Background:

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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. IRC has been working in Ethiopia since 1999 and is implementing integrated, community-managed programs aimed at improving the quality of lives and recovery of livelihood of the disaster-affected population’s through promoting individual participation, strengthening institutions, and emergency response.

Scope of work:

As a member of the Country Program Senior Management Team, the Deputy Director Finance provides Financial leadership and management necessary to ensure that the country program has the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the strategic vision and mission of the organization. S/he will chip in to the development of the country programs strategic and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review. The position holder will be on top of the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting management of the IRC Ethiopia. Emphasis will be placed on financial management policies, practices and system aligned with national laws and US as well as adhering to donor requirements but are also conducive to effective implementation of country programs.

As Deputy Director Finance, s/he will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as the principal finance business partner to the SMT and Country Director, Regional staff as well as conforming to IRCs financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.

Based in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the Deputy Director Finance will have dual reporting to the Country Director (CD) and the Regional Controller, including straight line accountability to the CFO.

Key areas of accountability:

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Provides financial information which supports the CD and SMT in making business decisions in line with IRC, Regional & Country Program strategies
• Provides strategic analysis on the overall financial health of the country program to the CD and SMT
• Contributes and provides feedback to the development of Country Programs Strategic Annual Plan

Controllership

• Ensures that all in-country practices are in compliance with IRC and donor policies and procedures
• Establishes in-country finance procedures to supplement global policies as needed
• Closely monitors financial activities and advises the Country Director on financial performance of the office, issues with internal controls or financial management
• Ensures monthly balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a timely basis
• Manages the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by headquarters and donors
• Identifies requirements for and develops reporting formats to aid in the management of country operations and grant expenditures
• Directs the preparation of and approves all donor financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Country Director and Regional Controller prior to submission
• Ensures in-country internal control reviews of operations are regularly undertaken.
• Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits
• Leads all aspects of the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) through the put in place of internal control policies and procedures
• Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and follows tax and other legal requirements
• Is the principal liaison with IRC HQ on all finance, accounting, grant budget management, and cash management

Training & Staff Management

• Establishes a finance department roles and responsibilities matrix; staff job descriptions are current; recruits and maintains qualified staff to perform finance functions
• Ensures comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed annually; career planning and development plans are in place for all finance staff
• Develops and implements a training program for the country’s finance staff
• Is responsible for finance training and technical support to non-finance staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control

Treasury

• Supervises all country program bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates
• Oversees the review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations
• Maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments which obligate IRC to future spending
• Ensures that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation and cash held in headquarters in drawn regularly
• Ensures the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses
• Supervises the collection of contractual and other receivables

Budget/Forecast

• Oversees the review of grants proposal and revision of grant proposal budgets; supports grants/programs with guidance on costing and inputs in creating budgets for submission
• Prepares and maintains the country’s annual operating budget; ensures cost coverage for in-country operating costs and updates the operating budget regularly
• Presents and facilitates the review of actual to budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; recognized professional certificate in accounting, such as CPA, and Master’s degree preferred
• At least 5 years of experience working in financial management in a multi-sectoral and multi-donor environment.
• Familiarity with major donor rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening of staff and a proven commitment to staff development.
• Strong ability to communicate concisely and with impact in English.
• Should be a strong collaborator with effective interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work, manage, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced operating environment.
• Must have a proven track record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions.
• Must be able to function effectively in a sophisticated work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with competing priorities and pressure.
• Capable of managing conflict and conflicting views.
• Commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose, and values.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.