Regional Head of Finance East and Southern Africa

Females are highly encouraged to apply. 

What we are looking for

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and beliefs guide our actions and relationships.

What you will do:

1. Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Regional Head of Finance is to assume the overall responsibility for financial management in the region promoting innovation and learning, and a cost-conscious culture with a high focus on quality. The Regional Head of Finance has the overall responsibility for the strategic development of the Finance in the region including delivery of strategic analysis to NRCs regional management. In addition, the post holder should provide direction to country finance management in line with NRC HOs policies and initiatives in order to provide maximum support to the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the region. 

The post holder will work actively across the region to ensure strategic planning includes financial aspects that are aligned with global finance priorities.  They will also feed in the field perspective from ESA countries to the development of Global Finance initiatives.

 

Key objectives for this role include:

1. Accountable for adherence to all relevant NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
2. Implement the global finance initiatives/tools/system in the region
3. Develop and implement specific financial procedures, SOPs, guidelines and tools in the region including forecasts.
4. Ensure control mechanisms in finance in NRC operations in the region
5. Provide regional level input and contributions to new global Finance initiatives and considering cross-regional implications of changes to policy and practice.

Specific Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Management:

 

• Contribute to the development of the multi-year strategic and financial plans and being accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted financial analytical review and high accuracy in forecasts.
• Manage the regional office budget, providing accounting, payroll, grant management and financial management support to the regional team.
• Ensure that cost recoveries from country offices and hosting fees are secured and booked on monthly basis.
• Ensure integrity of the accounts of the countries within the region.  Make sure that main policies and procedures are well understood; accountability is clear, balance sheet accounts are reconciled on monthly basis and deadlines for monthly closure are respected.
• Internal control – ensuring that funds are used as intended.   Accountable for control of assets and liabilities, ensuring costs are accurately charged against budgets.

 

Staff development and mentorship:

• Ensure Country Finance Managers s and regional finance staff have the right finance skillsand experience to carry out their roles.
• Manage the regional finance team, defining expectations, providing leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluating direct reports regularly.
• Be responsible for the recruitment and training of staff as appropriate and ensuring availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Manage the performance of all staff in the regional finance unit through staff development and performance management systems.  Establishing results-based system and follow up.

 

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. As the above responsibilities are just a snapshot from the Job description. 

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• 5 or more years in senior level of financial leadership, management and oversight experience in a large international NGO or organisation (preferably the humanitarian field)
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts, in order to develop a understanding of the particular demands facing accounting and financial management within an international context
• Relevant qualifications (Eg Accountancy, MBA)
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

 

Context related skills, knowledge and experience (shall be adapted to the specific position): 

• Knowledge of the countries supported by the section is an asset
• Understanding of donor/funder financial accountability and reporting is an asset
• Sufficient technical expertise and credibility to act as the Team Leader
• Willingness to undertake significant amounts of travel to the country offices for training, support and capacity building purposes

What we offer

• Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
• Salary/benefits: grade 10 on NRC’s salary scale.
• Duration of Contract: Fixed term
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• This position is open to all nationalities.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email ESA Recruitment esa.recruitment@nrc.nowith the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• Do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• Be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC