Deputy Director Finance ( National Position)

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection. Through 2018, the IRC’s response strategy will primarily target Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, while meeting the significant needs in both refugee and host populations, as already existing vulnerabilities are compounded with cyclical monsoon and cyclone seasons that impose additional threats to the lives and protection of those refugees as well as vulnerable host populations. IRC is expanding its programming to cover education and livelihoods/DRR, as well as its geographic foot print in the host community and to other parts of the country.

Purpose of the Role

As a member of the Country Program Senior Management Team (SMT), the Deputy Director of Finance 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 of 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 aligned 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 Dhaka, Bangladesh Country Program, the Deputy Director of Finance will have dual reporting to the Country Director and the Regional Controller, including straight line accountability to the CFO.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

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

Controllership:

·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 and/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 stays in sync with tax and other legal requirements

·Maintains 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, budgeting, reporting and internal control

·Cross department collaboration both through championing it by him/herself and encourage other members of finance team

Treasury:

·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

Budget/ Forecast:

·Oversees the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets; 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 Country Management Team (CMT)

Experience

·Extensive experience working in development or humanitarian response with international NGOs and / or UN organizations

·At least 10 years’ of relevant experience with 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)

·Requires to have familiarity and experience of dealing with financial compliances of UN and non UN grants (e.g. ECHO, UK, Canada, US etc.)

·Solid understanding and experience of relevant GoB compliances for INGOs in Bangladesh including but not limited to FD6, FD7, VAT, taxes etc.

Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

·Requires to be comfortable in being a proactive member of the senior management team

·Requires to have a proven track-record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions

·Demonstrated skills and experience of strategic and analytical thinking

·Required to 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

·Requires to 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

·Candidates with international work experience will be highly preferred (IRC has special remuneration package for those Bangladeshi who are currently working abroad and would like to return to their home country)

Language Preference

·Good written and verbal skills in the English and Bangla language

Specific Educational Qualification

·Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/ Business Administration/ Commerce/Finance required

·Master’s degree in Accounting preferred

Professional Degree/ Certification

·Recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA/ ACCA/ ACA preferred

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Are you ready to join the most dynamic team?