Head of IO Finance Unit

JRS-IO Vacancy Announcement

Head of IO Finance Unit

Department:     Finance Department

Location:            Rome, International Office (IO)

Reports to:         Director of Finance and Logistics

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in 1980 and has a presence in 57 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the field of reconciliation, mental health and psychosocial support, education and livelihoods, and advocacy. Currently, more than 1,000,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Operational Context

The Head of IO Finance Unit is responsible for ensuring daily financial operations, reports, controls and procedures of JRS International Office in accordance with JRS policies and procedures and other regulatory requirements. S/he engages in overseeing daily financial operations while strategically evolving the organization’s financial management to improved levels of efficiency, effectiveness and accuracy. Reporting to the International Director of Finance & Logistics, the position is expected to have solid, hands-on knowledge of a wide range of finance responsibilities in the International Office.

Main responsibilities of the position

The incumber will:

Accounting

• Manage the accounting and financial operations of JRS International Office (IO), in collaboration with the IO Accountants, being involved in control systems for transaction-processing as well as ongoing cash management. IO financial operations include transactions for the IO activities and sub-granting to Regional and Country offices for international activities.
• Coordinate the month-end / year-end closing process, including revenue recognition, and related reporting.
• Develop and maintain accounting procedures and controls in accordance with sound accounting principles, JRS Global Financial Policy and the applicable regulations and laws. Propose updates to the Finance and Intercompany procedures on a need basis, in coordination with the relevant IO Accountant.
• Compile and review monthly financial reports such as the Income & Expenses report for IO activities, international activities and investments performance for review with the Director of Finance & Logistics.
• Prepare supporting schedules for general ledger accounts, identifying outstanding items, monitoring their ageing and taking corrective actions as needed in collaboration with the IO Finance team.
• In collaboration with the IO Accountants, monitor the intercompany balances, flagging potential risks to the Director of Finance and relevant Regional Directors.
• Ensure that a filing system for accounting is in place, that documents can be easily accessed and linked to the relevant accounting transaction.

Financial Management

• In collaboration with the Director of Finance & Logistics, review the IO Finance Unit practices and reporting to ensure accuracy, timeliness and completeness, seeking improvement opportunities and providing leadership to guide the team.
• Prepare financial analyses as appropriate to help functional departments and governing bodies to make better use of financial data in decision making.
• Support departments in the preparation of IO grant budgets. Engaging in the periodic budget-vs-actual follow up. Advise on cost allocation.
• Oversee the accounts receivable process, in coordination with the Grants and Fundraising offices. Assist with recording of transactions as required. Maintain updated donor payable / receivable balances, monitoring their ageing and following up on outstanding items regularly.

Treasury & Investments

• Oversee the cash management function in the IO, prepare cash flow reports and analysis as required. Monitor exchange rates and needs for converting funds.
• Ensure bank and cash reconciliations are performed timely, monitor reconciling items and take corrective action as needed.
• In collaboration with the IO Accountants, manage the relationship with banks and other financial institutions.
• Monitor the performance of the current investment portfolio, work with consultants in the identification, development and implementation of investment strategies together with the Director of Finance & Logistics. 
• Monitor the organization’s deferred income and donor receivables ensuring correspondence with funds held in bank accounts.

Audit & Compliance

• In collaboration with the audit firm and the IO Finance team, maintain current working knowledge of accounting standards and other applicable regulations to ensure JRS IO compliance.
• Serve as focal point for detailed interactions with external auditors, with reference to the IO accounts.
• Respond to auditors’ queries on a timely basis. Investigate audit findings and recommendations, and guide the IO Finance Unit in implementing improvements.
• Collaborate with the tax consultant to compile necessary reporting for governmental requirements and tax filings.
• In coordination with the Grants Office, oversee grants accounting, ensure timely and accurate donor reporting as per contract requirements.

Other

• Develop and train IO Finance and non-Finance staff on accounting/finance improvement opportunities, including making recommendations for optimization of the organization’s resources.
• Assist the Director of Finance with other global projects as needed.
• Cooperate with other staff to promote the mission of the organization, providing leadership in strengthening internal communications among staff at all levels and promoting a positive and supportive work environment.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Master level degree or specialization in Accounting and Finance or other relevant areas
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience with increasing responsibilities
• Prior experience in supervising / coordinating a team.
• Advanced skills in Excel and Accounting-specific software.
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Italian payroll rules, International Standards for Audits. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural, international, professional environment
• Strong attention to detail, while not losing sight of the broader picture.
• Ability to work independently, identify, analyze problems and propose solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, coach staff and collaborate in team.
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking, and planning skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office package

Desirable

• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an asset.
• Prior experience with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and/or prior experience with a faith-based organization.

Languages

• Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Italian is mandatory
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish is highly desirable

Required Core Values

• Good understanding of and alignment with the values of JRS;
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity;
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information;
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;

Terms and Conditions

Please note that this position is only open to candidates who possess EU citizenship or other legal authorization to work in the European Union. 

Successful candidates will be offered a regular contract under Italian law.

How to apply

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents before 15 June 2023:

• A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone and email address.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS