Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist

MSF Ubuntu is looking for an Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF Ubuntu, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognising the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.

Firmly committed to safeguarding patients, community members, staff, and all those in contact with the organisation from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.

For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as Low risk and will be monitored with this in regard .

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Ubuntu

MSF Ubuntu is the newest Operational Directorate of Médecins Sans Frontières, grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”. With a strong emphasis on interdependence, interoperability, and locally grounded action, MSF Ubuntu aims to strengthen medical humanitarian response by placing communities at the centre of decision-making.

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist is responsible for strengthening the quality, consistency and compliance of operational accounting, financial administration and end-of-period processes across MSF Ubuntu HQ and Country Programs. The role serves as the senior functional technical reference for operational accounting processes in Dynamics Business Central and their interfaces with UniField. The position monitors accounting quality, analyses and resolves complex accounting and system-related exceptions, coordinates operational closing requirements, and supports the consistent application of MSF accounting standards, procedures and internal controls.

The position provides specialist advice, functional guidance and capacity building to Country Program finance teams; coordinates selected inter-entity accounting, rebilling and treasury-administration processes; and leads the development of accounting tools, SOPs and process improvements for approval by the Head of Operational Finance. Working across HQ, Country Programs and relevant MSF entities, the role identifies systemic accounting and control weaknesses, recommends corrective actions and supports management with reliable accounting information, risk analysis and implementation follow-up.

This position will be hierarchically accountable to the Head of Operational Finance and will serve as the functional line manager for the Finance/HR Managers, Accounting Managers – Country Programs .

Tasks & Responsibilities

Accounting Policy and Procedures Development

Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of MSF Ubuntu accounting policies, procedures, guidelines and internal control frameworks in close collaboration with MSF EA Finance team and MSF Ubuntu Operational Finance Advisor.

Interpret accounting requirements and translate them into practical procedures and guidance for HQ and Country Programs, and contribute to the new development of finance systems and tools.

Act as the technical reference point for complex accounting treatments, financial administration and compliance matters.

Assess accounting risks and recommend mitigation measures to Country Program teams and management.

Accountable for monitoring and strengthening the quality, completeness and consistency of accounting records and end-of-period processes across MSF Ubuntu Country Programs within the assigned scope.

Contribute to intersectional finance and accounting working groups and support the development of harmonized accounting practices across MSF entities.

Dynamics Business Central Financial Administration and Accounting Ownership

Act as the primary accounting focal point for the MSF Ubuntu legal entity within Dynamics Business Central.

Serve as the functional owner and technical reference for MSF Ubuntu operational accounting processes in Dynamics Business Central and their interfaces with UniField.

Define accounting process requirements, coordinate testing of approved system changes, maintain process documentation and monitor the effect of system changes on data quality and internal controls.

Ensure accurate recording and classification of financial transactions.

Ensure consistency of accounting data and financial dimensions between UniField, Dynamics Business Central, WeFin and related reporting records.

Monitor accounting data quality and resolve accounting errors or issues.

Act as first-level support for users on accounting-related MSF Ubuntu Dynamics Business Central matters.

Financial Closing and Accounting Cycle

Coordinate monthly and annual accounting closures in Dynamics Business Central (MSF Ubuntu) and UniField.

Review completeness and accuracy of accounting entries across the systems.

Ensure accruals, provisions and prepayments are correctly recorded and monitored.

Perform balance sheet reviews and reconciliations and follow up on outstanding accounting items.

Support budget monitoring through accurate accounting information and allocations to Budget Lines and Project Codes.

Support preparation of management reports and financial dashboards.

Prepare year-end MSF Ubuntu financial statements and audit schedules, including those in the Country Programs.

Ensure timely submission of MSF Ubuntu finance reporting requirements.

MSF EA and MSF SnA rebilling process

Act as the day-to-day finance liaison between MSF Ubuntu and MSF EA and MSF SnA Finance for all MSF Ubuntu accounting matters.

Monitor payment status and resolve processing issues between three entities.

Coordinate money transfers and other payment requests to the Country Programs and rebilling processes between MSF Ubuntu and MSF EA and MSF SnA.

Support management of intercompany transactions and balances.

Ensure accurate accounting treatment of shared service costs.

Support implementation and monitoring of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with MSF EA and MSF SnA.

Treasury Administration

Monitor money transfer requests for MSF Ubuntu Country Programs.

Prepare liquidity forecasts and request money TRF from MSF EA or MSF SnA to Country Programs.

Support development of treasury monitoring tools and reporting mechanisms.

Ensure proper monitoring and reconciliation of intercompany treasury transactions and balances.

Operational Accounting and Administration Support

Provide technical oversight and quality assurance of accounting administration across Country Programs.

Ensure country program transactions are recorded according to MSF Ubuntu procedures.

Review and validate country program accounting records, bookkeeping practices and financial administration processes.

Maintain accounting procedures, work instructions and finance documentation.

Identify recurring accounting, control and system weaknesses and lead the development of practical process improvements, tools, SOPs and guidance for approval by the Head of Operational Finance.

Support implementation of accounting standards, procedures and financial controls in Country Programs.

Support Country Programs teams during project opening, transitions and closures.

Support emergency intervention fr