Deputy Director Finance - Tunis (Tunisian National)

We respond to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, we offer life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 30 countries and in 25 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. We lead the way from harm to home.

SCOPE OF WORK

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will provide 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. You 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. You will be responsible for the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting management of the 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.

You will be responsible for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Senior Management team, Regional staff as well as contributing to IRCs financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.

Based in Tunis, you will have dual reporting to the Country Director and the Regional Controller, including straight line accountability to the CFO.

Key areas of accountability

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 senior management team

·Contributes to the development of the Program's 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

·Coordinates 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 or government audits

·Coordinates the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) and ensures internal control policies and procedures

·Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and follows tax and other legal requirements

·Is the 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; ensures staff job descriptions are current; recruits and nurtures qualified staff to perform finance functions; provides feedback and recognition for staff

·Ensures comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed annually; career planning and development plans are in place for all finance staff

·Develops and implements 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, reporting and internal control

Treasury

·Supervises all country program bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates

·Coordinates the review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations

·Designs, implements, and monitors systems, procedures and reporting necessary to maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including dedications.

·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 program managers

• You have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance required; recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a Master’s degree in Accounting preferred
• You have extensive experience working in development or humanitarian response, including at least five years of experience living and working in the relevant field in developing and transitioning countries
• You have at least five years of managerial experience in finance
• You have extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs (SUN System and Vision)
• You have good written and verbal skills in the English language
• You are comfortable in being a proactive member of the senior management team, and have a proven track-record of actively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions
• You are able to function effectively in a complex work environment, setting appropriate priorities and balance opposing priorities and pressure
• You are able to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support
• You have excellent interpersonal communication skills and professional patience, able to interact, partner and thrive in a diverse environment.
• You care about your team, and are committed to staff training and development and effective at facilitation

Work environment/key relationships

The position works primarily in an office setting but may travel to remote sites. Key working relationships include: Country Director and Country Management Colleagues, Local and HQ Finance teams.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.