Finance Officer

Job Description

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INTERNAL & EXTERNAL 

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone  

GOAL has been operating in Sierra Leone since the late 1980s, initially in emergency response, with a permanent  presence since 1999 response, with a permanent presence in country since 1999. GOAL operates from its main  office based in Freetown, with other sub operational offices in Kenema, Kambia, Bombali, and Moyamba Districts.  GOAL implements programmes in 8 of Sierra Leones 16 districts: Western Area Urban, Kambia, Kenema, Bombali,  Port Loko, Koinadugu, Karene, Moyamba, and hires over 165 staff across the country. Our programmes focus  on the WASH and Health sectors including urban and rural WASH programmes, health system strengthening,  social and behaviour change; Blue Economy and FSL; and emergency response programming. 

On this note, GOAL Sierra Leone would like to invite well experienced and professional applicants for the  replacement role: 

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone 

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian and development agency, committed to working  with communities to achieve sustainable and innovative early response in crises, and lasting solutions to poverty  and vulnerability. GOAL has worked in over 60 countries and has responded to almost every major humanitarian  disaster. We are currently operational in 14 countries globally. GOAL has been operating in Sierra Leone since  the late 1980s, initially in emergency response, with a permanent presence since 1999. GOAL operates from its  main office based in Freetown, with other sub operational offices in Kenema, Kambia, Bombali, and Moyamba.  GOAL implements programmes in 7 of Sierra Leone’s 16 districts: Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural,  Kambia, Kono, Bombali, Moyamba, and Kenema, and hires has over 165 staff across the country. With a multi faceted portfolio, our programmes focus on building resilience via systems strengthening within the WASH,  Health, and Food and Nutrition Security sectors, including urban and rural WASH, health system strengthening,  blue economy, climate change, social and behavioural change, and emergency response programming. 

Overview of the role 

The Finance Officer, based in Freetown, will play a key role in ensuring efficient financial management and  timely support for project grants. This position is responsible for accurate financial reporting and oversight of  programme activities. 

Working closely with the Assistant Financial Controller, the Finance Officer will: 

• Review budgets for completeness and compliance. 
• Coordinate post-award actions and financial assessments. 
• Manage field payments and oversee petty cash operations. 

This role requires strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work  collaboratively to maintain financial integrity across all projects. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Submit all the monthly HQ Float approval by the 24th of each month. All the floats above EUR 1,000 should  have HQ (Dublin) approval attached onto them.

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• Ensure timely processing of all the field funds requests and follow up on the monthly field cash processing  requests to ensure these are processed by WD5. 
• Ensure Support in all donor audits (Provide documents for audits, liaise with auditors, filing of all reports  (Soft & Hard Copies) relating to the audit. 
• On a monthly basis, ensure that the audit control files are updated as the control file checklist. • Ensure all Field payments with support and collaboration of the finance assistant are made in collaboration  with Programme coordinators. 
• Ensure floats are well coordinated with field offices and timely payments are made. • Support Cash management to ensure no cash flow problem including processing of all online transactions. • Ensure that all bank correspondences and transfers are properly filed. 
• Cash management, and monthly reconciliation of SLE and USD cash and bank books. • Track and monitor all HO floats issued to staff to ensure no float is more than a month old and no staff holds  more than one float at any given time unless those with exceptional approvals from the CD. • Work closely with the auditors in ensuring all the required supporting documentation is availed during  statutory and internal audits. 
• Support in the preparation of all active grants BMT/Budget Monitoring Tools/ and disseminate to the  responsible budget owner/holders, area coordinators and follow up their forecast. Also prepare journals for  review 
• Keeps accurate and complete financial records for each program. 
• Support the unit to provide training and support to partners in the implementation of GOAL standard financial  reporting under the guidance of Senior Finance Manager or the Assistant Financial Controller  • Any other task assigned by the Line Manager 

SAFEGUARDING  

➢ Maintain safe working environment for all staff/beneficiaries. 

➢ Ensure risk mitigation measures are in place and adhered to. 

➢ Ensure staff/beneficiaries fully understand Safeguarding reporting procedures. 

➢ Ensure Safeguarding measures are implemented within areas of responsibilities. 

➢ Ensure do-no-harm to children and vulnerable adults we meet. 

➢ Follow-up, and address, Safeguarding issues appropriately. 

REQUIREMENTS  

➢ Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, SAGE, and BMT systems; strong command of standard  office software packages; excellent verbal and written English communication skills.  

➢ Core Competencies: Strong belief in teamwork; demonstrated technical ability and sound judgment;  ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels; excellent communication, facilitation, and  training skills.  

➢ Personal Attributes: Flexible and adaptable to working within an international team; high attention to  detail; ability to meet deadlines under pressure.  

➢ Values & Behaviors: Commitment to confidentiality, accountability, and excellence; adaptability and  innovation; strong planning and organizational skills; ability to coach, facilitate change, and lead by  example. 

ESSENTIAL 

➢ Degree in Accounting or related field with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience of which at  least 3 years with an INGO  

➢ Qualified accountant. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent. 

➢ At least one year’s team management experience 

➢ Willingness and ability to work in a pressurized environment, producing work of high quality to strict  deadlines.  

➢ Experience in dealing with institutional donors such as FCDO, USAID, EC, UN, private foundations.  Familiarity with donor rules and regulations (Particularly EU, Irish Aid, USAID). 

➢ Flexible and reliable, with excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills. ➢ Excellent analytical and writing skills (English) 

➢ Strong IT skills and systems experience – Advanced Excel experience and SAGE experience is highly  desirable.

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DESIRABLE 

➢ Advanced degree in accounting and experience in grant management with INGOs 

➢ Resilience maintains focus and intensity and remains optimistic, persistent and professional even under  adverse, stressful or difficult situations. 

➢ Continually looks to improve personal skills, knowledge and work and hence contributes to capacity  building within the team and organization 

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the  maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality  policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL,  acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal  execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job  offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer. 

SAFEGUARDING 

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded  to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of  abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment  to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.  

ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies.  Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and  safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols. 
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area. 
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic Finance Team, please send your  cover letter and up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie on or before 5:30 pm 9th December, 2025 , please note  that a copy of the application letter must be sent to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour, New England or  emailed to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of  race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.