Job ID
45140
Job Title
Finance Coordinator - Damascus
To work for
Islamic relief Worldwide - Syria Office
Country
Syria
City
Damascus
Field of Work
Analysis/Statistic - Finances/Accountancy
Job Type
Full time
Military service
Not Specified
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY:
To support the Finance Manager in managing financial operations, donor budgeting and reporting, and audit compliance for IR Syria operations. The Finance Coordinator will help ensure effective control of financial matters, adherence to Islamic Relief financial guidelines, and compliance with donor and national regulations.
This is a local contract role, based in IR Syria Damascus office, designed to provide financial, technical and operational support to the organization.
Key Objectives
To support the Finance Manager in maintaining an efficient, clear, and transparent finance function.
To assist in budgeting, donor financial reporting, and compliance with IR and donor requirements.
To coordinate financial audits (project and statutory) and support the preparation of financial statements and audit files.
Key Roles, Responsibilities & Accountabilities
1. Finance Management & Controls
Support the Finance Manager in maintaining strong financial systems and controls to ensure efficiency, transparency, and compliance with IR guidelines and Syrian regulations.
Supervising and maintaining accurate accounting records and documentation for all financial transactions.
Supervising and maintaining cash flow process, cash forecasts, and reconciliations across country and sub-offices.
Supervising and maintaining, preparing donor financial reports and internal financial summaries as required.
Support in ensuring effective internal financial controls across all offices and projects.
2. Budgeting & Reporting
Support program in budget preparation for project proposals and annual office budgets in coordination with finance and program teams.
Assist in consolidating donor budgets and financial reports, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Maintain and update financial reporting schedules to ensure timely submissions.
Provide technical guidance to staff on budget monitoring and donor reporting.
3. Audit & Compliance
Supervising, maintaining and preparing the audit files, including vouchers, reconciliations, and confirmations from staff and suppliers.
Liaise with external auditors and provide required documentation.
Assist in implementing audit recommendations and strengthening internal controls.
Support compliance with IR financial guidelines, Syrian tax regulations, and donor rules.
4. Capacity Building
Provide on-the-job technical support to finance staff to improve understanding of donor compliance, reporting, and internal controls.
Support training on budget preparation, reporting, and reconciliations.
5. Networking & Representation
Support the Finance Manager in liaising with banks, government departments, and auditors when required.
Represent finance in internal coordination meetings and donor-related financial discussions when delegated.
To support the Finance Manager in managing financial operations, donor budgeting and reporting, and audit compliance for IR Syria operations. The Finance Coordinator will help ensure effective control of financial matters, adherence to Islamic Relief financial guidelines, and compliance with donor and national regulations.
This is a local contract role, based in IR Syria Damascus office, designed to provide financial, technical and operational support to the organization.
Key Objectives
To support the Finance Manager in maintaining an efficient, clear, and transparent finance function.
To assist in budgeting, donor financial reporting, and compliance with IR and donor requirements.
To coordinate financial audits (project and statutory) and support the preparation of financial statements and audit files.
Key Roles, Responsibilities & Accountabilities
1. Finance Management & Controls
Support the Finance Manager in maintaining strong financial systems and controls to ensure efficiency, transparency, and compliance with IR guidelines and Syrian regulations.
Supervising and maintaining accurate accounting records and documentation for all financial transactions.
Supervising and maintaining cash flow process, cash forecasts, and reconciliations across country and sub-offices.
Supervising and maintaining, preparing donor financial reports and internal financial summaries as required.
Support in ensuring effective internal financial controls across all offices and projects.
2. Budgeting & Reporting
Support program in budget preparation for project proposals and annual office budgets in coordination with finance and program teams.
Assist in consolidating donor budgets and financial reports, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Maintain and update financial reporting schedules to ensure timely submissions.
Provide technical guidance to staff on budget monitoring and donor reporting.
3. Audit & Compliance
Supervising, maintaining and preparing the audit files, including vouchers, reconciliations, and confirmations from staff and suppliers.
Liaise with external auditors and provide required documentation.
Assist in implementing audit recommendations and strengthening internal controls.
Support compliance with IR financial guidelines, Syrian tax regulations, and donor rules.
4. Capacity Building
Provide on-the-job technical support to finance staff to improve understanding of donor compliance, reporting, and internal controls.
Support training on budget preparation, reporting, and reconciliations.
5. Networking & Representation
Support the Finance Manager in liaising with banks, government departments, and auditors when required.
Represent finance in internal coordination meetings and donor-related financial discussions when delegated.
Qualifications
Essential:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage.
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial management within international NGOs or large-scale donor-funded projects.
Proven experience in budgeting, donor financial reporting, and compliance monitoring across multiple grants or cost centres.
Demonstrated ability to support external, donor, and statutory audits, including preparation, coordination, and response follow-up.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, lookups) and other Microsoft Office applications.
Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, Unit4, or similar accounting platforms.
Solid experience in data cleansing, reconciliation, and migration during financial system transitions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly to both financial and non-financial staff.
Strong time management and organizational abilities, capable of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
High level of integrity, ethical conduct, accuracy, and attention to detail in financial operations.
Fluent in Arabic and English (spoken and written), with proven coordination and reporting capability.
Desirable:
In-depth knowledge of the Syrian NGO regulatory framework, including donor compliance, labour, and taxation laws.
Familiarity with Project Cycle Management (PCM), results-based budgeting, and financial performance monitoring.
Experience managing multi-donor portfolios, especially institutional donors such as UN agencies, ECHO, GAC, SIDA, and FCDO/DFID.
Demonstrated ability to develop, review, and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
Experience in ICT, ERP system implementation or upgrades, including configuration, testing, and user training.
Proven capacity in audit coordination, including the implementation and monitoring of audit recommendations.
Strong analytical and advisory skills, capable of interpreting complex financial data to support management decisions.
Track record in capacity-building, mentoring, and training of finance and non-finance staff to enhance accountability and compliance.
Excellent stakeholder management and cross-departmental collaboration skills.
Fluency in English and Arabic is essential; additional language skills are an asset.
Personal Attributes:
Demonstrates leadership and coordination skills, promoting teamwork and accountability across departments.
Proactive, analytical, and detail-oriented, maintaining a high standard of accuracy and compliance.
Upholds the highest ethical values, integrity, and transparency in all financial dealings.
Skilled in mentoring and motivating finance teams, fostering professional growth and efficiency.
A strategic thinker able to translate financial data into actionable management insights.
Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, managing competing priorities effectively.
Flexible and resilient under pressure, adapting quickly to operational and donor-driven changes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, promoting collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrates cultural awareness, respect, and diplomacy in diverse working environments.
Fully committed to Islamic Relief Worldwide's mission, vision, and core values of social justice, compassion, and accountability.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage.
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial management within international NGOs or large-scale donor-funded projects.
Proven experience in budgeting, donor financial reporting, and compliance monitoring across multiple grants or cost centres.
Demonstrated ability to support external, donor, and statutory audits, including preparation, coordination, and response follow-up.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, lookups) and other Microsoft Office applications.
Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX, Unit4, or similar accounting platforms.
Solid experience in data cleansing, reconciliation, and migration during financial system transitions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly to both financial and non-financial staff.
Strong time management and organizational abilities, capable of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
High level of integrity, ethical conduct, accuracy, and attention to detail in financial operations.
Fluent in Arabic and English (spoken and written), with proven coordination and reporting capability.
Desirable:
In-depth knowledge of the Syrian NGO regulatory framework, including donor compliance, labour, and taxation laws.
Familiarity with Project Cycle Management (PCM), results-based budgeting, and financial performance monitoring.
Experience managing multi-donor portfolios, especially institutional donors such as UN agencies, ECHO, GAC, SIDA, and FCDO/DFID.
Demonstrated ability to develop, review, and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
Experience in ICT, ERP system implementation or upgrades, including configuration, testing, and user training.
Proven capacity in audit coordination, including the implementation and monitoring of audit recommendations.
Strong analytical and advisory skills, capable of interpreting complex financial data to support management decisions.
Track record in capacity-building, mentoring, and training of finance and non-finance staff to enhance accountability and compliance.
Excellent stakeholder management and cross-departmental collaboration skills.
Fluency in English and Arabic is essential; additional language skills are an asset.
Personal Attributes:
Demonstrates leadership and coordination skills, promoting teamwork and accountability across departments.
Proactive, analytical, and detail-oriented, maintaining a high standard of accuracy and compliance.
Upholds the highest ethical values, integrity, and transparency in all financial dealings.
Skilled in mentoring and motivating finance teams, fostering professional growth and efficiency.
A strategic thinker able to translate financial data into actionable management insights.
Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, managing competing priorities effectively.
Flexible and resilient under pressure, adapting quickly to operational and donor-driven changes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, promoting collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrates cultural awareness, respect, and diplomacy in diverse working environments.
Fully committed to Islamic Relief Worldwide's mission, vision, and core values of social justice, compassion, and accountability.
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
Additional questions for applicants
Q1: How many years of relevant professional experience do you have in this field
Q2: What is your current place of residence
Q3: What is your expected salary
Q2: What is your current place of residence
Q3: What is your expected salary