Financial Officer

Organization:                                                    Union of Stone and Marble Industry - USM

Reports to:                                                         CEO

Work Location:                                                USM Headquarters- Bethlehem, Palestine

Target Start Date:                                             March 2025

Duration :                                                          22 months

Contract Duration :                                         1 year contract with possibility of extension

Application Closing Date:                             February 16, 2025 3:30 pm Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Union of Stone and Marble (USM)

Established in 1996, as an independent nongovernmental and nonprofit organization based on membership.  The Union of Stone and Marble (USM) is a key advocate for Palestine's stone and marble sector, focusing on industry expansion, sustainability, and global competitiveness. With headquarters in Bethlehem and branches across Palestine.

USM's core activities focus on organizing exports, facilitating market access, defending the interests of the stone industry, fostering partnerships and networking, promoting occupational health and safety, promoting green practices and strengthening the Union's internal structure. USM continues to address the promotion of sustainable practices. Looking ahead, USM aims to lead transformative change and create opportunities within the stone and marble industry, ensuring its long-term viability and prosperity within the Palestinian economy. USM decided to lead projects aligned with the Green and Circular Economy (GCE), promoting inclusivity and innovation as one of the top sector priorities.

The Palestinian Stone and Marble Industry Sector is the largest industrial sector as measured by the most important indicators on which any country is based to measure the economic capacity of the industrial sectors.

The sector is trying all the way to contribute to environmental protection efforts. To take advantage of quarry residues “ Waste Scrap stone “ as well as reduce the environmental impact. However, the largest and most environmentally damaging waste is the liquid waste “slurry” generated from stone cutting in factories, as this process represents the primary stage in stone manufacturing, additionally, this process consumes large quantities of water. Many factories use special technology to dry liquid waste” slurry”  as a result of deployment, which significantly reduces the space used to dispose of it and also reduces water consumption by an estimated 40% as a result of water reuse, Finally, this type of waste is an essential material for other industries.

The project aims to drive a sustainable transformation in the Stone and Marble industry. It is implemented by the Union of Stone and Marble Industries in Palestine (USM) in cooperation with the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) and is funded by the government of Belgium as part of the Green West Bank intervention. The project aligns with Enabel’s strategic focus on promoting a green and circular economy while enforcing the region’s ecological and social resilience.

Through this collaboration, the following objectives will be pursued:

General Objective:

To contribute to support the Green and circular economy and entrepreneurship in the Stone and

Marble value chain based on a market system approach.

Specific objective:

To support the utilization of Green Circular Economy practices within the Stone and Marble value chain, focusing on the sectors of waste management practices, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency practices and lobbying and enforcement of related regulatory frameworks.

Scope of work

Under the supervision of USM's CEO, the Financial Officer will be responsible for managing the financial aspects of the project. This includes monitoring and documenting expenses, conducting financial analyses as needed, preparing regular financial reports, and ensuring that all activities and procurements are in line with the available budget. Additionally, the Financial Officer will manage the finances of the Union.

The key responsibilities for this position will be as follows:

• Prepare, monitor, and track the project’s annual budget and ensure expenditures are aligned with approved budgets and project objectives.
• Conduct regular budget reviews with the project team to ensure adherence to the budget and recommend necessary adjustments.
• Monitor, document, and track all project expenses, ensuring that they are properly recorded and aligned with the project’s financial policies.
• Review financial records to ensure all transactions are supported by proper documentation.
• Oversee the financial aspects of the procurement process, ensuring compliance with budget limits and financial guidelines.
• Review contracts, payment schedules, and other financial documents related to the procurement of technology through the international tender process.
• Prepare regular financial reports (monthly, quarterly, annually) for CEO and donors, highlighting key financial activities and budget status.
• Provide financial analyses as needed, identifying areas where corrective actions may be necessary.
• Prepare financial statements in compliance with international standards and donor requirements.

• Manage and support the overall financial management of the Union of Stone and Marble, ensuring effective allocation of resources to meet the Union's operational and project goals.
• Oversee the Union’s operating budget, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall strategic objectives.

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Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance OR Accounting 
• An additional certified professional accounting qualifications is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial management, ideally in a non-profit or development context.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and procurement management in projects funded by international donors.
• Proven experience in financial oversight of procurement processes.
• Experience working with non-profit organizations and private sector institutions
• Familiarity with managing financial operations in sustainable development or green technology projects is an advantage.

Skills:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., Audit , MS Excel, )
• Knowledge of financial regulations, auditing standards, and compliance requirements for donor-funded projects.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and effectively engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required.

Very important notes:

• Applicants for all the required positions must be residents of Bethlehem Governorate to ensure the smooth execution of the project and to avoid any obstacles in accessibility, as the workplace will be the Union's headquarters in Bethlehem.
• Only resumes that meet the aforementioned requirements will be reviewed.

Please send a cover letter and CV, clearly stating the position you are applying for in the cover letter and the email correspondence, along with three references contacts and their communication details, to the following email address:: [email protected]