Finance Specialist - Consortium

Contract

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

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions. With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the job

The Finance Specialist is dedicated to the MADAD LINKED Consortium, a Consortium funded by the EUTF (MADAD) and implemented by 4 NGOs (DRC, Mercy Corps, OXFAM and Al Majmoua) with the objective to contribute to sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic development in Lebanon. The Consortium implements two grants, with a total amount of 19 Millions EUR. He/she is sought by DRC, the Consortium Lead, to join a Consortium Management Unit (CMU) which ensures that the core functions of the programme are carried out in a timely and effective manner. This position requires a high level of financial planning, compliance, budgeting management, partnership management and strong coordination and communication skills to support the partners and ensure effective and efficient financial management for the consortia and partnerships. Your main duties and responsibilities will include:

Compliance

• Provide Compliance oversight for the consortium, ensuring awareness and adherence of EU regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/ grant compliance (with updates to guidance to partners as needed)
• Review partner procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents for compliance requirements, including anti-fraud and diversion, and ensure these requirements are met
• Support Due Diligence processes for partners within consortia
• Support development and maintenance of consortia risk register(s)
• Provide compliance guidance and tools and consultations to partners on a demand-driven basis
• Support development of solutions with partners that are compliant, yet facilitate the achievement of the partnership strategy
• Refine, develop and improve operational approaches, compliance and systems to build and deliver the most effective and sustainable interventions.
• Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance-related reports
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of compliance-related partnership information requests to the donor, DRC HQ and/or other key stakeholders
• Issue and follow up on all CMU procurement requests.

Sub-Grant Management

• Support Grants teams to ensure sub-grant agreements are issued, managed and monitored in accordance with sub-grant regulations
• In partnership with Grants team members, ensure programming complies with DRC procedures on sub-grant management, including ensuring all relevant information is updated in DRC financial system
• Support follow-up on all sub-grant compliance issues, audits and document resolutions
• Ensure compliance with all partner audit requirements, including the provision of support to partners during preparation and the conduct of the audit and follow-up as necessary
• Support Grants team to review partnership financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the sub-grant agreement have been met and that sub-grant funds have been properly settled

Financial Management

• Provide Financial Management of the consortia and partnerships to ensure strong budget management among the partners and compile and deliver financial reports on consortia financial situation
• Lead EU Madad audit process & pre- expenditure verification
• Review and process partner payment requests and financial reports, perform verifications, support with issues based on financial review, sign-off on final versions, and ensure reports are submitted to HQ on time
• Update monthly top-line and quarterly financial tracking tools for the Consortium Management Unit and provide support for the Grant Management meeting, at Consortium and DRC levels
• Effective support for financial implementation of the projects and support given to (consortia) partners, including DRC (when needed), to provide assistance and communicate any added value information to internal chains
• Field visits and verifications in coordination with partners’ financial focal points
• Support the CMU in the Consortium Technical Working Group meetings composed of focal points from each organization (Economic Recovery, MEAL, Finance, Communication, Advocacy, Heads of Programmes etc. depending on priorities) to provide technical support and guidance to consortium organizations in the timely and quality implementation of the programme.
• Prepare and review budget for amendments and/or new programming in close coordination with partners, Consortium Management Unit team and DRC Finance

Other tasks:

• Support the CMU with some activity’s implementation follow-up – with linkages to the CMU budget and finance
• Assist the CMU in preparing and attending workshops
• Assist the CMU with any other tasks according to the employee’s capacity and CMU needs

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting or Business Administration. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• At least 3 years of experience in finance management roles, including accounting, internal/external audit,
• Experience working for a leading INGO, with in depth knowledge of donor requirements, especially ECHO, EC, DFID, DANIDA, OFDA, BPRM, UNHCR and UNICEF
• Experience working with Consortium’s and partnerships (preferable)
• Demonstrable strategic thinking and leadership ability
• Experience with financial and grant management systems
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking ability
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels
• Proven ability to lead and work effectively with others to achieve results
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics (preferable)
• Flexible approach to manage and prioritize a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines
• Confident & proficient in the use of MS Office, and advanced Excel proficiency.

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 1 year

Band/Level: G

Duty Station: Beirut

Start date: May 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. A****pplications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: April 20, 2022

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo