Near East Foundation

Job Title: Finance and Procurement Officer
Reports to: Program and Operations Director
Location: Baghdad or Mosul, Iraq (with frequent travel to NEF operation areas including Mosul and Erbil)

Travel: Yes, 75% of time

Project Duration: July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Project Title: Innovate Mosul: Strengthening the Green and Digital SME Ecosystem

Organizational Background

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is an international non-profit organization that has worked for over 100 years to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa. NEF operates through country offices and local partners across ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, and Sudan. NEF’s programs focus on Inclusive Economic Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, and Peacebuilding.

As part of its Iraq portfolio, NEF is implementing the UNDP-funded Innovate Mosul project, which aims to strengthen the green and digital SME ecosystem in Mosul, enabling small and medium enterprises to expand, create jobs, and access new markets.

Position Overview

The Finance & Procurement Officerwill support in managing the day-to-day financial and procurement operations of the Innovate Mosul project. The Finance & Procurement Officerwill provide core role and oversight on all finance and procurement matters at the project level, ensuring sound financial management, compliance with NEF policies, donor requirements, and Iraqi regulations. The role requires frequent travel to NEF operation areas to support field activities and ensure proper financial documentation at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

      1. Financial Management and Compliance

• Provide core role and oversight on all financial and procurement matters related to the project, ensuring sound financial management, accountability, and compliance with NEF and donor regulations.
• Process and record daily financial transactions in compliance with NEF’s accounting policies and donor regulations.
• Maintain accurate and organized financial records including invoices, receipts, vouchers, bank statements, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and verify payment requests for vendors, suppliers, consultants, and service providers, ensuring completeness of supporting documentation and appropriate approvals.
• Assist in payroll preparation and processing for NEF Iraq staff, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, tax regulations, and Iraqi labor laws.
• Monitor project expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets and financial controls.
• Support budget monitoring, forecast updates, and financial reporting to NEF management and donors as needed.
• Ensure full compliance with NEF internal controls, procurement policies, and UNDP financial requirements.

      2. Procurement and Administrative Support

• Ensure that procurement activities follow NEF and donor procurement procedures, including preparation of purchase requests, vendor selection, quotations, and purchase orders.
• Verify supporting documents for all procurement transactions prior to payment processing.
• Ensure proper filing, archiving, and management of financial and procurement documentation.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Finance Department, including scanning, documentation, and maintenance of records.

      3. Audit Support and Reporting

• Prepare documentation for internal and external audits and facilitate audit processes as required.
• Assist in preparing financial data for new project proposals, budget revisions, and ad hoc donor requests.
• Support monthly cash reconciliations, financial reporting, and month-end closing procedures.

      4. Coordination and Other Duties

• Coordinate closely with program, operations, and finance teams to ensure efficient financial and administrative processes.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Finance Team or Project Manager.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in finance, accounting, or financial administration within NGOs, international organizations, or donor-funded projects.
• Experience in managing financial and procurement processes in compliance with donor rules and organizational policies.
• Familiarity with donor financial compliance (experience with UNDP-funded projects is a strong asset).
• Strong knowledge of financial systems, bookkeeping, and accounting procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• High level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to NEF operational areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic. English and Kurdish are plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with international NGOs or UN agencies.
• Knowledge of Iraqi tax, labor, and financial regulations.
• Experience with financial software systems.

NEF will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline will be on June 14, 2025.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents on the Near East Foundation's career page at: 

https://neareast.bamboohr.com/careers/458?source=aWQ9MTY%3D 

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and skills based on the requirements outlined above;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer).

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

 Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening;
• Receipt of satisfactory references;
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.

NEF's strength is its people. Our team is our fuel to achieving the innovation, quality programming, community focus, mutual trust, sustainability, and learning needed to realize our mission. To help our team thrive, we support a working structure that prioritizes flexibility, personal commitments, and staff well-being while promoting a work culture of teamwork, collaboration, respect, integrity, and excellence.

As an international organization, we value a truly diverse workforce and prioritize a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We strive to create a high-achieving work environment informed by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in all we do, our aim is to ensure that people feel heard, protected, and empowered to contribute to NEF's mission from day one.