GRAMEEN-JAMEEL PAN-ARAB MICROFINANCE LIMITED, LEBANON - FOR POSITIONS IN DUBAI, UAE

Our Client, Grameen-Jameel Pan-Arab Microfinance Limited is a for-profit limited liability company jointly owned by Grameen Foundation and Abdul Latif Jameel Group. The company''s core objective is poverty alleviation in the Arab world through microfinance. Grameen-Jameel''s vision is to reach one million new active microfinance clients in the Arab world by 2011. In order to achieve this, the company forms strategic partnerships with microfinance institutions (MFIs) throughout the region who share its values: commitment to reaching women and the poorest; aggressive growth plans; and financial sustainability.
Grameen Foundation is a global non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that combines microfinance, technology, and innovation to empower the world''s poorest people to escape poverty. Founded in 1997 with the support of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, GF has a global network of 52 partners in 22 countries.

They are seeking to hire the services of Finance and Administration Manager.

Job Description:
The Manager of Finance and Administration is responsible for the overall effectiveness of the financial and administrative functions of the office. As operations ramp up in a new location, the Manager of Finance and Administration will design and implement policies and procedures for managing budgeting, banking, purchasing, accounting, human resources and facilities management to ensure that the organization is managed efficiently.
Essential Job Functions:
Budgeting
- With input from staff, prepare budgets and monitor actual performance against budget forecast;
- Oversee preparation of budget and variance reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis
- Ensure compliance with Board policies and procedures;
- Keep General Manager informed about any major budgeting issues and impact of operational changes on budget;
Accounting:
- Recommend and oversee installation of accounting software system;
- Oversee timely and accurate recording of all financial transactions and timely settlement of obligations and collections;
- Oversee production of accurate financial reports on monthly, quarterly and annual basis including balance sheet, cash flow statements/forecasts, income statements and retained earning statement in accordance with accounting principals;
- Recommend external auditor to General Manager and Board:
- Oversee annual financial audit performed by outside accounting firm;
- Respond to accounting inquiries in a timely fashion;
Purchasing:
- Establish policies and procedures as well as a purchase authority matrix for the purchasing function ensuring an appropriate system of checks and balances are in place for approval by the General Manager;
- Ensure that purchasing policies are followed and that a competitive process is in place for major expenditures to ensure that costs are appropriate;
- Maintain vendor relationships necessary to procurement;
- Responsible for procuring all office supplies, equipment, furniture, and services (including IT outsourcing) for efficient running of the office;
Banking:
- Select a commercial bank for corporate accounts, including corporate credit cards for employees;
- Manage banking relationship;
- Oversee tracking of cash deposits and transfers as well any currency exchange issues; oversee reconciliation of bank statements;
- Manage credit card purchase/payments process;
Human Resources:
- Maintain relationship with search firm and other services for identifying candidates for vacant position;
- Develop hiring processes and templates for employee offers, contracts, evaluations etc.;
- Maintain employment files and ensure annual evaluations are performed for all staff;
- Oversee payroll and payment of applicable taxes;
- Develop employee benefit package and write employee manual to include policies on sick leave, vacation, maternity leave, personal use of phones and email; expense policies, office hours, holiday schedule, etc.;
Facility Management:
- Responsible for office and GM housing leases and relationship with respective landlords;
- Responsible for on-going maintenance and cleaning of office and equipment;
- Responsible for office vehicles;
- Maintain office asset inventory;
Supervise Finance and Administrative staff including Accountant, Communication and Marketing Officer, Driver and Kitchen Assistant;
Report activities and challenges to supervisor on a regular basis;
Other duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Fluency in English, Arabic ability a plus;
Detail-oriented professional with strong analytical & problem solving skills;
Excellent interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills; ability to work in a team environment;
Takes initiative and does not require constant supervision or instructions to get job done;
Experience in developing and implementing administrative and financial systems, policies and procedures;
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook;
Experience with accounting software packages for small businesses;
Knowledge of UAE regulatory and business environment;
Commitment to eradication of poverty in the Middle East & North Africa.

Education and Experience:
Masters Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or other relevant degree;
Supervisory experience;
Five or more years of work experience in managing administration, finance and accounting functions.