Regional Finance Specialist

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Finance Specialist for the Regional Office in Nairobi.

About the job

Under the management of the Regional Finance Manager, the Regional Finance Specialist has a regional focus and provide overall advice, guidance, and technical support on financial and budgetary matters. Coordinate with Programme Teams to support field offices’ finance and administration teams, building their capacity and ensuring compliance with DRC operational Handbook and other Finance SOPs. This senior position requires strong previous experience in finance management within the humanitarian sector or an international organization, as well as a solid understanding of procedures and policies related to monthly invoicing and commercial contracts.

The position works closely with the Regional Finance Manager and Regional Finance Coordinator and may serve as acting for both in their absence.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Ensure the completeness, accuracy, and validity of financial documents, handling monthly resource scheduling, timesheets, invoicing and allocations.
• Participate in the development of project budgets to ensure compliance with internal and donor regulations, maintaining budgetary control and funding oversight.
• Set up projects in ERP Dynamics, aligning with financial management standards including budget forecasts, modifications, and reports.
• Support the Regional Finance Manager in Master Budget implementation, budget follow-ups, cost control, monthly accounting closures, and shared cost rules.
• Act as the focal point for external audits, coordinate with the Regional Finance Manager to manage audit requirements and implement audit recommendations.
• Provide substitution expertise based on needs and oversee additional projects or entities as required.
• During project start-up, ensure accurate set-up of the project along with the relevant Project Manager (PM), including project budget, in Dynamics by Country Operations and HQ finance teams. The Finance Specialist is specifically responsible for following up with DRC’s PM for the correct information for the project, project contract and grant cards, as well as for building accurate Forecast Models (both Approved Budget and Sales Budget).
• Working closely with project management and HQ finance focal points (Business Controller and Contract Finance Coordinator), ensure timely and accurate project financial management, including accurate budget tracking and forecasting (internal DRC reporting); and invoicing, expense reporting, and forecasting (client reporting).
• Advise on and support the development and approval of budget amendments, including working closely with the project management, Country Office and delivery teams to define workplans, areas to implement Value for Money, appropriate budgeting for DRC core and support staff, and completing any other budget documentation required by the client.
• Advise on project compliance with internal, and external audit recommendations; as well as facilitate client spot checks and support project teams to implement recommendations. During project closedown, support project management teams, CO Finance and HQ finance in facilitating donor-led audits and producing final expense reports/invoices.

About you

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have at least 3 years’ experience of practical in financial management at a senior level. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in finance/accounting or business administration;
• Proven capability in budget and financial management and needs-based cost reduction
• Skilled in providing technical guidance and training to teams.
• Experienced in collaborating with national partners, local/government authorities, and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for financial analysis and reporting.
• Full professional proficiency in English, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Experience of managing donor funded commercial contracts, including from donors such as FCDO, World Bank, USG and DANIDA.

Desirable

• Other languages like Swahili, Arabic, French will be added advantage

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 1 year

Band: G1 Non- Management
Salary: starting point of base salary in KES/month 337,500

Designation of Duty Station: Nairobi/ Kenya

Start date: 15 October 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or Nationals; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies