PROJECT BACKGROUND: Funded by the USAID iSTREAM project, Internews supports the organizational capacity development of two national NGOS, Eye Media and The Radio Community. The objective of the Strengthening Free and Independent Media in South Sudan (i-STREAM) program – a 5-year cooperative agreement running from FY 2013-FY 2018 – is to strengthen a free and independent media in South Sudan, with an emphasis on building professionalism, production capacities, freer and open environment and self-sustainability of the media sector.
Eye Media (EM)
- EM is a 100% South Sudanese nonprofit media development organization (NGO) incorporated in 2012. It has received subgrant funding from Internews since 2013 and has been independently operating (with advisory support) since October 2014.
- EM manages Eye Radio, a Juba-based FM station with national expansion plans underway via the installation of repeater transmitters in state capitals. Started in 2003 as Sudan Radio Service (SRS) with funding from USAID, Eye Radio is South Sudan’s first independent broadcaster. In 2010, Eye Radio 98.6 FM went on air in Juba and now broadcasts seven days a week, 24 hours a day in English and Simple Arabic providing detailed, objective news and information, programs related to education, health, agriculture and other important issues, music, sports and entertainment.
- EM is committed to a full service model – to inform, educate and entertain – blending a public service broadcasting mission with a commercial sound and line-up to attract more listeners and advertisers, and ensure both achievement of its mission and its sustainability.
The Radio Community (TRC)
- With a commitment to community-based public service broadcasting, The Radio Community currently operates as a iSTREAM directly managed by Internews. It currently operates local language stations in 4 locations outside Juba: Turalei, Malualkon, Mingkaman and Kapoeta.
- The Radio Community (TRC) has been registered as a 100% South Sudanese national NGO to manage a network of small FM radio stations across the country. It is in the preparatory phase for a staged transition to local ownership. Its management team (Hub) has been setup and is receiving leadership and management training and professional development support.
- Plans are underway to design and setup basic organizational systems and policies in the next 6 months in order to prepare TRC to receive its first subgrant in Oct 2017. The priority has been placed on design/setup of TRC finance/accounting systems, policies and related management/staff training.
Supporting a transition to local ownership, an international team of expert trainers/mentors (Internews EM and TRC Support Departments) works side-by-side with national staff, providing support to build its editorial, programming, management and administration, sales and marketing capacities, and organizational and financial sustainability.
GENERAL FUNCTION: Under the supervision of the Organizational Development Advisor, the position will be embedded within each organization to train, mentor and advise the staff, and guide design, development and consistent application of systems and workflows (standard operating policies and procedures) that support the effective, efficient and funder compliant fulfilment of Finance and Accounting functions. The position will also provide operations advisory support.
Counterparts (*lead) at each NNGO are:
- Eye Media: *Business Manager, Finance Manager, Finance Officer (as well as Operations Officer)
- The Radio Community: Business Manager and *Network Managing Editor
S/he will work within the framework of Internews core values, the capacity building approach of the Internews advisory team, and in support of each NNGO’s mission, organizational priorities and work plan. S/he will act as a professional mentor/coach and technical counterpart to build the capacity and professional development of each NNGO while modeling the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, and organizational best practices.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Act as a professional mentor/coach and technical counterpart to build capacity and professional development of the each NNGO’s Finance/Accounting team/function, and also support the development of the Operations team/function.
- Working closely with the ODA, the Advisor shall regularly brief and coordinate his/her activities with the NNGO lead counterparts.
- Train the Finance/Accounting staff in best practices and core responsibilities of the Finance/Accounting function, including all aspects of the monthly accounting cycle, design/rollout of policies and procedures and use of QBs.
- Train management in how to oversee, manage and monitor the Finance/Accounting function.
- For TRC, assess requirements and needs (through in-depth consultation with NNGO management and Internews ODA), propose design of new organization’s business administration (with focus on finance/accounting and support to operations) systems, policies and procedures, staff roles and responsibilities, workflows, approvals and authorities matrix, etc. Build and implement timeline and project manage the process, based on goals and deadlines set.
- Building on progress and learnings to date, and the Advisor’s assessment, s/he will design a proposed work plan, including recommended approach, priorities and timeline under the guidance of the ODA, with inputs from counterpart management.
- S/he will also develop individual staff development/training plans in collaboration with each NNGO’s management.
- Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
At all times, the advisor will work to build the capacity of the South Sudanese teams to:
- Review/rollout Finance/Accounting team roles and responsibilities clearly and concisely, promote strategies for effective teamwork, and cultivate collaborative working relationships across the organization. Develop/Review/update JDs as necessary and train staff in roles to ensure effective separation of duties, internal controls and workload management.
- Establish effective systems for monitoring treasury/cash flow management and mitigating risk, especially local currency, exchange rate and forex risk in context of South Sudan reserve bank policies and current macro-economic climate.
- Assess options and adapt/setup systems to best manage liability accounts, e.g. NSIF (statutory social insurance fund), 13th month and vacation accruals, severance in accordance with donor and local labor law requirements (EM).
- Refine and operationalize finance, accounting and reporting systems for NNGO revenue streams (program income) including invoicing, Accounts Receivables, collections, revenue analysis/projections, and management and donor reporting requirements, ensuring effective internal controls are in place.
- As applicable, support NNGOs to successfully prepare for and complete annual internal and external audits.
- Implement timely, accurate, compliant weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial and accounting processes (month-end close/recon check-list, monthly donor reporting, quarterly budget vs actual review/analysis and pipeline, etc.)
- Establish and carry out regular budget monitoring. Assist NNGOs in financial planning and analysis.
- Develop, implement and monitor performance against annual work plan, based on the priorities and goals set by the NNGO management and Internews ODA.
- Building on progress to date, ensure effective use QuickBooks in all essential accrual-based accounting functions (bookkeeping, basic donor/grant and management/corporate reporting, management of Accounts Receivables/invoicing, etc.).
- Rollout and ensure compliance with Chart of Accounts manual. For TRC, propose design and build/setup new accounting system (CoA, etc) in QuickBooks with oversight of ODA.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA, ACCA and/or equivalent relevant experience and certifications, practicing under US Generally Accepted Accounting Principal (US GAAP) and/or International Accounting Standards.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in finance and accounting in the nonprofit sector, preferably within an international development context. Understanding/experience of the South Sudanese or other similar operating environments in Africa a plus.
- High level proficiency in QuickBooks as a user and trainer, as well as MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint required.
- Experience in other business administration functions, especially operations/administration a plus.
- In-depth knowledge of international donor funding rules and regulations required, particularly those applicable for USAID cooperative agreements, e.g. knowledge of and experience with USG federal compliance rules, regulations and standards. Knowledge of indirect costs methodologies and rate application.
- Experience working with local partners, ability to design systems, processes that suit a small local NGO requirements to ensure effective uptake and consistent, sustainable implementation by the NGO national staff team.
- Familiarity with finance and accounting system requirements for nonprofit organizations with commercial revenue generating activities, in addition to multiple grant/donor funding streams.
- Demonstrated ability:
- Establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships through collaboration, negotiation and teamwork.
- As a patient and good listener, who motivates, understands and adapts to the needs of mentored staff from diverse backgrounds and expertise.
- Applying management, organization and problem-solving skills to a complex, changing operating context requiring adaptability, flexibility, determination.
- Exercising judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques for obtaining results.
- Successfully operating in a conflict environment in a calm, reflective, collaborative way that engenders trust and builds social capital with the local partner, modeling leadership, professionalism, sound judgment and the highest ethical standards.
- Strong analytical, training, oral and written communication, and team-building skills.
This position is based in Juba, South Sudan. Due to the current security context in South Sudan, international staff are housed (individual units, room and board provided) in a full service group residential compound with other Internews staff and other international organizations. Transportation is also provided to/from work. Medical clearance is required and a security briefing will be provided prior to arrival in country.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please follow these specific instructions when completing your application. Along with your CV highlighting experience relevant to the role, a brief cover letter is REQUIRED outlining the following: why you are interested in the position, how you would apply your past experience (functional and training/mentoring) to this role and context, how you heard about the position, salary expectations (range) and/or biodata/salary history, a minimum of two (2) professional references, your availability as far as duration/length of assignment and earliest available start date/notice period.
Benefits Information:
This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network’s offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our About Working for Internews page.