The Felm Center Finance Assistant will play an active role in performing the regular accounting and bookkeeping tasks at the Center, preparing financial reports, processing payments, and assisting in development of new policies and practices in financial management and internal controls, according to the best practices and guidelines from the Israeli authorities and the Felm Headquarters in Finland.

 Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To assist the Management in maintaining the financial and accounting operations of the Center;
• To assist in developing policies for accounting and internal control of the Center’s finances in close cooperation with the Line Manager;
• To act as the focal point in the establishment of the financial standard operating procedures (SoPs) for Felm Center according to Felm rules and regulations;
• To perform the required accounting and bookkeeping tasks in the Center;
• To manage the accounts, payments, treasury, financial system, claims and other financial functions;
• To prepare the payments for the contractors, suppliers and vendors on time according to Felm rules and regulations;
• To prepare the billing statements for the Center;
• To ensure that recurrent payments are made on time and are accurately recorded;
• To prepare the installments for the Felm partners and beneficiaries; when needed;
• To follow up on the reconciliation of bank statements with payroll and accounts;
• To verify the legality and regularity of transactions prior to authorising financial transactions;
• To assist in the reporting, verifying the integrity of accounts, their accuracy and their on-time delivery;
• To implement audit recommendations and ensure the effectiveness of internal control;
• To assist the Management in drafting the Center’s budget and to act as the focal point for the budget modifications;
• To liaise and coordinate on financial issues with authorities and all other relevant actors (banks etc.) under the supervision of the Line Manager;
• To be responsible for the filing and the archiving of the documents as per Felm rules and regulations;
• To prepare financial reports and assist in the presentation of reports to managers and executives;
• To assist in maintaining efficient and effective methods for tracking financial data;
• To create organised records and files to assist in preparation of tax reports in Israel;
• To be responsible for the preparation of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for relevant financial projects such as the annual external financial audit and for the payroll preparations services and act as the project manager of the procedures during its implementation;
• To administer insurance portfolio for local staff;
• To initiate, maintain and update staff members’ files with all relevant documents;
• To administer the monthly payrolls systems and other relevant entitlements in collaboration with external payroll expert;
• Follow-up with the Pension Agent for preparing end of service and monthly matters;
• To prepare the minutes of the meetings when needed;
• To assist the Line Manager with other administrative tasks.

General Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To identify and report on lessons learned and best practices within the respective area of responsibility;
• To contribute and ensure timely reporting on activities within the respective area of responsibility;
• To take account of gender equality and human rights aspects in the execution of tasks;
• To undertake any other related tasks as requested by the Line Manager(s).

What is Felm Center?

The Felm Center - located on Shivtei Israel street in central Jerusalem - is the country office of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) in Israel and Palestine. The Center also provides conferencing and accommodation services to local and international visitors, communities and religious organizations. The Center hosts conferences up to 80 persons and provides lodging for up to 20 persons. Felm grounds its work on Christian values and has long traditions of serving the communities in the Holy Land and in the region. The Center hosts events which promote dialogue and co-operation between people from different communities and backgrounds, and thrive to work together for realization of human rights and justice for all. The Center itself represents architecture that has a high cultural value. A team of six staff members supported by external service providers and partners are ensuring the full operation of the Center.

More information on Felm and our work can be found at our website: Felm-center / Felm-keskus - Felm

Qualifications and Experience: Essential: Successful completion of university studies attested by a Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent in Business Administration/Finance/Banking/Accounting or Economics or other related field;  AND A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience after having fulfilled the education requirements. Desirable: Knowledge of current technologies used for Finance/Accounting like an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System; Holder of a valid Israeli driving license with category B as a minimum; International experience, particularly with multinational and international organisations; Training and experience in MS Excel. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Essential: Knowledge of accounting and general financial principles; Proficiency in Arabic and Hebrew, good working knowledge in English; Proficiency in at least one accounting software (preferably Bisan) and MS software, especially Excel; Ability to work in a multicultural environment with colleagues and guests with various national, ethnic, religious and social backgrounds and identities; Commitment to Center’s work, its values, principles and guidelines promoting peace & dialogue, well-being of all people and religious tolerance; To be able to work in the evenings as per the operational needs of the Center (minimum one day per week for the evening shift); To be able to work independently as well as within a team. Desirable: Problem solving skills; Organisational skills and capacity to develop plans, policies and forecasts.