making
9. Communicates effectively
10. Displays an intelligent awareness of the political environment
11. Prepares plans with clear short- and long-term objectives
12. Functions effectively in a team of professionals

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications (updated CV and Cover Letter) at Email Address: [email protected]  giving copy to dg- [email protected]  and [email protected]  by 31 August 2021 (Midnight, EAT) indicating at the Subject as per Title “APPLICATION for THE POSITION OF FINANCE OFFICER”

**Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted**