Director of Finance and Administration

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with a presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

The IRC began working in Somalia in the early 1980s, initially to assist people seeking refuge in the aftermath of the Somalia-Ethiopian conflict. The focus of IRC Somalia programming is on Health, Nutrition, Economic Resilience, Recovery and Development, Governance, WASH, Women’s Protection and Empowerment interventions to crisis affected communities in most of the targeted locations. With headquarters in Mogadishu, the IRC oversees field offices in Dhusamareb, Gaalkayo and Garowe in Puntland, Galmudug and Benadir Region. IRC programming in Somalia adopts an integrated approach, in which each sector provides mutually reinforcing services to at-risk populations.

Objective

The IRC seeks a Director of Finance and Administration for the anticipated five-year, multi-million-dollar USAID People Centered Governance Activity to promote more effective and legitimate local governance that offers a credible alternative to Al-Shabaab rule in southern Somalia. The project seeks to: 1) Enhance legitimacy of the Somali state by supporting districts to prevent and manage conflict impartially and promote greater participation of citizens in decision-making, particularly among women, youth and historically marginalized communities, and 2) improve the performance- or effectiveness - of the Somali state by supporting districts to mobilize and manage resources and identify and respond to citizen priorities.

The Director of Finance and Administration will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Chief of Party and other Senior Management team members. The Finance Director will be responsible for ensuring the compliant implementation of the project in accordance with USAID award’s terms, USAID regulations, rules and policies, IRC rules and guiding principles, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards and objectives.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the overall leadership, planning, implementation, administration, and financial management of the project, as well as the achievement of all impact goals and objectives.

• Establish project’s finance and supporting function policies, systems and procedures, and directs or performs their development, documentation, and implementation.

• Direct the preparation and approval of all USAID financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Chief of Party and IRC HQ prior to submission.

• Maintain current knowledge of local Government requirements related to financial matters and ensure compliance with tax regulations and other legal requirements.

• Design, implement, and monitor systems, procedures and reporting necessary to maintain updated accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments entered into and which obligate IRC to future spending.

• Oversee spending plans and monitoring of timely expenditure of activities and other project costs, including operational and staffing costs.

• Support consortium partners with finance, accounting and administrative matters, maintain collaborative partner relations, and ensure effective delivery of project support when needed.

• Oversee all sub-grantees/sub-contractors adherence to USAID, IRC, and host country policies.

• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the IRC Finance team and Senior Management Team, supervise implementation of audit recommendations when necessary.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a Master’s degree in Accounting.

• Minimum of eight years of experience including five in similar Finance, Compliance, or Operations role supporting USAID and international donor projects in similar contexts.

• Experience with budgeting and financial reporting requirements on multimillion-dollar USAID-funded projects.

• Experience with financial management and reporting on projects with subawards.

• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures.

• In-depth knowledge of US Government financial management processes, rules and regulations required

• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs.

• Significant previous experience working in crisis-affected contexts, preferably in East Africa and/or Somalia.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders.

• Experience working to incorporate issues of Government accountability, transparency, and equity in education programs, including gender, ethnicity, and disability inclusion.

• Experience managing USAID cooperative agreement and overseeing international and local sub-recipients and grantees.

• Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical.

• The candidate must be fluent in English; flu.

Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.

Safety & Security Situation

All staff must comply with all IRC Somalia security policies and procedures.

Standards for Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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 or disability.

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Qualifications