Finance Officer - Strengthening the Capacity of CSOs Project

Experience Needed :   A minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting or financial management

Education Level:         Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Contract LENGTH :      3 years 

Location :                  Cairo - Maadi 

About Life Makers Foundation

Life Makers Foundation (LMF) is an Egyptian youth-led, voluntary, and non-governmental umbrella organization. It was established in 2011 to foster youth engagement in addressing emerging challenges at the local and global levels. Since its establishment, LMF has worked closely with community-based organizations to build youth capacities and support their efforts to develop their societies and respond to humanitarian needs and disasters. LMF operates in 24 governorates through a nonformal network of partner youth-led organizations and registered offices across Egypt, with a broad portfolio of projects and local initiatives in the sectors of Health, Education, Livelihoods, Humanitarian Assistance, Environment, and Youth Participation.

LMF adopts the core principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence in its operations to ensure the provision of assistance with no discrimination towards differences in ethnicity, religion, race, or any other consideration. LMF provides development and humanitarian interventions for the most vulnerable while preserving their dignity and ensuring their participation.

Life Makers is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-religious, non-political, and non-partisan movement that was launched in 2003 to mobilize the best of the human spirit to alleviate human suffering and protect human life and human rights.

About the Project 

This project aims to strengthen the role of local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Beni Suef, Fayoum, Luxor, Aswan, Sohag, Qena, and North and South Sinai, enabling them to engage in sustainable development actively. The project provides sub-grants and tailored capacity-building support to at least 30 local CSOs. Through training, coaching, and institutional development, CSOs will be empowered to improve their services and community impact. The project also promotes structured coordination between CSOs and local authorities. Key thematic areas include economic empowerment, civic participation, women and youth empowerment, inclusion of persons with disabilities, digitalization, and sustainable development.

Job Purpose  

The Finance Officer will manage the project's financial operations and ensure proper stewardship of funds in accordance with EU donor regulations. This role involves maintaining accurate accounting records, overseeing budget execution (including the sub-grants disbursed to partner CSOs), and preparing financial reports for the project. The Project Accountant works closely with the Project Manager and other team members to provide guidance on economic matters and ensure all expenditures are eligible, necessary, and well-documented.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain the project’s financial management system. This includes setting up budget-tracking tools for all cost categories (staff, sub-grants, activities, and operational costs), recording transactions promptly, and maintaining an auditable trail of all financial documents.
• Handle day-to-day accounting tasks for the project in line with organizational policies and EU rules. Prepare and process payment vouchers, expense reimbursements, and invoices. Ensure that all expenditures are eligible and comply with the project’s financial guidelines (e.g., appropriate authorizations, supporting documentation, procurement standards).
• Oversee the financial aspects of the sub-granting program. Work with program staff to prepare sub-grant agreements and detailed budgets for each sub-grantee CSO. Disburse funds to sub-grantees in accordance with agreed schedules and conditions.
• Provide training or orientation to sub-grantees on financial reporting requirements and EU compliance. Clearly explain what constitutes eligible costs, the required supporting documents, and basic procurement rules for use of grant funds. Be a point of contact for sub-grantees’ financial questions throughout the project.
• Monitor sub-grantees’ financial reports and conduct periodic reviews or audits of their financial records. Verify that sub-grantees are keeping proper records (receipts, invoices, time sheets) and spending funds according to their approved budget and EU guidelines. Flag any irregularities or deviations and assist sub-grantees in correcting them.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for the project, including monthly budget versus actual reports for internal management and official reports required by the donor. Ensure that financial reports for Financial Support to Third Parties (sub-grants) are compiled as needed, and that the project’s overall financial report meets the EU’s reporting standards and formats.
• Liaise with the Project Manager to inform program decisions with financial data. Provide projections of expenditure, advise on budget adjustments if specific lines are under- or overspent, and ensure the project maximizes the use of its budget in line with objectives.
• Coordinate with the Procurement Officer to ensure all purchases and service contracts are within the approved budget and comply with financial and procurement rules. Before payments are made, check that procurements have followed the correct process and that deliverables have been received.
• Ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements in coordination with LMF’s headquarters finance department. This includes handling any required tax-exemption paperwork for purchases (if applicable) or ensuring that staff and consultants’ payments have appropriate withholding, in accordance with Egyptian law.
• Support any financial audits or monitoring visits by the EU or external auditors. Prepare required documentation, respond to auditor inquiries, and implement any recommendations or corrective actions related to financial management.
• Uphold high standards of financial integrity and transparency. Protect sensitive financial information, prevent unauthorized use of project funds, and report any suspected fraud or misuse immediately in line with LMF policies.

Core Competencies and Skills

Achievement focused:

• Follow Results-based management (RBM) in achieving planned goals and objectives.

Working Smart:

• Achieve more in less time.
• Balances between work life and personal life to ensure the sustainability of high-quality performance.
• Able to contribute and create a participatory, enjoyable, fulfilling, and rewarding work environment.

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable to making decisions and managing resources efficiently.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for himself/herself (and the team), takes responsibility for self-development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their vision, engages, and motivates others to contribute to the bigger vision of LMF.
• Future orientated and thinks strategically.
• Thinks globally and acts locally.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with project team, colleagues and external partners.
• Values diversity as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener and easy to communicate with.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest and encourages openness and transparency

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field. Professional accounting certification (CPA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent) is an advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting or financial management, with at least 2 years focused on managing finances for donor-funded projects. Experience with EU-funded projects and familiarity with EU financial reporting and audit requirements is highly desirable.
• Solid knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, and financial reporting. Ability to develop and manage project budgets, track expenditures, and forecast financial needs.
• Familiarity with EU financial compliance rules, including eligible costs, procurement standards, and record-keeping requirements for project expenditures. Experience overseeing financial support to third parties (sub-grants) is a strong plus.
• High proficiency in MS Excel and experience with accounting software. Ability to analyze financial data and generate clear, concise reports for decision-makers.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in working with numbers and financial records. A track record of maintaining error-free ledgers and documentation.
• Good communication skills in English, especially for preparing donor reports and explaining financial information. Fluency in Arabic is required for working with local partners and reviewing documents such as receipts and invoices.
• Strong integrity and ethical standards, with an ability to handle sensitive financial information confidentially. Familiarity with anti-fraud measures and dedication to transparency in financial operations.
• Effective time management and organizational skills. Able to prioritize tasks, handle multiple deadlines (e.g. monthly closing, quarterly reports), and work under pressure when needed.
• Team-oriented attitude, with the ability to collaborate with program staff and support their understanding of financial procedures. Experience providing training or guidance on financial management to non-financial colleagues or partners is an asset.