Requisition ID: req8403
Job Title: Deputy Director - Finance
Sector: Finance
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Job Description
BACKGROUND:
The
International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s humanitarian
crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in
1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and
life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or
disaster. At work today in more than 30 countries and in 25 U.S. cities,
IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by
conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.
CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND:
This
role will work in Tanzania, responsible for the oversight of strategic
and operational finance matters. The IRC has been present in Tanzania
for over twenty five years working with refugees and Tanzanian
communities. Our work spans health, education and protection, with
refugees and the Tanzanian population.
With
the support of over two hundred staff and over 2,000 volunteers, IRC
has an ambitious strategy to achieve great impact through the work we
do. Working with a range of partners we’re aiming for sustainable,
durable solutions across all sectors of our work.
We have a positive, capable and supportive team, committed to working together to achieve the best possible results.
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SCOPE OF WORK:
The
Deputy Director Finance is responsible for leading on all financial
matters in the country programme. As a key member of the Country Program
Senior Management Team, the role provides financial leadership and
management necessary to ensure that the country program has the
appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the
strategic vision and mission of the organization.
S/he
will contribute to the development of the country programs strategic
and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring
delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive
financial analytical review. The Deputy Director Finance is responsible
for the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting
management of the Country Program. Emphasis will be placed on financial
management policies, practices and systems that are compliant with local
laws and US as well as adhering to donor requirements but are also
conducive to effective implementation of country programs.
As
Deputy Director Finance, s/he will have responsibility for all aspects
of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as
the principal finance business partner to the Senior Management team and
Country Director, Regional staff as well as conforming to IRCs
financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.
Based in Dar es Salaam,
the Deputy Director Finance will have dual reporting to the Country
Director and the Regional Controller, including straight line
accountability to the Global Chief Finance Officer.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Strategic Planning & Analysis
- Provides financial information which supports the Country Director and SMT in making business decisions in line with IRC, Regional & Country Program strategies
- Provides strategic analysis on the overall financial health of the country program to the CD and SMT
- Contributes and provides feedback to the development of Country Programs Strategic Annual Plan
- Ensures that all in-country practices are in compliance with IRC and donor policies and procedures
- Establishes in-country finance procedures to supplement global policies as needed
- Closely monitors financial activities and advises the Country Director on financial performance of the office, issues with internal controls or financial management
- Ensures monthly balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a timely basis
- Manages the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by headquarters and donors
- Identifies requirements for and develops reporting formats to aid in the management of country operations and grant expenditures
- Directs the preparation of and approves all donor financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Country Director and Regional Controller prior to submission
- Ensures in-country internal control reviews of operations are regularly undertaken.
- Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits
- Oversees the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) through the enforcement of internal control policies and procedures
- Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and complies with tax and other legal requirements
- Is the principal liaison with IRC HQ on all finance, accounting, grant budget management, and cash management
Training & Staff Management
- Establishes a finance department roles and responsibilities matrix; staff job descriptions are current; recruits and maintains qualified staff to perform finance functions
- Ensures comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed annually; career planning and development plans are in place for all finance staff
- Develops and implements a training program for the country’s finance staff
- Oversees finance training and technical support to non-finance staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control
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- Supervises all country program bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates
- Oversees the review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations
- Maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments which obligate IRC to future spending
- Ensures that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation and cash held in headquarters in drawn regularly
- Ensures the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses
- Supervises the collection of contractual and other receivables
- Oversees the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets and finance reports; supports programs with guidance on costing and inputs in creating budgets for submission
- Prepares and maintains the country’s annual operating budget; ensures cost coverage for in-country operating costs and updates the operating budget regularly
- Presents and facilitates the review of actual to budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers
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- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance required; recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a Master’s degree in Accounting preferred
- Extensive experience working in development or humanitarian response, including at least five years of experience living and working in the relevant field in developing and transitioning countries
- Minimum of five years of managerial experience in finance
- Requires extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs (SUN System and Vision)
- Good written and verbal skills in the English language
- Must be comfortable in being a proactive member of the senior management team. Must have a proven track-record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions
- Must be able to function effectively in a complex work environment, setting appropriate priorities and manage competing priorities and pressure
- Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support
- Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills and professional patience and be able to interact, partner and thrive in a diverse environment
- Committed to staff training and development and effective at facilitation
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The position works primarily in an office setting but will regularly be required to travel to field locations and occasional to overseas events
Key working relationships include: Country Director and Country Management Colleagues, Local and HQ Finance teams.
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, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
