Children of the Nations Hiring for International Finance Specialist Job at Belfast, Northern Ireland Full Time

General Description

• To support the charitable aims and objectives of the ministry by applying a Christian mind and attitude to all aspects of the role, bringing together Christian faith and finance expertise.
• To provide International Liaison and Grant Compliance Officers with complete and accurate financial reporting from each implementing partner organization, enabling them to monitor grant compliance.
• To support implementing partner organizations to achieve excellence in financial management and reporting, in accordance with the Christian principles and ethos with which the charity operates.
• To analyse budgets, reports and procedures and advise on potential efficiency savings.
• Prayerful reliance on God for the financial resources needed for the charity and applying principles of Christian stewardship of those resources.

Ministry/Job Description Detail

• Pray with and for each implementing partner with which the post-holder is working.
• Mentor implementing partners in biblical principles of accounting, service, stewardship and prayer.
• Ensure every implementing partner is tracking their finances accurately – spotting inaccuracies, getting explanations, supporting accountants to correct problems, conducting spot checks.
• Ensure implementing partner finance staff are keeping books according to accounting standards and managing finances according to COTN International (COTNI) Finance Standards of Service (SOS).
• Support the Annual Operational Plan Budget setting process, ensuring that standards are complied with, figures are accurate and by creating an annual consolidated budget.
• Support implementing partner finance staff to prepare materials for their annual audits.
• Ensure COTNI Finance SOS assessment is completed annually with each country, aligning the assessments with locally completed audits, and tracking corrective action progress.
• Provide monthly, and as needed, QuickBooks training and consultation for implementing partner finance staff, ensuring that each is using the most up to date software and supporting a full transition to QuickBooks Online.
• Analyse and review implementing partner financial reporting to identify inefficiencies, underperformance and budget variance and support International Liaison and Grant Compliance Officers to ensure these are understood, investigated and responded to.
• Ensure consistent updating and adherence to the Common Chart of Accounts.
• Make recommendations to COTNI regarding improving efficiency, effectiveness and economy of services.
• Collaborate with International Liaisons and Grant Compliance Officers to monitor exchange rates and economic trends in each implementing country.
• Administer the finances of COTN UK & Ireland, processing donations, gift aid, payments, international transfers and managing payroll. Prepare periodic financial reports for the Director and Board including Annual Accounts and Financial Report to be audited and submitted to the Board and Northern Ireland Charity Commission.
• Represent Children of the Nations – in particular its Christian mission – to partners and at events, fundraisers and conferences, when required.
• Advocate for the work of COTN UK & Ireland among church contacts and others who are likely to be supportive of the aims of the charity.

Personal/ Professional Growth

• Maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of COTN.
• Faithfully uphold COTN’s ministry in prayer.
• Raise awareness and financial support for COTN.
• Foster connectedness to COTN “family” and organization by regular participation in COTN prayer meetings and monthly All-Staff meetings.
• Participate in COTN staff enrichment training sessions when provided.
• Participate in personal/employee goal setting and evaluations, including regular one to ones with UK/Ireland Director.
• Participate in meetings of the COTN UK & Ireland Board when requested to do so.
• Perform all duties in accordance with COTN policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Training

Essential: Completed or partially completed CAI/ACCA/ACA (or equivalent)

Desirable: Full driving license (and has access to a car)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

Experience of international Christian ministry (in a paid or voluntary capacity)

Minimum of 3 years’ experience within an Accounting Role

Detailed knowledge of QuickBooks

Detailed understanding of Biblical Stewardship and its application

Desirable:

Experience working for a charity or Christian mission agency in a similar finance role

Experience of public speaking in a church context

Payroll experience

Knowledge of financial legislation relating to charities

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

Excellent numerical skills with the ability to analyse data, statistics and review budgets and expenditure

Ability to lead prayer meetings and pray for others one on one

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work cross-culturally with sensitivity

Respectfully assertive, ensuring that tasks are completed to a high standard

Ability to run both face to face and remote training and to mentor international teams

Strong computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint and Zoom

Able to work on own initiative

Proven organizational skills and the ability to work to deadlines

Attention to detail and drive to thoroughness

Desirable:

Proficiency in French and/or Spanish

Personal Character

Essential:

Personal faith in Jesus and a passion for reaching the world with the Gospel

Strong commitment to uphold the vision and mission statements of the employer

Strong commitment to prayer

Demonstrates personal integrity and trustworthiness

Willing to work flexibly, including evening and weekend working

Desirable:

Willingness to travel internationally if necessary

Only those applicants who appear from the information contained in the application forms to be the most suitable in terms of relevant experience and ability will be short-listed for interview. You should note that candidates who do not demonstrate how they fulfill all of the essential criteria will not be shortlisted for interview. The employer reserves the right to shortlist on the essential criteria only or on the essential and desirable criteria as identified in the Person Specification as may be appropriate.

It is essential that you fully describe in each section how you meet the particular experience and qualities sought, giving examples and specifying exact dates as appropriate.

Data Protection Statement

The information that you provide on your application form and that obtained from other relevant sources will be used to process your application for employment. The personal information that you give us will also be used in a confidential manner to help us monitor our recruitment process.

If you succeed in your application and take up employment, the information will be used in the administration of your employment. The employer may also use the information if there is a complaint or challenge relevant to this recruitment process.

The employer may check the information collected with third parties or with any other information held by the employer. We may also use or pass to third parties, information to prevent or detect crime, to protect public funds, or in other ways as permitted by law.

By submitting an application it will be assumed that you agree to the processing of sensitive personal data (as described above), in accordance with the principles set out in Data Protection Legislation

Note: This is a work from home position, with regular meetings in Belfast.

Applications must be received by 15th September 2021