Financial management advisor for SCNL

Could you help assist SCNL's finance team to be more proficient and effective at managing the organisation's finances? We are looking for someone for a 2-3 month project based in Liberia to provide on-the-job training to SCNL's finance team as they transition to more complex finance systems using Quickbooks software. The Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL) is Liberia's leading conservation organisation and the BirdLife partner in Liberia. With increasing interest in and support for the conservation of Liberia's amazing natural resources, SCNL is growing quickly. It is moving from an organisation whose finances could be managed on a spreadsheet to one that needs specialised accounting software in order to effectively manage the growing number of grants. The work will be varied across all financial areas, including advice in budget preparation, recording financial transactions in QuickBooks, developing robust financial management systems, and preparing donor reports.

- Patience, understanding and cross-cultural communication skills will be important qualities. - Familiarity with QuickBooks or similar accounting software. - Enjoyment of and skills in teaching others. - Familiarity with the needs of a small not-for-profit whose revenue comes mostly from grants and expenses are mostly in cash. - Ability to work comfortably and respectfully in another culture. - Adaptability to the challenges of living in a West African city.

Minimum:

2 to 3 months

Duration:

Ongoing

Period:

Any time during 2017

This could be an ideal opportunity for someone with significant finance experience who is looking for a practical experience, particularly in a West African capital city, and who is motivated to pass on their skills and knowledge to a growing conservation organisation. It could also be ideal for a skilled recent finance graduate with some experience in instilling best practices, who is seeking international work experience. You will have the opportunity to live and work in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, home to the largest remaining remnant of Upper Guinea Rainforest in Africa. You will have the opportunity to be part of efforts to conserve this globally important hotspot. There will be an opportunity to visit the Gola Forest where SCNL is most involved as well as other parts of the country. For birders, there should be an opportunity to see the Gola malimbe. The capital Monrovia is situated on the coast with an international airport.

Contact

Heather Mitchell, UKHQ RSPB Headquarters
Tel: 01767 680551
Email: heather.mitchell@rspb.org.uk

Notes

You will volunteer alongside the finance staff of SCNL, mirroring their working pattern which is a 5-day working week, Travel costs including visa, international flights, travel and medevac insurance, health & safety including prevention costs (pre-assignment health check and vaccines/anti-malarials) will all be covered by the RSPB. Accommodation in Monrovia will be provided. The volunteer will be responsible for food and other personal expenses. Own access to a personal laptop is recommended. Local travel should not be required but the volunteer will be able to join project vehicles traveling to the Gola Forest. SCNL has an office in Monrovia and the volunteer will share an office room there with SCNL colleagues. The financial accounts are managed on several computers and the volunteer will access these for training and financial management purposes. It is possible that some evening or weekend work could be necessary however weekends are normally free time. Appropriate training will be provided and expenses will be reimbursed where necessary. The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. By volunteering your time and skills, you could make a real difference to the work of the RSPB. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.