Accounts Manager

Position: Accounts Manager

Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands plus travel to other in-country offices

Application Deadline: 29 October 2021

Type of contract: 3 years fixed-term contract (option to renew based on performance and budget)

Language(s) required: English (proficient/fluent writing and oral skills)

ABOUT WORLDFISH

WorldFish is an international, non-for-profit research organization that works to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty by improving fisheries and aquaculture. With a 45-years track record of leading-edge science, WorldFish generates research evidence and innovations to inform sustainable practices and inclusive policies that enable better livelihoods and healthier diets for millions of poor people, particularly women, who depend on fish for food, nutrition and income. WorldFish is a member of CGIAR, the world’s largest global partnership on agriculture research and innovation for a food secure future. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia and with regional offices across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, WorldFish leads the cross-disciplinary CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Fish Agri- Food Systems (FISH).

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Accounts Manager will lead the finance function in WorldFish Solomon Islands Office. This role includes implementing strategic financial decisions, ensuring that proper accounting and bookkeeping procedures are performed in accordance with international accounting standards, providing timely and accurate financial reports to management and donors; and ensuring that WorldFish’ policies and guidelines, and donors’ rules and regulations are adhered to.

The Accounts Manager will also be responsible for the supervision of finance staff in Solomon Islands, as well as providing training to staff as and when needed. S/he is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues in and outside Solomon Islands, staff at donor/partner organizations, government and bank officials and any other stakeholders, to deliver organization and project outcomes.

The successful candidate will be responsible to:

• Successfully manage all financial and accounting matters for Solomon Islands including accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash flow forecasting, monthly journals, accruals, fish sales revenue recording, etc.
• Successfully manage end of month process and monitor outstanding items on a regular basis, such as Trial Balance reviews, advance payments, deposits, travel & expenses, credit card expenses, debtors, creditors, cash journals, unconverted sales orders, assets and liquidations).
• Analysis and timely closure of all open items, monthly general ledger reconciliation reports including bank reconciliations.
• Supervise Finance staff in Solomon Islands and ensure that local finance and accounting procedures comply with international accounting standards and donors’ reporting and operational requirements (particularly procurement requirements).
• Assist Country Director and Project Leaders in proposal developments and/or contract negotiations, and proposal budgeting. Monitoring and Reviewing of spending levels for the Solomon Islands cost center budget.
• Ensure efficient implementation of OCS modules relating to financial processes in Solomon Islands Office, including establishing and implementing capacity and knowledge building programs with staff, and identifying emerging challenges and opportunities including the resolution of any problems arising during this process.
• Directly support Project Leaders in financial and resources management, including project FTE cost calculation, budget creations and revisions, certifying and submitting reports on bilateral grant projects according to specific donor rules and requirements.
• Maintaining and monitoring cash flow of projects to ensure adequate fund balance to run projects including timely request for funds to HQ.
• Coordinate and respond to external and internal audits (related to banking, accounting, budget and finance), and ensure that all audit recommendations are followed up and implemented on a timely basis.
• Responsible for proper maintenance of all finance files and their archiving.

Requirements

This job is open for individuals with the following skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in Finance or Accounting.
• A full member of an international professional accountancy body (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CPA), with minimum 3 years in a people manager’s role.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant work experience of which at least 2 years are from a similar managerial role.
• Excellent working knowledge of accounting processes and management.
• Strong leadership skills, particularly with regards to team capacity building and able to manage diversity and gender issues. The position holder must demonstrate that s/he is able to make high-level decisions on a timely basis, set priorities, meet deadlines and solve problems.
• Must be conversant with international accounting standards i.e. IFRS/IAS and donor rules and regulations (USAID/EU) relating to project/program accounting and financial reporting.
• Should be knowledgeable in local laws and regulations i.e. labour laws, business/contract law and tax legislation.
• Good command of English (both verbal and written).
• Strong sense of professionalism, business ethics and integrity.
• Hands-on experience with reputable ERP systems such as Oracle and SAP; and have working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Teams applications.
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Have worked for USAID/EU funded projects in similar capacity including facilitating donor audits and implementing audit recommendations.

Salary & Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with salary circa SBD13,086/- per month. WorldFish NRS receive comprehensive benefits including (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, housing allowance (flat rate per month), employer NPF contribution and paid leave.

Recruitment Process

The position will be based in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Candidates will be longlisted and shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and satisfactory completion of written assessments in English. Interviews consisting of a short presentation followed with formal interview will be held virtually with shortlisted candidates in November 2021. Only shortlisted candidate will be notified and expected to attend the interview. The successful candidate should be available to commence as soon as possible for an initial of three (03) years fixed-term contract, with the possibility of contract renewal depending on performance and funding situation.