Organisational Context
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a global ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. Founded in November 1980, JRS is now present in more than 50 countries. Its operations are currently structured across three levels: locally through project and country offices, regionally through regional offices, and globally with the support, coordination and guidance of the International Office.
In response to a rapidly changing humanitarian context and significantly reduced funding, JRS is reshaping how to operate in a new and less favourable environment for migration and international solidarity.
Local operations, organised in functional and sustainable Country Offices, remain at the heart of JRS’s work. They ensure needs-based interventions and accompaniment rooted in close engagement with forcibly displaced migrants and refugees.
At global level, support is organised through global functions that bring together the essential processes, systems and expertise needed for JRS to operate effectively as one organisation. These include resource mobilisation, sound operations, and mission-driven programmatic support. They will be delivered through a Virtual Global Office (VGO), in which staff based in different locations work as part of globally coordinated teams with shared priorities, clear mandates and common operational focus.
The VGO is structured around five global functions: Global Management of Operations, Global Resource Mobilisation, Global Mission-Oriented Transformation, Global Strategic Leadership, and Global Management Support.
Global Function Area
The objective of the Global Management of Operations (GMO) function is to ensure that JRS operations remain effective, aligned with JRS Mission and Global Strategic Framework, and accountable to the JRS governance bodies. GMO supports the development of country office operational plans and budgets, consolidates and analyses them at global level, and helps identify and address risks and opportunities across operational, financial, legal, safeguarding, reputational, and other relevant areas. It also contributes to operational improvement, organisational development, and capacity strengthening initiatives across the organisation.
In cases of management emergency, GMO may intervene directly in operations, to support risk mitigation, and the return to standard management arrangements. It is a multifunctional area, that draws on expertise of staff from a range of backgrounds: programs, operations, finance, human resources, security, IT and organisational development.
Role Description
The Finance & Risk Management Officer supports the integrity, consistency, and continuous improvement of financial and operational practices across JRS operations. The role focuses on strengthening systems, processes, and capacities in procurement, financial management, and grants management, ensuring that organisational standards are effectively applied in diverse contexts, with special emphasis on the use of the ERP system to ensure compliance and reliability.
The position combines operational assessment, follow-up on priority actions, capacity strengthening or internal review missions, and support to organisation-wide improvement initiatives, with priorities set through the operations management cycle and leadership direction. Frequent travels to other JRS Offices are expected.
The Finance Officer reports to the Global Lead for Management of Operations - Finance & Risk Management or a delegated person within the Global Management of Operations process.
Key Responsibilities
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Strengthening Operational and Financial Standards
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Assess the effectiveness of the internal control environment and related processes at Country level and support the implementation of organisational standards in procurement, financial management, and grants management
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Review contextualised policies and procedures to ensure alignment with global frameworks and relevant international standards
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Evaluate how procedures are implemented – including through the use of Business Central and the Information Management System (IMS) – and contribute to the continuous improvement of policies, systems, and workflows based on field insights and operational feedback
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In coordination with other VGO Finance Staff, validate the quality, consistency and traceability of financial data and workflows within the system, as a basis for reliable financial information
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Provide actionable recommendations, focused on strengthening practices, acting on priority actions and mitigating key risks
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Conduct periodic field missions to country offices based on identified priorities, risks, and organisational or capacity needs
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Promote a culture of accountability, sound financial management, and risk awareness within country teams
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Risk Mitigation Follow-up
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Supports country and regional teams in addressing gaps and recommendations identified by Leadership as part of the Operations Management Cycle, in collaboration with other functions involved (Programmes, HR, IT, Security)
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Monitor follow-up of priority actions from internal management reviews and audits, promoting timely and realistic implementation
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Identify recurring challenges and systemic issues to inform organisational improvements and prioritisation
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Continuous Improvement
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Work closely with the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) function to ensure that financial and operational data used for analysis and forecasting is reliable and grounded in sound practices
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Collaborate with the Finance Officer (Systems & Accounting) to reinforce the integration of internal controls within accounting processes and systems
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Play an active role in the initial transition to the new financial system (Dynamics Business Central), including data cleaning, validation, and migration, working closely with relevant functions to ensure accuracy, consistency, and usability of financial data
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Strengthen the capacity of finance staff and Country Directors in understanding and applying risk management approaches, promoting Business Central and the IMS as core tools for internal control.
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Flexibility & Organisational Support
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Adapt focus and activities in line with evolving risks, priorities, and annual workplans
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Deploy support and conduct reviews in priority contexts as identified through the operations management cycle and leadership direction
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Contribute to ad hoc reviews, support missions, or organisational initiatives as required
The Finance Officer is expected to maintain a high degree of flexibility, contributing to priority initiatives and addressing possible temporary organisational needs.
Qualifications and experience
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A University degree in accounting, finance, business and administration, project management or related areas.
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At least three (3) years of professional experience working in an accounting or finance-related role.
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Experience in a similar capacity with international, non-profit organizations.
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Knowledge of financial and grants management, including procurement, cash management, accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, donor compliance.
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Field-based experience is considered an asset
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Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Navision or Business Central is highly desirable.
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Excellent command of Excel and other database applications
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, highly recommended Spanish.
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Professional working knowledge of French would be considered as an asset.
Travel
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Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments.
Core values and ethics
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Good understanding of and alignment with the values of JRS
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Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity
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High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people and information
Terms and Conditions
Please note that this position is only open to candidates who possess EU citizenship or other legal authorization to work in the European Union.
Successful candidates will be offered a regular Italian contract. The gross annual salary for this position starts at EUR ,35,000 , and will be adjusted commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Workplace: Rome
How to apply
All applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
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A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including two (2) professional references with contact information, phone and email address.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in joining JRS
JRS International Office is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We believe that diversity enriches our organization and strengthens our ability to serve refugees worldwide. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in the humanitarian sector, to apply. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all staff members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our mission of accompanying and serving refugees with compassion and solidarity.