IRC opened the country program in Mali in 2012. Our programs range from humanitarian assistance to early recovery activities, focusing on child protection, education, economic well-being, nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and governance. We work in both northern, central, and southern Mali. Conflict and drought have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Mali and neighboring countries. The security situation in the north remains fragile. Nevertheless, the needs of displaced people and host communities affected by the conflict are widespread and the issue of humanitarian access is an ongoing process. IRC works in northern and central Mali to provide essential EHA, education, economic well-being, protection, and health programs in the most remote areas. The position is designed to help improve the capacity and strengthen the resources of populations to prevent and mitigate crises, manage change, and build self-reliance and resilience.
Job Overview
The ideal candidate will have excellent coordination skills, the ability to innovate and problem-solve effectively, and the ability to work with multiple departments.
Main responsibilities:
Controllership
• As required, advise the Deputy Director, of Finance to establish and strengthen in-country finance procedures to supplement global policies.
• Coordinate the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by WA CRRD, New York, and donors. (Donors reports and Month-end Closure). Make sure all month-end required journals are reviewed and approved before posting, and inform the Nairobi Finance Analyst when all Month-end transactions are posted into Integra.
• Work closely with the grants coordinator and programs to ensure partner management complies with the PEERs manual (selection, capacity building, reporting and monitoring and verifications, and the working group, etc.)
• Work closely with the grants and supply chain coordinators to identify requirements and develop reporting and monitoring formats to aid in managing country operations and grant expenditures.
• Provide country management and program staff with monthly actual-to-budget expenditure reports and analysis for all grants and Unrestricted funds.
• Closely monitors all financial activities, and keeps the Deputy Director, Finance advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial performance.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of donor financial reports with respect to accounting, legal, and contractual requirements and ensure the review of such reports by the Deputy Director, Finance, and Regional Controller prior to submission.
• Serve as the secondary liaison with IRC NY after the Deputy Director, of Finance on all grant budget management matters.
Budget
• Assists with the preparation and revision of program and grant proposals and budgets.
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of the country’s Operating Budget; including preparation of budget guidelines to assist program managers in formulating budgets.
• In compliance with donor requirements and IRC policy develop the “Field Operations/Overhead” budget and follow the methodology for allocation of overhead to grant budgets to cover program operational needs.
• Working with program staff to prepare grant budgets to support realignments to ensure adequate coverage of operating costs and NY direct and indirect costs.
• Monthly review of actual vs. budget results to ensure maximum utilization of budgeted amounts and to provide recommendations for realignments as required.
• Provide oversight of active grant spending against budget to ensure expenditure is on target and variances/reclassifications are minimized.
• Prepare or review adjustment journals for correcting coding errors, reclassifications, etc.
• Participate in Grants Opening/Review closing and monthly BVA review meetings.
• Follow up and provide feedback to operations and program staff on action points from the previous BVA meetings and propose adjustment journals required for all BVA and financial reports in compliance with donor’s regulations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local financial authority requirements and ensure compliance with tax regulations and other legal obligations through payroll and all other payments.
• Ensure forecasts are updated for grants and prepare analysis with actuals to show variance and areas of improvement.
Donor Reports
• Preparation and consolidation of grant financial reports and submission for Deputy Director, Finance review.
• Analysis of Partnership budget versus actual results to identify problems in accounting or compliance.
• Identification of procedural or training issues to be addressed to improve the quality of data reporting. Regularly update the Deputy Director, Finance or issues that need to be addressed on Partners financials reports.
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports, including assets, and that all deadlines are communicated to donors in a timely manner. Proactively liaise with the project the project manager or Budget Coordinator/donor if deadlines cannot be met.
Training & Staff Management
• Develop and implement a training program for the country’s international and national finance staff to ensure staff development and minimize IRC’s exposure when staff are absent or depart.
• Maintains current job descriptions for all positions within the finance group.
• Ensures comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed on a timely basis and facilitates discussion of performance and career options with all country finance staff.
• Oversees training and technical support to the country program, logistics, and administrative staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting and reporting.
Other Duties
• Contribute to the overall proper functioning of the Finance department by taking on any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Contribute to the overall improvement of the financial and accounting system in IRC Mali by providing recommendations to supervisor for consideration on specific areas that could be improved.
• Schedule and coordinate bi-weekly finance meetings including field finance and disseminate minutes and actions with the finance staff.
• Provide support to the challenges and assistance needed to run the finance department’s weekly tasks from the meetings.
• Coordinates communication between IRC grants, program, and sub-grantees
• In collaboration with the Grant unit/ Project manager convene regular partners’ coordination meeting
• Document and share minutes of partners’ coordination meetings, follow up with partners on action points agreed in the coordination meeting
• Work and maintain regular communication with sector coordinators for Program integration through the implementation of projects involving partners
• Contribute to teamwork and team play.
• Perform any other task requested by the Deputy Director, Finance
• Step in to cover any of the Deputy Director, Finance Key working relationships.
Key working relationships
• Position reports to Deputy Director, Finance
• Positions under direct supervision: Accounting Coordinator, Budget Development Manager, Budget Analyst Manager
• Indirect reporting: NA
• Internal: Audit, Programs, Operations, and Grants teams
• External: Sub-awardees, UN agency, local donors, audit firms
Job Requirements:
Education (Knowledge):
• Bachelor’s Degree or master’s in Accounting, Finance or Controllership
• Qualification in Professional Accountancy will be an added advantage
Experience:
• Minimum 5 years experience in a busy finance department with an International NGO.
• Experienced working with computerized accounting is required, with Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferable.
Skills and Abilities
Preferred:
• Able to work with limited supervision, be flexible, and comfortable in a multi-cultural workforce.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize work.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Microsoft Outlook
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Honest, reliable, and trustworthy
• Fluency in spoken and written English and French
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Willing to adhere to and carry out the IRC rules.
• Must be able to handle large workloads effectively.
Mandatory:
• Committed to the mission and principles of the International Rescue Committee.
• Operational management – understand IRC policies and systems and apply them effectively.
• Applies effective utilization of resources.
• Program Management – Proficiency in project planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• The ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to work with all grades of staff.
• The ability to identify issues, problems, and opportunities early and inform the line manager.
• Results-driven – ensures goals, objectives, and deadlines are met.
• Role model – Builds effective work practices through role models.
• Respectful both within the organization and with external interactions.
• Self-Management – The ability to adapt learn, and accept constructive criticism and instructions from superiors.
• Can communicate effectively both verbally and in written communication across all departments.
• Lives up to commitments and works towards the aims of the organization, showing consistency.
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.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/47719?c=rescue