Responsibilities
Programme/Unit Summary:
The Finance and HR Unit ensures the effective financial management of CESVI’s operations in Syria, providing mission-wide support to guarantee compliance, transparency, and accountability. The Unit oversees budget planning and monitoring, financial reporting, cash management, and adherence to CESVI and donor regulations. It works closely with programme and logistics teams to ensure accurate cost allocation, timely payments, and proper documentation for all expenditures. By strengthening internal controls and building the financial capacity of staff and partners, the Finance Unit enables efficient and compliant implementation of activities and contributes to the overall integrity and sustainability of the Syria Mission.
Position Summary:
The Finance Officer is responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations, administrative coordination, and compliance with organizational and donor standards. The role ensures accurate bookkeeping, sound budget monitoring, and effective financial reporting, while providing critical support to programme teams and maintaining strong communication lines with the Regional Finance Unit. The position plays a key role in ensuring proper allocation of resources, maintaining legal compliance, and safeguarding organizational assets.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Accounting:
• Manage local bank accounts and oversee daily financial operations.
• Prepare payments (cash, card, and bank transfers) in line with internal procedures.
• Prepare and submit payment requests and transfer requests to HQ/regional office.
• Maintain the cashbook and oversee foreign currency exchange and reconciliation.
• Record, track, and reconcile expenses; support the Programme Manager with expenditure forecasts.
• Ensure proper allocation of expenditures to the correct project budget lines.
• Verify accuracy of budget line coding and availability of funds for all purchase requests.
• Prepare and submit interim and final financial reports for projects.
• Prepare and submit all required accounting documentation to HQ/regional finance.
• Ensure compliance with local financial legislation and organizational policies.
Administrative Management:
• Maintain a structured filing and archiving system for all administrative and financial documents.
• Support Programme Managers and CESVI staff in expense management and procurement processes.
• Coordinate administrative tasks, including office maintenance contracts, office rent, vehicle rental, guesthouse rental, inventory control, and related services.
• Collaborate with field teams, HQ, and the Regional Finance Office in preparing internal and external audits.
• Maintain accurate administrative records and support internal control mechanisms.
Safeguarding Accountability:
• Upholds CESVI’s core values by promoting respect, dignity, and the well-being of both program participants and colleagues.
• Fosters a culture of openness and trust within the team, encouraging transparent communication and supporting team members to report any concerns through available channels and established mechanisms.
• Demonstrates a proactive commitment to learning about safeguarding and consistently integrates safeguarding principles, including risk identification and mitigation, into their day-to-day responsibilities.
HR Functions:
Recruitment & Onboarding: Coordinate the full recruitment cycle for national staff (job posting, shortlisting, interviews, references, contracts) in accordance to the Authorization Matrix. Facilitate comprehensive onboarding for new hires.
o Contract & Personnel Files: Prepare, renew, and terminate employment contracts. Maintain secure, confidential, and up-to-date personnel files for all national staff.
o Payroll & Benefits Administration: Calculate and process the national staff payroll accurately and on time. Manage all employee benefits (social security, health insurance, leaves, etc.).
o Performance Management: Support managers in implementing the performance review cycle for national staff, ensuring processes are followed and documented.
o Staff Development & Relations: Act as a trusted point of contact for staff on HR policies. Identify training needs and coordinate professional development opportunities. Help foster a positive and compliant work environment.
o Leave Tracking Management: Tracking the leave records of staff, by using HR.My or internal tracking system. Following up on updating the leave balances on a timely manner.
o Offboarding Facilitation: Manage structured offboarding processes for resignations, non-renewals, and contract terminations, ensuring compliance with local labor law and CESVI procedures.
Qualifications
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in finance, accounting, or budget management (humanitarian or non-humanitarian contexts).
• Previous experience in NGOs and familiarity with AICS-funded projects are strong assets.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office 365.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and international environments.
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• University degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, or related fields (obtained at least 3 years ago).
• Excellent knowledge of accounting software and financial management tools.
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic; good written and spoken English
About us
CESVI is an Italian NGO founded in 1985 and headquartered in Bergamo, Italy. Committed to humanitarian aid, social justice, and sustainable development, CESVI operates in over 20 countries worldwide. The organization began working in Syria in 2023, responding immediately to the devastating earthquakes with emergency assistance.
Since then, CESVI has implemented several projects in Northwest Syria, strengthening the local education system through school rehabilitation, continuous PSS support, and incentives for teachers and staff. Following the change of government, CESVI expanded its operations beyond Northwest Syria and initiated activities in the south (Dara’a Governorate), supported by an upcoming AICS-funded project, with plans to extend interventions to Rural Damascus. Looking ahead, CESVI aims to strengthen protection systems (with a focus on child protection and MHPSS), rehabilitate essential community infrastructure, support emergency livelihoods and climate-sensitive early recovery efforts, and expand partnerships with Syrian civil society to promote localization.