Country Finance Controller - DRC

About the role: This is a 24 month, replacement role with unaccompanied terms based in Kinshasa or Goma with frequent travel, with a salary of €40,403 to €44,892 and benefits.

You will report to the Country Director (CD) and will line manage the Assistant Country Financial Controller and have overall responsibility for the Finance team. You will work closely with the Shared Services Accountant in Dublin, the Programmes Director (PD), Systems Director (SD) and WASH Consortium Grant Compliance Manager.

We would like you to start on 1^st April 2018.

Your purpose: The Country Financial Controller (CFC) is responsible for managing all aspects of the finance function of the Concern Worldwide DRC country programme so that we achieve our objectives in line with Concern Worldwide’s policies, procedures and standards.

You will be responsible for:

Financial Control

• Maintain an effective & efficient system of internal controls which comply with Concern Worldwide’s financial guidelines.

• Review existing systems on an on-going basis in order to develop and improve internal controls, in compliance with Concern’s policies and procedures.

• Ensure that all financial records & accounts are compiled timely, accurately and in line with international accounting standards & donor regulations.

• Ensure that the country financial operations comply with legal & statutory requirements e.g. audit & financial reporting to all relevant national authorities.

• Ensure that country management prepares the annual & revised country budget and donor budgets, as accurately as possible.

• Keep up to date with donor regulations and ensure that all controls are in place to meet donor compliance.

Financial Reporting

• Manage timely & accurate preparation of data for monthly management accounts for Shared Service Accountant, budget-holders, and Country Management to ensure that they can monitor the budget utilization and take appropriate action on any significant variances

• Review and completion of the financial reporting pack prepared by Shared Services Accountant including country commentary and country management team (CMT) approval and dealing with feedback from head office jointly with Shared Services Accountant.

• Support the timely & accurate preparation of donor reports for external donors / agencies.

• Reconcile all balance sheet items on a monthly basis, in accordance with Concern Worldwide policies & procedures based on transactions details provided by Shared Service Accountant.

• Provide financial analysis where necessary especially on maximizing available funds and advice to CD.

Financial System

• Ensure that country financial management systems & records are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets & interest of the organization.

• Ensure that the systems and procedures in place, enhance, as far as possible, the efficiency & effectiveness of the manner in which assets are utilized.

• Establish & maintain a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding & to ensure efficient & accurate reporting to donors.

• Ensure adequate controls over cash & bank management are constantly monitored & updated to minimize the risk of fraud or misappropriation.

• Undertake regular field visits in order to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements as needed.

• Closely monitor all financial activities, and keep the CD/Senior Management Team advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.

• Undertake financial assessments & evaluation of partners, in line with Concern’s standard financial procedures.

• Participate in the review, monitoring and capacity building of partners.

• Ensure that partner finance reports are thoroughly reviewed in coordination with the respective Programme staff.

• Manage the financial aspects of Concern’s role as Lead Consortium Partner delivering a multi-year, multi-partner project, in line with donor requirements and Concern’s policies & procedures.

Staff Management & Capacity Building

• Develop the capacity of the local finance team especially in Kinshasa, Goma and Kalemie to ensure that a good standard of financial management is maintained.

• Undertake specific training, capacity building and other relevant initiatives to ensure national staff preform their roles and responsibilities with accuracy & professionalism and also create the space for national staff to develop into credible candidates to fill vacant positions in the finance team and to provide strong cover for leave.

• Undertake financial training of budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls & making decisions based on financial reports.

Other financial duties

• Facilitate internal, external & donor audits.

• Ensure that all statutory deductions & taxes are complied with & to liaise with relevant authorities in this respect.

• Assist in the development & implementation of the Country’s Strategic Plan

• Actively participate in the Country Management Team (CMT) meetings and be proactively involved in the decision making processes.

• Any other finance-related assignments.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

• Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA,CIMA)

• 3 years post qualification experience in a similar international organization

• Experience in developing staff technical and management capacity

• Experience managing large and multi donor (especially USAID, ECHO, DFID, Irish Aid etc) programme budgets

• Must be fully fluent in either French or English with a good level of the other. Swahili is useful but not essential.

Desirable:

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Knowledge of development issues and concepts.

• Experience of working/living in an insecure and harsh environment

• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines

• Good team worker

• Good Communication and negotiation skills

• Knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, communications systems.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation

• Good communication and training / capacity building skills

• Proven organisation, planning and management skills

• Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams

• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment

• Strong interpersonal and team work skills

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.