Finance Assistant

Location: Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa
Reports to: Finance Manager
Contract duration: 9 months contract (with possibility of extension, funds permitting)

Organisational Context
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international
non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of
refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has
a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the
support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. JRS service is human and spiritual,
working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced
people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.
The main services provided are in the field of education, emergency assistance, psychosocial support
and livelihood activities. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS
projects.
Operational Context/Role
This role is essential in supporting the smooth and efficient running of our financial operations,
ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately processed and documented in compliance with
organizational policies and donor regulations. The finance assistant will bring a meticulous eye for
detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Key Responsibilities
• Ensuring that all requisitions include complete source documents and are authorized by
relevant parties prior to payment processing.
• Processing of payments for suppliers and beneficiaries in compliance with donor and internal
policies.
• Handling online purchases for general office supplies, ensuring procurement procedures are
followed.
• Accurately capture and process financial transactions in the system on a timely basis
• Establishing and maintaining a sequential, organized filing system for financial records.
• Managing petty cash systems for both Johannesburg and Pretoria offices, conducting weekly
reconciliations for review.
• Assisting in preparing monthly Bank Reconciliations.
• Capturing approved annual country office global budgets and updating quarterly forecasts to
reflect projected expenditures by project based on donor funding.
• Assisting in putting together costs for proposed budgets for new funding applications.
• Capturing newly approved grants in the system linking them with the global budget forecast.
• Assisting in maintaining the Fixed Asset Register, collaborating with the Procurement and
Logistics Officer to ensure insurance policies are current as assets are purchased or disposed
of.
• Ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all assets in line with organizational policies
• Providing support during internal and external audits by preparing and submitting required
documentation.
• Adhering to and implement JRS Finance Policies, processes, and internal controls, identifying
financial and administrative risks and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Assisting with any other general administrative tasks as required to ensure smooth running of
the departmental operations.
• Any other duties assigned by the Finance Manager.
Placement Location:
The place of work will be:
• In the Pretoria and Johannesburg offices of JRS
Qualifications and Experience
• Diploma/Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.
• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience, ideally within the non-profit sector.
• Knowledge of donor grants and the Non-Profit sector is highly desirable.
• Innovative thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to
deal with ambiguity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with internal and
external customers.
• Demonstrated successful ability to prioritize and multi-task various and conflicting
responsibilities.
• Deadline driven.
• Sound knowledge of financial accounting policies and procedures.
• Proficient in Navision or other ERP
• Proficient in all MS packages- Excel Advanced, PowerPoint and Word.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to pay attention to details.
• High attention to detail and adherence to ethical standards in finance.
• Valid driver’s license and flexibility to travel as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in the field in a cross – cultural environment with multinational staff
and clients
• Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team
• Flexibility, capacity to multi-task and/or effectively prioritize and to work under pressure
• Managing in a changing and pressured environment
Languages
• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English; ability to communicate in French and Swahili is
advantageous
Core values
• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS.
• Very good pastoral sense combined with ability to listen and excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel to regional and country offices, when appropriate.
• Compassion for vulnerable people including refugees and displaced people, a motivation to
serve, and (desirable) experience of working in the context of forced migration.
• A capacity to adapt to basic living and working conditions particularly to operate in a
suboptimal working environment, in the designated area
• Demonstrable experience of, and capacity for, working collaboratively as part of a team and
putting into practice team building skills.
• Flexibility in work hours as needed.