Finance and Grants Manager (Internationally Recruited)

THE POSITION

The Finance and Grants Manager will be responsible for overseeing the financial and grants management functions for IDLO’s programs involving an annual estimated expenditure of Euro 35 million implemented in 17 Country Offices. S/he will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders including a range of IDLO donors.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Finance and Grants Manager will provide financial oversight and support to IDLO Country offices. The incumbent shall work closely with Country office finance staff and oversee a team of Regional Program Accountants in implementing financial oversight and compliance to IDLO rules and regs and donor policies and procedures within her/his areas of responsibility.

Under the supervision of the Head of Finance, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Effective and accurate financial management and oversight:

• Lead the consolidated month-end close process for all IDLO Country Offices using NAVISION, ensuring all relevant accounts are reviewed and reconciled monthly;
• Monitor the performance of Country Offices overall accounting and financial management, identify weaknesses and advise corrective actions;
• Lead in improving finance and accounting related processes and in implementing actions recommended by management and auditors;
• Consolidate and analyse financial information, preparing monthly reports on program implementation, providing comments on project performance vs. forecast and highlighting possible risks;
• Develop/Implement effective procedures for liquidity and cashflow management; timely review of cash position for program accounts to ensure that sufficient funds are available for programs implementation.

2. Implementation of financial management policies and procedures:

• Ensure compliance of IDLO’s financial policies and procedures and various donor rules and regulations;
• Supervisor the Regional Program Accountants in the monitoring of monthly financial transactions from the country office, ensuring that internal controls are working;
• Ensure that any anomalies or matters arising are investigated and resolved conclusively. Inform the supervisor of any material findings arising out of the monthly review;
• Provide support to country office in the implementation of IDLO policies and procedures and in taking corrective action on any areas of weakness identified.

3. Grant and Implementing Partners management:

• Review new Grant Agreements against IDLO’s financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance;
• Review and clear all donor financial reports ensuring compliance with reporting requirements before approval;
• Review and approve financial amendments to Grant Agreements and budget realignments for projects’ implementation;
• Participate in the pre-assessment process of selecting new implementing partners;
• Review implementing partner contracts, providing advice on reporting requirements, payment schedules, audit requirements and currency management, among others, ensuring compliance with IDLO policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations;
• In coordination with the Program Accountants, ensure that implementing partner advances are accounted for as per the reporting schedule.

4. Facilitation of capacity/knowledge building and coaching of team members:

• Support the Program teams in the set-up phase for new offices including but not limited to advising on the finance staff structure, design the accounting software set-up and identifying the cash transfer / banking arrangements;
• Review Finance operations manuals providing recommendations to ensure adequate internal control;
• Coach HQ and Country Offices finance staff providing necessary technical guidance on accounting issues;
• Guide team members on IDLO financial policies and procedures, including the optimum use of the NAVISION ERP system.

5. Audit management:

• Act as the focal point for program audit activities and liaise with internal/external auditors by providing the technical input and support as required;
• Undertake regular field visits for monitoring and compliance checks; follow up on audit recommendations ensuring corrective actions are implemented based on possible audit findings.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Education

• Minimum of a university degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics and/or Business Administration;
• Fully qualified accountant e.g. ACCA, CPA or CIMA is highly desirable. 

Experience

• Minimum of 08 (eight) years of progressively responsible professional experience in providing grant financial management services and managing staff is required;
• Knowledge and experience of managing donor funded projects;
• Experience in IPSAS is an added advantage;
• Progressive experience ideally within an intergovernmental or international non-governmental organization;
• Hands on experience in improving the effectiveness of finance functions and processes;
• Experience supervising staff and developing the capability of team members.

Language

• Fluent in oral and writing skills in English is required;
• Working knowledge of other languages e.g. Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian will be an advantage. 

Specific knowledge, skills and competencies

• Working knowledge on the use of MS NAVISION ERP;
• Working experience of using MS NAVISION and MS Office applications;
• Fully proficient, skilled and advanced knowledge in the use of spreadsheets (MS Excel);
• Strong client service ethics; solid team-oriented interpersonal skills, including facilitation;
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;
• High degree of accuracy to ensure the correctness of financial information;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work against tight deadlines;
• Good communication skills and ability to explain accounting and financial matters to non-financial staff; ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of people including senior managers on complex issues;
• Ability and willingness to travel to field offices including unstable contexts. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

For this internationally recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Fixed Term contract initially for 36 months, with the possibility of extension, subject to performance and availability of funding.

IDLO shall offer the suitable candidate an annual salary in of EUR 64,000, a leave and benefit package, including medical, mission insurance, and provident fund, in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules.

Relocation support is available for internationally recruited employees. The remuneration is net of income tax for those without Italian nationality or permanent residence.

Please ensure that ONLY CV and Cover letter are attached and kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.