Finance Manager Syria Damascus AO2

Contract

This is a Professional contract, Grade 9 (NRC) contract. More about Professional contract, Grade 9 (NRC) contracts.

Background

The Finance Manager is a key role in the NRC Syria Country office contributing to the financial management of the organization in a highly challenging and volatile context.

Role and responsibilities

The main objective for the Finance Manager position is to oversee financial setup according to NRC standards and to support programme/project implementation. The position holder will ensure that NRC Syria is well positioned to respond to current and future needs shall demonstrate strong engagement and leadership in all major Finance actions while ensuring capacity building of Finance teams across the entire country.

Generic Responsibilities:

• Ensure that country standard financial systems are established and maintained in line with NRC Financial Handbook, donor and local legislation requirements in order to provide appropriate levels of security and controls over the organization's resources and operations.
• Maintain overall budget control and monitor cash flows, oversee budgeting and monitoring of programme and shared costs, provide cost analysis and make recommendations for determining effective resource utilization and no deficit.
• Provide strong leadership to the Finance team in all offices whether with a direct line management or technical, ensuring competent and motivated staff are hired and retained.
• Provide financial advice to the budget holders, ensure adequate support is provided to programs and support functions ensuring the alignment of resource allocations with organizational priorities at budgeting and implementation stages.
• Provide timely, accurate and complete financial reporting and analysis that can be used for further improvement of service delivery and support informed decision making by CMG
• Implement anti-corruption policy
• Manage internal and external financial risks, highlight & resolve relevant issues with CMG
• Ensure appropriate measures are taken to address audit findings and recommendations
• Oversee and be responsible of incorporating NRC Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP) minimum standards into Syria activities, as per NRC guidelines, policies and Syria-specific explanatory notes and report any breaches/concerns, in a confidential manner, through NRC reporting channels.

• Promote and secure a safe working environment for reporting concerns/breaches, and that all cases reported are processed in a confidential, sensitive and timely manner.

  Specific responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of all Finance related policies, procedures, strategies, and initiatives in coordination with the Finance team to ensure success, consistency, and compliance.

• Update the Master Budget on regular basis to ensure that all funding gaps are covered.
• Perform audit and compliance checks on all related Finance matters in all related offices and follow up on corrective measures as needed, perform quality control and compilation of area offices’ reports.
• Prepare the budget for new proposals and grant applications to ensure compliance with NRC and donor guidelines.
• Ensure that monthly accounting books closing is accurate and is done on time and in line with NRC financial Handbook.
• Develop internal financial reports to be submitted to CMG and budget holders.
• Facilitate Monthly Budget versus Actual reporting for all NRC Syria projects and prepare forecast of income expenditures in coordination with Programme Staff as part of NRC board reports.
• Elaborate, review and update Finance Standard Operating Procedures for NRC Syria when needed
• Update and follow up on financial standard requirements for Local Partners (develop checklists for control visits, standardized budget template, budget monitoring template, etc.)
• Conduct budget management trainings and provide orientation on finance matters to non-finance staff.

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Area Managers, Area Porgamme Managers and Area Support Managers
• Finance Staff in Area Offices
• Programme Unit and Programme Specialists
• Compliance unit
• Other Support Units in Country Office (Logistics, HR, ICT)
• Regional Office Finance
• External Auditors
• Related NRC Partners
• NRC Country Management Group
• Related Donors

Competencies

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. Competencies are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following categories:

Professional competencies

• Minimum 3 years of experience from working as a senior Financial Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Experience of financial systems and structures development.
• Proficient in MS Excel and accounting systems.
• Fluent in English, written and verbal.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the Middle East context would be an advantageous
• Knowledge of Unit4 (Agresso) ERO would be an advantageous

Behavioral competencies

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, and the following are essential for this position:

• Managing performance and development
• Empowering and building trust
• Analysing
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Handling insecure environments
• Coping with change

Performance Management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the NRC Performance Management Manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The Work and Development Plan
• The NRC Competency Framework

What we can Offer

• Contract period: Fixed term one year, renewable based on funding, performance and need for the position
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions
• The role is not accompanied
• Duty station: Damascus, Syria
• Travel : up to 30% to areas of operation in Syria