Regional Controller, International Programs

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction." -Albert Einstein

Background / IRC Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 US cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Job Overview / Summary

The IRC Finance department seeks to achieve excellence in financial management by providing accurate and timely financial information to IRC management and programs and by adhering to established financial practices and accounting principles. The International Finance Team does this by supporting and training international finance staff in country program offices, by implementing and monitoring the implementation of IRC and donor policies and procedures, and by gathering the necessary financial information in preparation of the organizations’ financial statements.

Scope of Work

As a member for the International Finance Team, the Regional Controller, International Programs will facilitate timely and accurate reporting of financial and budgetary information from international field offices to headquarters (“HQ”) in New York and to external donors. The successful candidate will guide and review the work of the finance staff in the field offices, and will liaise with Regional and County Directors in the country field offices on financial, accounting, and budgetary matters.

Based at IRC Headquarters in New York, the Regional Controller, International Programs will report to the Director of International Finance and will work closely with the field based Finance Controllers, Country Directors, and Regional Directors.

Essential Job Function & Role Responsibilities

Job functions include yet are not limited to:

• Participate in the preparation of donor proposals:
  • Provide technical support to country Finance Controllers and Managers
  • Provide guidance on compliance issues to colleagues in the field
  • Perform the final financial review of the proposal document prior to approval and submission the donor
• Prepare and submit quarterly US Government financial reports (form 269 and 272) for overseas operations
• Review non-USG interim and final financial reports prior to submission to either the donor or the IRC-UK
• Research and finalize closeouts for the US Government grant portfolio
• Prepare and review internal financial reports and ensure that management at headquarters and the regional and country office level are kept abreast of financial related issues of the country offices
• Review and approve the cash transfer requests to ensure excess cash is not transferred from New York or affiliate offices
• Review country office receivables balances to ensure appropriate and timely follow-up
• Ensure that senior management is aware of financial, administrative and/or procurement issues that may impact country offices performance
• Provide technical guidance and support as requested by the country offices
• Ensure timely dissemination of new initiatives and polices to the field and monitoring of implementation
• Review and submit the monthly country offices’ financial data, including the upload of Country Office files into NY SUN database
• Ascertain that the SUN database in the country offices is reconciled to the NY SUN database
• Monitor country office balance sheets and ensure that balances are adequately supported by reviewing quarterly reconciliation packages
• Perform periodic checks on the country office database to ensure currency clearing and proper maintenance of the export consolidation, chart of account etc.
• Facilitate the clearing of inter-company accounts
• Contribute to discussions on financial policy issues including the maintenance and development of the International Finance Manual
• Conduct training at and participate in the International or Regional Finance Conferences
• Develop an expertise on the rules and regulations of a non-US government donor as assigned by the Director, and provide guidance in the area of donor compliance
• Participate in regional meetings (IPD, logistics etc) as requested and when available
• Assist Country Directors and HR staff with the recruitment of high quality finance staff by conducting interviews and providing assessment on candidates’ technical abilities
• Participate in identifying and developing high performing financial staff (expat and national staff)
• Ensure Country office maintain monthly budgets as required
• Ensure up to date maintenance of grant files
• Respond to ad hoc requests made by the Director of International Finance, the regional units or the country offices
• Be available to travel to field offices for periodic visits

Job Requirements
Successful candidates will most closely meet the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of five years progressive finance/accounting experience in the non-profit sector
• Demonstrated familiarity with GAAP and proven general knowledge of Fund Accounting
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and diplomatically manage collegial relationships
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment
• Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment & independently and ability to meet unexpected demands
• Strong computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, various accounting software, and email/internet software
• The ability and willingness to travel to developing countries

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance - Masters Degree, CPA or CA a plus
• Previous work experience in a multi-cultural international environment abroad is highly desirable
• Previous work experience with a major general ledger software package – experience with SUN preferred
• Proven knowledge of US Government and European Union regulations highly desirable

Working Environment

• The position will work in the New York City Headquarters location and is expected to be on-site
• Standard office work environment

To Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your resume along with a brief *cover letter, all as 1 single MS Word or PDF document will be the best way to submit. In your cover letter please include the following 3 points:

1. Your current salary & your salary requirements / salary expectations
2. Your experience as it directly relates to the requirements listed in the job description
3. Why you want to work for the IRC

*Those candidates who provide the requested cover letter will be given priority

Please apply through our website at www.rescue.org/careers and please let us know where you found our post!