Emergency Response Finance Officer - Ukraine Response (f/m)

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organization, we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health, and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 135 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families, and caregivers each year.

Following the war in Ukraine and the immense humanitarian needs resulting from it, we are looking for an experienced and committed Emergency Response Finance Officer

Location: Austria

Type of assignment: Employment

Duration: 12 months

International/Regional Office/Country: Regional Office, Vienna

Mission:

The ER Finance Officer reports to the ER Manager and supports the financial management of the project so that ER operations in Ukraine and neighboring member associations are adequately and timely resourced and financial compliance secured.

The Finance Officer collaborates closely with the finance staff of the Emergency Response teams in the Member Associations and ensures alignment in financial planning, liquidity management, recording, and financial reporting along with defined frameworks and procedures of the whole financial cycle.

He/she maintains the financial overview, coordinates finance relevant information with multiple stakeholders in the International and Regional Office, and regularly reports to the ER Project Manager.

The position ultimately contributes to a smooth and effective implementation of the whole Emergency Response.

Main clients and contacts:

• Emergency Response Manager
• Staff working in Emergency Response in Member Associations (Finance Heads, Accountants, Project Staff, National Directors)
• The staff of the Global Emergency Response Team (GER) of the International Office
• The staff of the International Office Region (IOR) like Finance & Controlling Advisor, Regional Director Finance & Controlling, and other functional counterparts (HR, IPD, FDC)
• Ukraine Crisis Response Steering Committee
• External auditors, vendors

Key performance areas and main responsibilities: 

Overall support in financial project management

• Set up, maintain, and consolidate a full financial overview over the use of Ukraine Response emergency funds in the region in line with established frames and protocols
• Propose practical improvements of financial procedures if deemed necessary to ER Manager, GER and IOR
• Support the Emergency Response Manager in the implementation and adaptation of the Crisis Response Strategy from the financial side by consolidating financial information and reporting timely and regularly
• Coordinate closely with Emergency Response Manager / GER / IOR to make sure that the organizational project structure has sufficient resources,  and conduct regular financial reviews in line with the approved budget
• Support a smooth and timely flow of international transfers to Member Associations, maintain an overview in close cooperation with IOR  and GER
• Monitor and alert about risks of blocked bank transfer channels and work on risk mitigation measures in close alignment with concerned actors
• Ensure close link and coordination with IPD teams for compliance with donor requirements
• Contribute to the set-up of Humanitarian Appeal partnership agreements with Member Associations and the project by providing input on requirements for financial reporting, recording, internal control, the auditing process
• Ensure all needed requirements for a successful external financial audit of ER activities are put in place and followed up by all Member Associations
• Conduct monitoring visits to support and monitor financial project operations in Member Associations and provide feedback on areas of improvement
• Report regularly to the IOR Director Finance & Controlling and collaborate in terms of financial risk management
• Collaborate regularly with the IOR Finance and Controlling Advisors of implementing Member Associations, with other regional functions as necessary

Specific financial project management support to Member Associations (MA)

• Build capacity and support finance staff in Member Associations in setting up financial procedures and contingency plans that ensure rapid response in a dynamic emergency context
• Support and advice MAs in setting up project budgets, monitor funds use in compliance with the approved budget, with defined procedures, and with internal and external requirements
• Ensure MAs receive any guidance needed for accounting and that financial reporting is conducted according to established schedules and reporting procedures
• Ensure MAs follow up closely on their liquidity situation and are able to request funds along the new fund's transfer process tailored for this project
• Jointly with the project team and IOR functions ensure that MAs have set up a reasonable level of internal control over interventions with due diligence, reduce risks of funds mismanagement in neuralgic areas of crisis interventions
• Provide guidance and link up MAs and IOR finance staff to technical expertise in Cash and Voucher Assistance in Emergency Response, work closely with related actors, in particular with regional ER Advisor
• Contribute to a monitoring and evaluation framework as needed
• Support in training and capacity building, produce material for management information

Requirements:

• A BA/S or equivalent in finance, accounting or related fields required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressive financial management experience, including supervisory experience, grants management as well as a strong understanding of institutional donor regulations required.
• At least 3 years’ international experience required; international NGO field office in an Emergency project is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of international humanitarian standards (CHS)
• Demonstrated experience and skills with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Sound accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables, and balance sheet
• Knowledge and experience in Cash and Voucher Assistance in emergency projects an asset
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel, experience with Microsoft Dynamics an asset
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking and self-steered, organizational and prioritization skills
• Experience in virtual teams collaboration, ability to work under pressure, in a challenging environment and to handle stress
• Politically and culturally sensitive
• High proficiency in English language, Ukrainian, and/or Russian language skills would be an advantage
• The position requires occasional travels
• Applicants must hold a valid Austrian working permit or be eligible to work within the EU

We offer:

• A diverse and international working environment
• Professional development opportunities
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualification