Regional Finance Director, Syria Response Region

Job posted by: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA - Mon, 1 Jun 2015

Job Details:

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA

Deadline Fri, 31 Jul 2015

Job type: Permanent

Location: Lebanon

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The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 3.8 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

 

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Finance Director works closely with regional and country program colleagues to support the effective, accountable and timely implementation of IRC programs in the Syria Response Region. As part of the regional management team, the Finance Director is charged with supporting the Regional Director to ensure that IRC is fully and effectively discharging its fiduciary and stewardship responsibilities across all locations and operations in the Syria Response Region. In doing so, the Finance Director provides regional oversight of financial management performance at the country level and oversees the development and management of regional, multi-country and cross-border budgets. The Finance Director provides appropriate and timely support and advice on financial management matters to the Regional Director. Reporting to the Regional Director, the Finance Director collaborates closely with the Regional Controller, based in New York, and Technical Controller for SRR, based in Amman.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial/Budget Management: Support RD to deliver strong financial oversight of SRR regional portfolio

  • Prepare regional annual budgets and reforecasts.
  • Review country level fiscal year budgets and reforecasts on a consolidated basis for follow-up by the RD.
  • Monitor regional, multi-country and cross-border budgets, including unrestricted and restricted fund balances. Identify and make recommendations about reallocation of regional resources. Act proactively in identifying potential problem areas in managing to budget.
  • Assist the RD in developing and managing the regional office operating budget.
  • In collaboration with HQ International Finance staff, assist country programs to ensure the submission of timely and accurate financial data to HQ and to donors.

 

Grants Management: Deliver strong financial management of regional, multi-country and cross-border grants

  • Prepare and maintain budgets to ensure data is accurate, complete and maintained on a timely basis.
  • In coordination with country and HQ staff, monitor grant spending to ensure timely expenditure of donor funds, on-time project closure, and adherence with donor regulations.
  • Review and consolidate funding forecasts, cash requests and expense projections.
  • Prepare consolidated grant-level budget versus actual reports, including analysis of and brief commentary about matters arising in these reports.
  • Propose adjusting journal entries to reallocate/recode expenses and other charges, as appropriate.
  • Prepare consolidated financial reports per donor requirements and formats.
  • Ensure coverage of regional unit operating costs across awards at all levels and in all locations.

 

Sub-award Management: Working closely with the SRR Partnership Director, ensure strong oversight and management of sub-awards in the SRR region

  • Work with regional and country program staff to ensure business processes relating to sub-recipients deliver adherence to agency and donor policies and requirements across the region.
  • Support regional and country program staff to establish practices that proactively identify and responsibly manage risk relating to work with sub-recipients in cross-border programming.
  • Collaborate with regional and country program staff to establish and deliver processes that support sub-recipient’s financial management capacity strengthening efforts.

 

General Finance Support: Working closely with the Regional Controller and Technical Controller, provide ongoing financial management oversight and support to SRR country programs remotely or through in-person visits

  • Support financial compliance and performance improvement, including problem identification and resolution.
  • Support the recruitment, orientation, coaching, training, performance appraisal and professional development of a cadre of high-performing country program finance staff.
  • Undertake monitoring and analysis of key financial management issues and trends in order to identify solutions that address them quickly, effectively and durably.
  • Ensure that financial implications of risk are properly assessed, calculated and recorded.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: SRR Regional Director; SRR regional team; SRR Country Directors and Finance Controllers; HQ International Finance team; HQ Internal Audit; IPD colleagues.

External : Sub-recipients, donor representatives, external auditors.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • CPA, CA or MBA preferred; Bachelor’s degree in Accounting minimum.
  • At least 5 years of accounting experience in an international operations environment.
  • Strong understanding of and experience in donor regulations (US Government, European donors, and UN agencies)
  • Knowledge of Sun Systems
  • Strong ICT skills (including proficiency in the use of MS Office).
  • Superb interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills
  • Proven ability to persuade and influence colleagues not under supervisory authority
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated strong writing skills
  • Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
  • Must be willing and able to travel frequently within the region
  • Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team
  • Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values
  • Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, while being a team player
  • A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region is strongly preferred

 

Other Information: Amman is currently not assessed as a high-risk environment and it remains a generally safe city as long as IRC security protocols are observed. The post is fully accompanied and housing will be provided by IRC according to the IRC Jordan housing policy. Travel at approximately 25% of the Finance Director’s time is anticipated.


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