Finance Specialist

Finance & Economy

Overview

Provide specialized financial knowledge and support to consortium projects

You have:

• At least three year’s work experience in field of financial management/accounting/book keeping in an NGO or the UN sector.
• University degree in Finance/Accounting/Commerce/Business Administration.
• Proven experience in working with consortia led projects and managing large budgets.
• Proven experience in working with INGOs/National partners, local/government authorities.
• Hands-on experience/skills in MS Excel (experience in working with formulas).
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages added advantage.

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly self-driven Finance Specialist to provide specialized knowledge and operational know-how on financial matters, and acts as “Technical focal person” to finance and program staffs in the consortium management unit. In addition, he/she will support the preparation and consolidation of consortium partners’ Budgets, serve as a financial analyst for all consortium led projects and production of donor financial reports. This role will work under the line management responsibility of Chief of Party who Heads the Consortium Management Unit (CMU). Technically the Finance Specialist will be under the supervision of DRC Finance Manager based in Khartoum with frequent travels to the project operational areas to work with partner finance teams to streamline financial related work/issues. Works within the financial procedures of DRC, and in compliance with donor regulations all national acts and legislation in Sudan.

Responsibilities:

Accounting / Finance

• Acting as finance focal point for all Consortium led projects where DRC is the grant holder when required.
• Ensure that the annual project closure is done properly and no costs are left unreported to donor.
• Review fund Transfer requests from consortium partners before submission through DRC Dynamics for HQ approval.

• Monitor the liquidity levels of all consortium partners and ensure that the cash requests are done on time.

• Review Monthly Resource Scheduling from consortium partners as per the Finance Calendar.

• Coordinate with the finance focal point staff form consortium partners to ensure adequate liquidity request and compiled and forwarded to Chief of Party.
• In close cooperation with Finance Managers/Focal points person from consortium partners, reinforce existing procedures and systems for prudent financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, internal guidelines and donor requirements
• Liaise with relevant Finance focal point persons/Managers on key financial issues for all consortium led projects in the country, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances and any remedial actions Consolidating cash forecasts from all consortium partners and forwarding requesting funds in a timely manner to Finance Manager and Chief of Party

Budget management and Reporting

• Leading the forecast preparation process to ensure that Consortium partners submit a more reliable and realistic forecast that can be achieved.
• Support develop annual budgets for consortium management unit (Master budget) and ensure all data is accurate.
• Quarterly budget reviews/follow up & monitor actual spending, ensure postings are done correctly, over spending’s are rebooked on monthly/quarterly basis and advice Chief of Party /Consortium Program team accordingly.
• Review donor budgets from consortium partners & support Program and Finance teams on the same.
• Prepare Budget monitoring Status report to be submitted to the Chief of party and Finance Manager within seven working days from receipt of BFU/Quarterly finance reports from consortium partners.
• Support the Consortium partner’s Finance Managers in budget re-alignment
• Support timely delivery of quality financial reports to donors and internal reports to Chief of party and Consortium Steering Committee.
• Preparation of Interim/final donor reporting.
• Others
• Minimize financial risks by ensuring that DRC/DDG financial policies and procedures as set in Operations Handbook and any other CO/RO/HQ instructions are strictly adhered to through predefined effective internal control system.
• Check on the completeness, accuracy and validity of information regarding payment documents during partner field support visits.
• Support in the implementation of recommendations raised through internal & external audits, compliance audits etc.,
• Support to Review and monitor partners’ financial reporting /capacity building, provide additional technical assistance to partners as necessary to maintain high standards of compliance.
• Participate in conducting trainings for partner staff in the field offices and develop their technical skills by ensuring all processes related to donor guidelines and governmental requirements are adhered to.
• Focal point for conducting financial due diligence of potential Consortia members in any upcoming consortium project.
• Support DRC Finance Manager in internal and external audit processes by ensuring all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with area staff and country.
• Local Tax management
• Coordinate with Finance focal point person form consortium partners, HR/Admin staff and/or with NGO Liaison bodies to obtain relevant local tax laws/requirements and ensure DRC/DDG is in compliance with same. This includes obtaining tax exemptions (i.e. Value Added Tax [VAT]) letters on yearly basis.
• Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies and statutory returns.
• Coordinate with HR and Admin department to ensure all taxes related to CMU staff salaries are paid on timely manner to the relevant government departments/bodies. This included taxes for Expatriate salaries, where applicable.
• Support the Finance focal point persons of consortium partners to coordinate with the Supply Chain department to ensure the relevant taxes (if applicable) are indicated in all supplier documentation and paid to the relevant departments on timely manner.
• NB: The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

• Experience and technical competencies:

  At least three year’s work experience in field of financial management/accounting/book keeping in an NGO or the UN sector.

• University degree in Finance/Accounting/Commerce/Business Administration
• Proven experience in working with consortia led projects and managing large budgets
• Proven experience in working with INGOs/ National partners, local/government authorities
• Hands-on experience/skills in MS Excel (experience in working with formulas).
• Working experience in preparation of Donor reporting for Danida/SIDA/USAID/EU/UN guidelines will be an advantage.
• Desirable:
• Ability to prepare basic training modules on accounting management and conduct on the job trainings.
• Ability to prepare donor budgets for consortia led projects will be an advantage.
• DRC experience in finance system is preferred.

• Education:

  University degree in Finance/Accounting/Commerce/Business Administration

• Languages:

  Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages added advantage.

• Core Competencies: Striving for excellence, Taking the Lead, Demonstrating Integrity and Communicating
• Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: drc.ngo