About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Position Title:          Deputy Finance Manager - Sub Recipient Compliance & Capacity Building

Department:            Finance

Duty Station:            CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Employment Term:   Indefinite term 

Reports To:                 Finance Manager

Application Deadline:   April 9, 2023

I. Job Summary:

The Deputy Manager Finance (Sub Recipient Compliance & Capacity Building) together with senior compliance officer and the finance officers form the core team of finance professionals involved in building the capacity of CRS partners in finance programming support work and are the key point of contact for Country Program sub recipient specific finance issues. A key responsibility of the Deputy Finance Manager is to ensure sound program financial management capacity of the Sub recipient, to support the overall coordination, leading and supervision of the program support functions in the Finance department (accounting, budget monitoring, reporting and accuracy of forecasts).  DFM(SRCCB) must also ensure compliance to policies, procedures, donors’ & local government requirements. Special responsibility of DFM(SRCCB) is to ensure that CRS’ private resources and donors’ grants are properly managed and all regulations/requirements applicable to those funds are fully complied with.  It is also DFM(SRCCB) duty to oversee the sub-recipient policy while ensuring that advances issued to partners are properly accounted for and liquidated within the established deadlines and the liquidation documentation is in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and in compliance with CRS and donor requirements.   The DFM(SRCCB) serves as the principal advisor to the sub recipient leadership on all matters relating to sub-recipient financial management.  S/he takes a leadership role in shaping the country program’s processes and practices in the area of Subrecipient financial management.

II.  Key /Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Management and Analysis

• Ensure that the sub-recipient financial management is in compliance with CRS’ policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations and legal requirements.

• Ensure the overall accuracy of sub-recipient financial information recorded in the sub recipient’s general ledger and reflected on the country program’s trial balance and other financial reports submitted to HQ, donors and other stakeholders.

• Oversee the development and implementation of robust local financial systems and processes (e.g. grant monitoring tools, partner advances reconciliation statements and partner cash management tracking systems) as appropriate.

• Ensure that all assets including cash, investments, inventories, accounts receivable, and fixed assets held by sub-recipients are accurately reflected on the trial balance.

• Oversee the reconciliation of sub-recipient fixed assets’ physical counts with Financial system records and quarterly inventory reports prepared by administration department.

• Ensure sub recipient’s financial records and transactions, are adequately supported as per CRS’ Documentation Policy and Document Retention Policy with due consideration of local laws and donors’ documentation requirements.

Planning

• In close collaboration with the Head of Programming (HOP), Head of Operations (HoOP) and other senior managers, leads in preparation and submission of an annual sub recipient monitoring plan.

• Ensure that all new sub recipients are included in the assessment and monitoring plans as per the SRFM policy.

• Ensure all the Subrecipient monitoring visits are conducted on time and the monitoring reports are as per the standard stipulated in the SRFMP and ensure monitoring reports are shared with Subrecipients through email.

• Ensure all monitoring reports are uploaded in Gateway not later than 7 days after the completion of the monitoring.

 Sub-recipients’ financial management and Capacity Building

• Lead efforts towards building and strengthening the capacity of sub-recipients in the area of financial management. In liaison with the Senior Finance officer for programming and the program managers, plan and organize regular trainings and other capacity building initiatives such as exchange visits to ensure that sub-recipients acquire and maintain the skills required to manage financial resources provided by CRS and other donors.

• Plan and Lead the assessment teams to regularly monitor sub-recipients’ ability to safeguard financial resources entrusted to them.

• Lead CRS activities towards support of sub-recipients in design and implementation of effective internal control improvement plans.

• Maintain good working relationships with subrecipients based on mutual respect and effective communication and work closely with CR, HoOP, HOP and Program Managers to ensure coordinated and consistent partners strengthening efforts.

• Oversee the management of sub-recipients advances and liquidations in accordance with the Subrecipient Financial Management Policy and the terms of the related sub-recipients’ agreements.

• Arrange capacity building training to subrecipient based on gaps identified during the monitoring visit.

• Provide capacity strengthening training to subrecipients and develop action plans for improvement of their ICS.

Reporting

• Ensure sub recipient financial monitoring reports and monitoring trips are uploaded on Gateway on a timely and consistent manner.

• Submit a monthly report on the status of sub recipient monitoring and ICIP plans to HoOP.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• MA or BA Degree in Accounting, Financial Management, or related field from recognized institution.

• ACCA certification is desirable.

• At least 8 years for BA and 5 years for MA - work experience in a busy finance environment

• Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, MS Word, and Access.

• Knowledge of NGO/INGO finance, accounting, and budgeting policies, procedures, and standards and donor requirements.

• Experience with ERP accounting systems is preferred.

• Fluency in written and spoken English; excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Training and knowledge of USG Financial Management regulations.

Competencies /Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Demonstrated strengths in financial management with a strong client service focus; able to work with diverse groups of people and team-oriented environment.

• Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties

• Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines

• Problem analysis and problem resolution at functional level

• Able to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment.

• Strong customer orientation

• Able to work independently.

• Able to adapt and learn.

• Strong organization and planning skills, detail oriented

• Maturity and discretion, able to work with, and maintain confidential information.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English language required.

Travel Required. 50% travel

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Sr. Finance Officers, Finance Officers

Internal: DCROp, DCRPr, Project managers, HQ, Internal auditor, FM

External: Partners, External auditors, Donors

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

 Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through this link: CLICK HERE and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline March 29, 2023.

You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

** Qualified women & persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply**