Job ID
45144
Job Title
Senior Operations Finance officer - Damascus
To work for
Islamic relief Worldwide - Syria Office
Country
Syria
City
Damascus
Field of Work
Finances/Accountancy
Job Type
Full time
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Finance Officer (Operations) –will lead and oversee all operational finance functions within IR Syria. The role ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of financial transactions, cash management, and fund transfers, maintaining operational continuity during the transition period. This position plays a key role in safeguarding financial integrity, mentoring junior finance staff, and supporting the stabilization and restructuring of the finance department.
Scope of the Role
Reporting to the Finance Coordinator and working closely with the Head of Office and Country Finance Team, the Senior Finance Officer (Operations) will manage daily financial operations, provide quality control over all payments and accounting records, and ensure strong compliance with Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) financial policies, donor regulations, and internal controls.
The post holder will also support recruitment, onboarding, and capacity building for new finance staff during the transition.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Operations Oversight
Supervise and ensure accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions for projects and office operations.
Review, approve, and post all vouchers and journals in Microsoft Dynamics AX, ensuring proper coding and authorization.
Maintain compliance with IRW policies, internal controls, and donor requirements.
Verify payment documentation received from programs, logistics, and procurement before posting.
Ensure that currency exchange, cash management, and fund transfers are properly recorded and reconciled.
2. Cash Management & Fund Transfers
Oversee preparation of monthly cash forecasts and ensure adequate liquidity for operational needs.
Review and approve the Fund Transfer Requests (FTRs) and ensure timely movement of funds to run the operations.
Monitor cashbook reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and monthly closing processes.
Lead periodic cash counts and ensure secure cash handling practices.
3. Staff Payroll & Advances
Supervise the preparation and processing of staff payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
Oversee management of staff advances, project floats, and supplier deposits, ensuring proper recovery and documentation.
4. Compliance, Audit & Reporting Support
Support the audit section preparing the needed financial documentation for the internal and external auditors, and make sure the reconciliations, and supporting schedules maintained on a timely basis.
Ensure timely completion of month-end and year-end closings in line with IR and donor requirements.
Provide quality assurance on operational reports, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
Support in preparing fund utilization and expenditure reports for management review.
5. Capacity Building & Transition Support
Provide hands-on coaching and technical guidance to finance assistants and officers.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new finance team members.
Facilitate smooth handover of financial duties and knowledge transfer to permanent staff.
Work collaboratively with program, procurement, and HR teams to strengthen coordination and efficiency.
The Senior Finance Officer (Operations) –will lead and oversee all operational finance functions within IR Syria. The role ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of financial transactions, cash management, and fund transfers, maintaining operational continuity during the transition period. This position plays a key role in safeguarding financial integrity, mentoring junior finance staff, and supporting the stabilization and restructuring of the finance department.
Scope of the Role
Reporting to the Finance Coordinator and working closely with the Head of Office and Country Finance Team, the Senior Finance Officer (Operations) will manage daily financial operations, provide quality control over all payments and accounting records, and ensure strong compliance with Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) financial policies, donor regulations, and internal controls.
The post holder will also support recruitment, onboarding, and capacity building for new finance staff during the transition.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Operations Oversight
Supervise and ensure accurate and timely processing of all financial transactions for projects and office operations.
Review, approve, and post all vouchers and journals in Microsoft Dynamics AX, ensuring proper coding and authorization.
Maintain compliance with IRW policies, internal controls, and donor requirements.
Verify payment documentation received from programs, logistics, and procurement before posting.
Ensure that currency exchange, cash management, and fund transfers are properly recorded and reconciled.
2. Cash Management & Fund Transfers
Oversee preparation of monthly cash forecasts and ensure adequate liquidity for operational needs.
Review and approve the Fund Transfer Requests (FTRs) and ensure timely movement of funds to run the operations.
Monitor cashbook reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and monthly closing processes.
Lead periodic cash counts and ensure secure cash handling practices.
3. Staff Payroll & Advances
Supervise the preparation and processing of staff payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
Oversee management of staff advances, project floats, and supplier deposits, ensuring proper recovery and documentation.
4. Compliance, Audit & Reporting Support
Support the audit section preparing the needed financial documentation for the internal and external auditors, and make sure the reconciliations, and supporting schedules maintained on a timely basis.
Ensure timely completion of month-end and year-end closings in line with IR and donor requirements.
Provide quality assurance on operational reports, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
Support in preparing fund utilization and expenditure reports for management review.
5. Capacity Building & Transition Support
Provide hands-on coaching and technical guidance to finance assistants and officers.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new finance team members.
Facilitate smooth handover of financial duties and knowledge transfer to permanent staff.
Work collaboratively with program, procurement, and HR teams to strengthen coordination and efficiency.
Qualifications
Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial management, including at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role within NGOs or humanitarian organizations.
Strong understanding of operational finance, internal controls, and donor compliance.
Proficient in Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Excel.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Experience with INGO finance systems and donor audits (e.g., UN, EU, SIDA, GAC).
Desirable:
Dear experience in operation, reporting and budgeting is a strong asset.
Knowledge of the Syrian financial and NGO regulatory environment.
Familiarity with project cycle management and financial monitoring.
Personal Attributes
Proactive, detail-oriented, and thorough in reviewing financial records.
Strong ethical standards with a high level of integrity, reliability, and commitment to compliance and IR values.
Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
Excellent time management and ability to handle multiple priorities effectively.
Collaborative team player with a supportive and inclusive leadership approach.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal, mentoring, and team-building skills.
Calm, solution-focused, and adaptable under pressure.
Culturally aware, respectful, and sensitive to diverse environments.
Committed to Islamic Relief Worldwide’s mission, vision, and values.
Able to work both independently and collaboratively across departments.
VII. Protection and Safeguarding Awareness
Awareness of child protection principles and safeguarding of vulnerable populations.
Knowledge of institutional safeguarding frameworks and policies, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Participation in protection-related trainings and familiarity with reporting mechanisms for misconduct or violations.
Essential:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial management, including at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role within NGOs or humanitarian organizations.
Strong understanding of operational finance, internal controls, and donor compliance.
Proficient in Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Excel.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Experience with INGO finance systems and donor audits (e.g., UN, EU, SIDA, GAC).
Desirable:
Dear experience in operation, reporting and budgeting is a strong asset.
Knowledge of the Syrian financial and NGO regulatory environment.
Familiarity with project cycle management and financial monitoring.
Personal Attributes
Proactive, detail-oriented, and thorough in reviewing financial records.
Strong ethical standards with a high level of integrity, reliability, and commitment to compliance and IR values.
Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
Excellent time management and ability to handle multiple priorities effectively.
Collaborative team player with a supportive and inclusive leadership approach.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal, mentoring, and team-building skills.
Calm, solution-focused, and adaptable under pressure.
Culturally aware, respectful, and sensitive to diverse environments.
Committed to Islamic Relief Worldwide’s mission, vision, and values.
Able to work both independently and collaboratively across departments.
VII. Protection and Safeguarding Awareness
Awareness of child protection principles and safeguarding of vulnerable populations.
Knowledge of institutional safeguarding frameworks and policies, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Participation in protection-related trainings and familiarity with reporting mechanisms for misconduct or violations.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis due to the urgency of this hire. We therefore encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as the position may be filled prior to the official closing date of the advertisement.
Salary and Benefits
As per Salary Scale
About us
Islamic Relief Worldwide is registered, voluntary and nonprofit relief organization.
As an independent humanitarian and development organization, Islamic Relief has been serving humanity since 1984. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty.
Inspired by our Islamic faith, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
As an independent humanitarian and development organization, Islamic Relief has been serving humanity since 1984. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty.
Inspired by our Islamic faith, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Oct 27, 2025
Expiry Date
Nov 26, 2025
CV Language
English