Finance Delegate - OPT - Recruiting on Rolling Basis

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a 191-member National Societies (NSs) network. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during, and after disasters, health emergencies, and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The IFRC's work is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

Its Secretary General leads IFRC and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters is organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy, and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy, and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster, and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The NSs of the Middle East and North Africa region are striving to advance the shared agenda of serving humanity in the common mission of improving the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable people. Fundamentally, the mission focuses on alleviating human suffering often caused by disasters, diseases, and other factors that increase exposure to risks in various ways.

Job Purpose

The Finance Delegate is responsible for providing accounting services, ensuring sound internal control, financial reporting, training, and providing advice and support to relevant stakeholders within a comprehensive financial management structure related to the ECHO funded Humanitarian Implementation Plans (HIP) Project/operations.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator (ECHO HIP) and with a technical reporting line to the Regional Finance and Administration Unit and in close cooperation with the NSs, the Finance Delegate will oversee project budgeting and financial planning, financial management and monitoring of income and expenditure for the ECHO funded HIP Project 2024 being implemented in Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and Egypt.

In addition to the accounting services, the post holder will provide general support and advice to the two implementing NSs on all program-related financial issues, from budgeting to the final evaluation, and will ensure efficient financial management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Risk Management and Internal Controls

• Ensure that a rigorous internal financial control environment is maintained for the project.
• Ensure that all spending is within the approved project ceiling and that no cases of expenses above budget occur at the project/account group level. Ensure that all spending is valid and complies with the IFRC policies and procedures and reject any payment requests or working advance clearances for non-compliant expenses.
• Ensure MoUs and project agreements are in place for all NS advances, follow up on dormant balances, and ensure the flow of expenditure clearance from delegates’ working advances.
• Support the implementation of finance policies, processes, and procedures.
• Support the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
• Ensure that a financial risk assessment is conducted for project proposals.

Financial Management and Controllership

• Manage the funds and financial assets of the project under the overall direction of the Project Coordinator, Head of Country Delegation Palestine, IFRC Country Office Egypt, and the Regional Head, Finance and Administration. This will include cost control management and management of all project related payments.
• Manage the monthly financial cycle within the deadlines without significant error and maintain the accuracy of the numbers, resulting in satisfactory audit reports and positive evaluations of the financial aspects of the operations.
• Record and report separately on Project financial commitments (external MoUs, pipeline purchase orders, etc.) and be fully aware of possible commitments and planned ventures.
• Ensure that all donor reporting requirements (financial) are met within the deadlines and that the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the reports are maintained. Eliminate any dormant projects.
• Act as Finance Controller to safeguard the Federation’s legal obligations and commitments and make logical and financially sound decisions. Track donor balances and ensure appropriate expense coding.
• Coordinate the preparation of operating and project budgets.
• Provide advice to managers on budgetary matters.
• Manage the day-to-day processing of transactions in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform the month-end financial close process, if needed.
• Provide expertise and advice to project management on an ad hoc as the required basis on financial management matters pertaining to the operations.
• Monitor financial key performance financial indicators monthly and provide advice and/or instruction to managers on how to improve.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare financial reports for project management purposes.
• Prepare donor financial reports on an ad hoc, as required basis; and,
• Support project and year-end audits.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Treasury Management

• Effectively manage the funds available for the project and operations consistent with organizational policies and with a view to minimizing risk of loss.
• Prepare accurate and timely cash requests.
• Ensure timely reporting and invoicing; and

Communications

• Represent the IFRC on an ad hoc as required basis at meetings with members and donors; and,
• Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with internal and external stakeholders regarding relevant finance and matters.

Training and Team Management

• Liaise closely with the HIP Project Coordinator, HoD and Technical Manager, keeping him/her updated on all significant financial issues pertaining to project operation and seeking advice/input/instruction as required.
• Be proactive and customer-focused in the work, resolve issues and suggest solutions, drive the processes forward, seek assistance from the appropriate sources, and encourage the finance function to be seen as an integral part of Operations Management.
• Provide/coordinate training on financial matters for various stakeholders as requested/required; and,
• Recruit, train, and supervise finance staff to ensure tasks and functions are completed promptly and efficiently, within acceptable levels of quality and cost.

National Society Development

• Supporting, as necessary, member National Society development in matters of expertise (i.e., records keeping, accounting, financial reporting, and financial management).

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that the line manager may assign.

Education

• Relevant university degree or extensive professional qualification/experience in finance, accounting, or auditing - Required.
• Be part of the IFRC Finance and Administration Talent Pool - Required.
• Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge - Preferred.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience working in a finance or accounting role, with minimum 3 years in an international setting - Required.
• Experience in managing and supporting staff - Preferred.
• Experience in supporting an RC/RC society on finance management and computerized financial systems - Preferred.
• Extensive experience of budget preparations, cash-flow statements, and financial plans - Required.
• Extensive experience in writing narrative and financial reports - Required.
• Extensive experience in commercial and contractual systems - Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Highly developed analytical skills and solution-oriented mindset - Required.
• Excellent communication skills and good writing skills (i.e. able to write reports, policy, procedures, guidelines, etc.) - Required.
• Advanced digital skills (Microsoft Office Suite, accounting packages, internet, web conferencing, collaborative platforms, etc.) - Required.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, excellent time management skills - Required.
• Knowledge and experience of Business Objects, Units4 Financials and Fed Budget - Preferred.
• Experience with and ability to use manual accounting systems - Required.
• Strong skills in training and developing staff - Required.
• Experience with the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement - Preferred.
• Able to present financial information clearly, orally and in writing - Required.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment as well as to communicate in such environment - Required.
• Fluent in spoken and written English - Required.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, or Arabic) - Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.