Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia

Organization: Danish Refugee Council

Closing date: 6 Mar 2024

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent international non-governmental organization, working in 40+ countries throughout the world, and our primary mandate is to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced populations. The DRC office in Nairobi is a Regional Office providing management support and strategic direction to DRC programs operating in East Africa & Great Lake region.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading a consortium of partners in implementation of the EU-funded programme BORESHA NABAD across Mandera, Kenya, Dollo Ado, Ethiopia and Gedo, Somalia. Building upon BORESHA I, II and III, BORESHA NABAD is centred on enhancing the effectiveness of conflict prevention and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and resilience-building in cross-border communities. DRC is partnering with Rural Agency for Community Development (RACIDA), Voice for Peace for All in the Horn of Africa (VOPA) and Mandera Women for Peace and Development (WFPD) to deliver BORESHA NABAD.

Overall purpose of the role

DRC is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual to be a key member of BORESHA Project Management Unit (PMU) and contribute to ensure overall planning, implementing, and managing of the project, and assure progress towards achieving project goals and objectives. Based in Nairobi, with 20% travel to the field locations in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, the Finance Coordinator supports in day to day routine financial duties, review of budget/budget modifications and is the lead finance focal point for the PMU, Project Steering Committee, Technical Working Group and also acts as Technical Focal Point to all field operations from the three consortium members across all locations.

Key responsibilities

• Working with the Partnership and Sub-Award Coordinator, lead on assessing partner finance capacity and the development and delivery of finance capacity strengthening initiatives.

• Along with financial capacity strengthening initiatives provide technical assistance to Consortium and Implementing Partners as necessary to achieve and maintain high standards of compliance.

• Ensure the proper systems (process and tools) for monitoring of compliance for Consortium and Implementing Partners are set up during the planning, implementation and close-out stage of the project.

• Monitor the financial aspects of Consortium and Implementing Partners in line with donor requirements and partnerships’ agreed policies and procedures with support from the Regional Finance Manager.

• Ensure that financial, logistics and HR management systems and records from all the Consortium and Implementing Partners are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets and interest of the partnerships.

• Undertake regular compliance visits to assess the compliance of financial, HR and logistics systems of Consortium and Implementing Partners and put forward recommendation for improvements where appropriate with support from Support Services Departments.

• Overseeing financial progress against agreed targets of the project, including monitoring of finance capacity strengthening initiatives targets among Consortium and Implementing Partners.

• Ensure that Consortium and Implementing Partners finance reports are thoroughly reviewed in coordination with the level of risk assessed and in accordance with DRC and EU financial guidelines.

• Check the maintenance of a good filing system for all financial and accounting deliverables to ensure ease of access during internal/external audit.

• Oversight of financial and administrative management of the programme overall (including liaison at Regional level, Country level and Consortium and Implementing Partners) ensuring compliance with DRC and EU rules and regulations.

• Organizing and leading monthly BFU/TDL reviews meeting and monitor actual spending and advise Programme and Finance teams at Regional and Country Office level and Consortium and Implementing Partners Finance team on financial issues (overspends, underspends, compliance issues, clearing of outstanding advances etc.).

• Preparing budget modifications where needed in collaboration with Programme and Finance teams and Consortium and Implementing Partners relevant focal points.

• Minimizing financial risks by ensuring that partnership (implementing and consortium) members’ financial policies and procedures are strictly adhered to through predefined effective internal control systems.

• Ensure completeness, accuracy and validity of information regarding the payment documents at the Regional Office level before payments are done, including salary and share cost allocation.

• Ensuring the implementation of recommendations raised through internal and external audits, compliance audits, financial strengthening initiatives etc.

• Coordination with consortium members and/or with NGO Liaison bodies to obtain relevant local tax laws/requirements and ensure all partners comply. This includes obtaining tax exemptions (i.e. Value Added Tax [VAT]) letters on yearly basis where needed.

• Coordination with the procurement and logistics departments of Implementing/Consortium members to ensure the relevant taxes (if applicable) are indicated in all supplier documentation and paid to the relevant departments in a timely manner.

• Providing financial management support for close-out process and external audit process.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Job Requirement

Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 5 years of international practical experience in financial management

• Proven experience in managing large budgets

• Competence in providing technical guidance and training

• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities

• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g. UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID or BPRM guidelines)

• Advanced proficiency in Excel

• Full professional proficiency in English

Conditions

Contract: One year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Staff ; Employment band F Non- Management.

Duty station: Nairobi, Mogadishu, Addis Ababa

Availability: March 2024

Reporting Line: Chief of Party- Boresha

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process

How to apply

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on THIS LINK

Screening will be done on a rolling basis

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 06 March 2024.