Finance Assistant

Background:

The Finance Department is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, processing payments, managing cash and bank transactions, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with Yazda’s policies, procedures, and donor requirements.

Job Purpose:

The Finance Assistant will be responsible for supporting the Finance Department in the day-to-day management of financial activities, including financial record-keeping, payment processing, cash and bank management, documentation, and reconciliations, in accordance with Yazda’s policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant is expected to fulfill the following duties: 

  Support the Finance Officer with the recording and updating of financial transactions in the Xero accounting system on a weekly basis.

  Manage the cash book and bank book, ensuring that all entries are accurate, complete, and supported by appropriate documentation. Allocate expenditures according to the defined analytic lines and work with the Finance Manager to monitor and analyze these lines.

  Assist with the review and verification of all financial documentation before payments are processed. Maintain and regularly update the online Payment Tracker.

  Record all financial transactions and conduct the initial review of bank reconciliations. Ensure that the Duhok cash book and bank book are regularly reviewed and updated.

  Prepare bank transfer letters, monitor bank balances to ensure there are no overdrafts, and track and report any interest accrued.

  Liaise with bank authorities on behalf of the Finance Manager when required.

  Conduct weekly and monthly cash counts and cash reconciliations for funds held at the Duhok office, investigate and report any discrepancies identified.

  Prepare cheques for authorized signatures and ensure the timely delivery of signed cheques to the appropriate vendor, individual, staff member, or other authorized recipient.

  Assist the Logistics team with the finalization and maintenance of the Fixed Asset Register.

  Assist with cash transfers and ensure that all required documentation and supporting records are complete and properly maintained.

  Verify the validity and accuracy of invoices, including the quality and required information on invoices, and check that payment vouchers are properly completed, including positions, budget lines, and other relevant information.

  Work closely with the Finance Officer to ensure that all financial documents are properly filed, scanned, and maintained in a timely manner and in accordance with Yazda policies and procedures.

  Organize and maintain accurate financial records for donor-funded projects, ensuring that financial documentation and tracking are maintained according to project and donor requirements.

  Ensure the presence, accuracy, and completeness of all required supporting documentation and relevant authorizations before processing payment and advance requests.

  Follow up with authorized officers when payment requests or supporting documents are incomplete, inaccurate, or require correction.

  Organize, file, and scan all payment vouchers and their related supporting documents after they have been corrected, reviewed, and approved, and ensure that they are properly reflected in the Cash Book and Bank Book on a monthly basis.

  Prepare payment documentation and ensure that all required supporting documents are submitted in accordance with Yazda policies and procedures.

  Provide assistance and cover for the Finance Manager, when required, in the performance of his/her duties, while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties.

  Travel to Sinjar when required to follow up on finance-related payments, documentation, and other financial matters.

  Maintain strict segregation of duties within the Finance Department, as directed and monitored by the Finance Manager, to ensure appropriate internal controls and compliance with Yazda policies and procedures.

• Minimum two years of relevant professional experience in finance, accounting, or a related role.
• A diploma or degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Good understanding of basic accounting and financial procedures, including cash and bank management, payment processing, and reconciliations.
• Fluency in Arabic, English, and Kurmanji (speaking and writing) is required.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, and familiarity with Outlook, SharePoint, and accounting software such as Xero.
• Strong organizational, numerical, analytical, and communication skills.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Prior training or certification in accounting or finance is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.

Interested applicants must send their CV and Cover letter to jobs@yazda.org with a subject “Finance Assistant- JV24926“

Important Notes:

1. When applying, please specify the possible start date and Salary expectation. 

2. All submitted CVs and Cover letters should be in PDF. 

3. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or are submitted after the closing date may not be considered. The interview process may include a technical written test.

4. Due to the urgency of this position, the vacancy may be closed prior to the deadline indicated.

5. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the posting period