Finance Manager – Syria (national applicants only)

About INSO

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) is an international NGO that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations, and training. INSO provides daily support to more than 1,500 NGOs operating in 24 of the world’s most insecure countries. INSO is registered in the Netherlands, with its headquarters located in The Hague, a city renowned for its international focus on peace and justice.

INSO Syria

The Syria program supports more than 290 NGOs to deliver vitally needed aid and assistance to an estimated 13.1 million people in need across the country. First launched as an emergency response operation in 2014, INSO Syria has grown to become a program covering all Syrian governorates, with a Country Office in Damascus. The Syria conflict is unique and complex; you will find that every day is different and there is always more to learn.

Job Summary

In this role, you will be working closely with the Director, with a dotted-line relationship with the regional controller who acts as the technical referent. Finance Manager is responsible for protecting the financial health and integrity of the project by enforcing appropriate accounting and financial procedures and policies, providing timely and accurate financial data to enable project orientation, planning, and decision-making, meeting external reporting and audit requirements, and orienting staff in financial management, audits, and procedures compliance. The location for deployment is Damascus, Syria. Please note that, as part of your application for this position, your cover letter should include answers to the questions listed at the end of this announcement.

Main Responsibilities

• Being part of the Country Office CMT and part of the decision-making team, proactively identifying deviations against the plan and agreeing on corrective actions
• Oversee the financial record-keeping function of the project. Control and reconcile the documentation (expenses, banks and cash, payroll and tax, cost accounting revenue, A/R and A/P accounts). Timely upload the financial information in SUNSYSTEM.
• Develop, in coordination with other departments, the annual budget of the project. Prepare forecasts and monitor expenses. Reconcile the funding outlooks with needs. Identify funding gaps or cash deficits. Alert in an opportune manner to the necessary budgetary adjustments. Control cash flow and cash position of the country organization.
• Responsible for the Annual Plan revision, the Q1 revision, the mid-year review, and the Q3 cross-check.
• Support the Director in the grants management function. Provide financial information required for proposals or grant modifications. Review grant agreements and participate in their negotiation by attending donors’ meetings. Maintain knowledge of principles with respect to the cost of grants; orient the team members in this domain to ensure compliance. Meet deadlines and timely prepare the financial statements for grant reporting in the correct formats.
• Being part of the donor auditor selection process, such as SDC
• Set up a secure filing system for the financial documentation. Act as a focal point during audits and enforce internal and external audit recommendations in a timely fashion. Secure an adequate budget and resources to enable the audit activities.
• Maintain healthy financial practices across the project. Enforce finance working documents and training as needed to ensure staff adherence. Ensure all financial practices implemented across the project comply with standards. Review and authorize transactions within the threshold. Enforce the “four eyes principle” and other appropriate control systems to prevent errors, fraud, or any other ethical breaches. Make recommendations for ongoing improvements in functionality as required.
• Oversee the financial statutory reporting to local authorities. Lead the year-end process and timely provide the required information for the consolidation of INSO global financial statements.
• Provide the leadership oversight and administrative direction to the Project Finance Team. Partake in the recruitment process, orientation, and training of staff with financial functions.
• Collaborate, in a timely and diligent manner, with INSO Headquarters Finance in providing local INSO organization insights that contribute to the global organization’s accounts, budgets, cash flows, and audits. Support building an INSO cross-country financial community, contribute to knowledge-sharing, and provide advice where needed and relevant.

Mandatory Requirements

Essential

• 5+ years of experience in a similar position in the NGO sector.
• Proficient in SUNSYSTEM, the Q&A reporting tool and Excel.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Donor/contract management experience and donor policy knowledge (preferably SDC, FCDO, ECHO and others).
• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, management or economics.
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and practices.
• Ability to handle large amounts of data.
• Close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to direct and supervise.
• Willingness to work in insecure countries.

Personal Attributes

• Well-organized and able to deliver work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• People management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• A good listener and an effective communicator.
• Team player with the capacity to work in a multicultural environment.
• Calm demeanor in stressful or crises.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism – Professionalism and neutrality
• Organization – Organizational and time-management skills
• Resilience – Ability to work under pressure
• Accuracy – Attention to detail and accuracy
• Communication – Interpersonal and communication skills

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Commitment to humanitarian principles.
• Political neutrality and impartiality.
• Integrity and professionalism.
• Respectful engagement with colleagues and partners.

Terms & Conditions

This position is based in Damascus and is only open to individuals with the right to live and work in Damascus. 12-month renewable fixed-term contract,1.75 working days annual leave per month, private health insurance coverage, or allowance.

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers. We ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy throughout the recruitment process. INSO is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and the selected candidate will be required to undergo the relevant misconduct disclosure checks as part of the final hiring steps.

How to apply

Please submit completed applications to jobs@syr.ngosafety.org and reference “Finance Manager” in the subject line.

Please ensure that you complete your cover letter with the following:

• Financial Systems (Max 150 words): Do you have direct experience using SUNSYSTEM and the Q&A reporting tool? If not, please list the specific multi-currency ERP software you have managed in an NGO environment.
• Donor Compliance (Max 150 words): Briefly describe your experience managing grants for institutional donors like SDC, FCDO, or ECHO. What is the largest multi-donor portfolio you have personally overseen?
• Internal Controls (Max 200 words): This role enforces the “four eyes principle.” Give a brief example of a time you identified a financial risk, error, or compliance deviation in your past NGO work and how you corrected it.

Applications should be in English and include:

• An updated CV (maximum 3 pages).
• A cover letter detailing why you are interested in working for INSO and how your qualifications align specifically with the competencies required for the role, in addition to answering the three above questions.

Please do not send any additional information. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.