Senior Finance Officer

Slum Dwellers International (SDI), the leading international network representing the needs, interests, and voice of the world’s urban poor, wishes to recruit a Senior Finance Officer based in Cape Town. Two decades of savings-driven and women-led organisations have placed SDI in a unique position to ensure that organisations representing the urban poor are recognized as a significant resource to confront global challenges such as climate change, inequality and the absence of social justice. These global challenges will not be solved without the active involvement of all citizens, especially slum dwellers.

This position is located in the Secretariat of SDI which is housed in a heritage building in Woodstock. The Secretariat Team is known for the support offered to employees and mirrors the values of the SDI Network of equality, competence, tolerance and kindness. The Secretariat has a strong mentorship ethos and provides opportunities for personal and professional development for those who wish to take responsibility for the value they add to the organization, and for those who are invested in their own knowledge and skills development. It is regarded as a privilege to work with the SDI Secretariat in this fast moving and challenging space of the urban poor. This is not ‘just a job’ but rather an opportunity to make a contribution to wider society.

Purpose of Position

To support the Finance Manager and work closely with the Finance Administrator, other members of SDI Secretariat Team and the Finance Teams of the Affiliates. The role entails performing day to day financial accounting tasks, financial reporting, management of the payroll, audit preparation and support. This is a key role in the Finance Team of the Secretariat and is expected to offer significant financial and team support to the SDI Secretariat Staff and Affiliates.

Reporting Structure
The Senior Finance Officer reports to the Finance Manager with close working relationship with Programme Staff and Finance Administrator in providing financial services and support.
Ideal Qualifications and Experience
This position requires a minimum of a National diploma or Bachelors’ degree in Accounting or Finance. Experience of five years in a similar position is required. Expertise in the financial management of donor grants is required. Expert working knowledge and skills of MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Xero system accounting package is essential.

Key Performance Areas of the Finance Officer

**1. Day to day accounting functions which include**:
a. Preparation of monthly income and expense reports
b. Preparation of payments
c. Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual cashflow projections to monitor expenditure
d. Review petty cash
2. Financial Reporting
3. Management of the Payroll
4. Preparation and support of audits. As an NPO, SDI is required to undertake many audits per year.
5. Other financial duties required from time-to-time by the SDI Director and Finance Manager.

Skills and Qualities
- Strong attention to compliance to standard operating procedures and governance protocols
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Firm, stress tolerant, attention to detail, and able to work with limited supervision
- Proactive and reliable team player
- Able to work in a multi-cultural set-up
- Mature emotional intelligence in the workplace
- Self-starter and self-managing
- Discipline in time-keeping and meeting deadlines
- Committed to finishing the tasks required

Applicants should be in a possession of a clear credit and criminal record. If you have applied previously, please do not reapply.