Vacancy: Finance Officer

Company Profile

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.  

Job Description

BACKGROUND

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is a faith based International Development Organization based in Canada and operating since 1953. MEDA is currently implementing a seven- year (2015- 2022) Farmers’ Economic Advancement Through Seedlings or FEATS Project in Ghana with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for improving the productivity, profitability, and well-being of tree crop farmers by facilitating access to high quality planting materials. The FEATS Project aims to improve the economic well-being of farmers in export-linked tree crops industries and plans to facilitate the development of viable and sustainable commercial supply chains and markets for high quality tree seedlings. The Project is targeted at 100,000 male and female farmers, 36 small enterprises and their employees including 25 tree-sector farmers and industry associations. The project aims to facilitate the distribution of 21 million quality tree seedlings, primarily of Cocoa, Cashew, Rubber and Shea over its six (6) year tenure. To learn more about MEDA and our work, please visit www.meda.org

The FEATS project’s core areas of work are: (1) Business Capacity with a focus on farmer capacity building (2) financial capacities focusing on provision of purchase discounts towards purchase of seedlings by farmers, improving access to financial products in partnership with financial institutions (3) seedling supply and distribution by facilitating the establishment of seedling distribution centers (4) policy and advocacy support for the tree crops sector. Crosscutting areas of focus are gender, environment, youth and child labor.

In addition to regular financial management requirements for the operation of an active NGO, FEATS project involves the capacity building for the 36 Small & Micro Enterprises including supporting the SMEs to prepare quarterly financial statement in format acceptable to MEDA and the keeping of proper documentation of all expenditures, etc.

MEDA hereby require the services of a Finance Officer with the competencies, qualifications and skills set as set out below:

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Assist the Finance Manager prepare for internal and external audits


• Make entries for preparation of financial reports


• Prepare JVs for requests by staff


• Ensure prompt payment of statutory deductions


• Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.


• Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.


• Other duties as assigned by the Finance Manager

Required Skills or Experience

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Strong work ethic and ability to carry out duties at a high professional level.


• Communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and written.


• Have the ability to work extra hours to meet tight deadlines


• Exercise a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and diplomacy.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

• A Higher National Diploma/Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or Economics


• Working knowledge of general accounting standards


• Knowledge in the use of accounting software (preferably Sage 300)


• At least a year’s working experience in an accounting environment


• Experience working with INGOs or in project environment.


• Very conversant with MS office software packages


• Ability to work in a multicultural environment