Finance Intern

Alsama Project

You will join Alsama s HQ in Shatila Refugee Camp, Beirut. Guided by our Head of Finance (based in the UK), you will oversee a broad range of financial and accounting activities relating to the organisation in Lebanon.

What will you do?

The role spans core accounting, financial operations, systems (Odoo), and close collaboration with Development teams to ensure strong financial planning and donor accountability:

1. Financial Leadership & Support
   • Provide clear, accessible explanations of financial information to Lead Team and on-the-ground staff
   • Support non-finance colleagues to understand budgets, reports, and financial processes
   • Contribute to building financial literacy across the organisation
2. Financial Planning & Forecasting
   • Support the development of annual budgets, including cost, income, and cash flow forecasts
   • Assist with longer-term financial modelling and scenario planning
   • Contribute to annual budget and mid-year reforecasting processes
3. Financial Operations & Systems (Odoo)
   • Support the month-end reporting cycle within Odoo, including, document uploads, bank reconciliations, system checks and data validation
   • Upload and maintain Power BI reporting data
   • Play a key role in the Odoo payroll process, ensuring accuracy of payroll data, correct allocation of cost centres, and alignment with financial records
4. Data Management & CRM
   • Maintain and update financial and donor data within Odoo and CRM systems
   • Manage monthly donation data uploads and reporting to the Development team
   • Co-manage the Project Finance tracker with the Chief Development Officer, ensuring accuracy and completeness
5. Donor Finance & Reporting
   • Manage donor contracts, including tracking and proactively following up on outstanding payments
   • Issue receipts and maintain accurate income records
   • Support the Development team with grant applications by providing timely and accurate financial information
   • Prepare financial reports for donors in line with agreed budgets and reporting requirements
   • Support preparation of internal financial reports and materials for leadership and Board subcommittees
6. Compliance, Controls & Process Improvement
   • Maintain financial records and support audit preparation
   • Support Gift Aid claims and annual sanctions checks (AML compliance)
   • Identify and improve finance processes (payroll, procurement, month-end)

What core skills will you need?

Commitment

Commitment to our students. They have faced great adversity at a young age, but they are our first priority. We expect you to approach all your work with the question: how can I provide maximum benefit for our students and their future?

Adaptability. You persist through challenges by adapting to changing needs and context, identifying and mitigating risks without being paralysed by them.

Collaboration

Alsama owes its success to its diverse team. We expect you to have a fully integrated mindset, applying ultimate respect when coordinating with other members of staff.

Ambition

Alsama is building for the future: your work at Alsama will outlast you. You will need a goal-orientated mindset to develop and implement plans to hit targets.

What proficiencies and experience will you need?

Required:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; comfortable working with quantitative data
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Proactive, can-do attitude with the ability to take ownership of tasks
• Clear and structured communication skills (written and verbal) in English
• Bachelor s degree (minimum) and proven record of academic excellence.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in finance, accounting, or systems/ERP tools
• Academic background in Mathematics, Economics, Accounting, or a related field
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Power Query, Tableau, or SQL)
• Arabic fluency