Thursday, May 24, 2012

DANISH RED CROSS REGIONAL FINANCE OFFICER VACANCY NOTICE

NATIONAL POSITION VACANCY NOTICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Regional Finance Officer
Unit/dept/delegation: Danish Red Cross/East Africa Regional Office
Reports to: Danish Red Cross Head of Region (HoR)
Grade: 6

PURPOSE
The Regional Finance Officer position in Danish Red Cross (DRC) forms part of the East Africa Regional Office. The Finance Officer supports the National Societies covered by the Regional Office in ensuring effective and timely financial management in general and of DRC supported programmes in particular. The Finance Officer also assists the HoR in ensuring effective and timely financial management of the Regional Office expenses with regards to budgeting, reporting and liabilities.

Duties applicable to all staff
• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation's and DRC goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles.

• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regional Office/Programme Financial Management
• Ensure timely monthly reporting of Regional Office Accounts
• Plan and organise annual audits of Regional Office Accounts
• With HOR prepare and maintain allocation key for shared costs
• Booking of all entries into the DRC accounting system
• Manage cash flow to Regional Office
• Prepare and / or provide input to financial overviews to Head of Region (HoR)
• Ensure high standard of financial reports from Regional Office
• Ensure correct posting of transactions booked on programmes
• Follow up RO budget and time registration
• Follow up grants allocated to the region
• Co-ordinate with DRC Controller re. creation of Grants projects in AX09, prorate or itemized
• Prepare and periodically update grant income and expenditure budget for the overall programmes in the region

Support to HoR/DRC Delegates
• Ensure transfer and accounting of Delegates working advances
• Advice on and support the preparation of appropriate and timely financial reporting as well as the auditing of the DRC supported programmes in accordance with agreed contracts with partners
• Assist Delegates and other staff on financial issues
• Advise HoR on all matters related to programme and RO finances and constantly maintain an overview of the regional finance situation

National Society
• Coordinate and assist country offices/National Societies in preparing annual programme budgets and financial reports to the back donors e.g. Europe Aid, Echo, Dipecho, Danida etc. and ensure that the donor specific guidelines are adhered to
• Control and monitoring of programme budgets and expenditures and ensure compliance with donor and DRC requirements
• Ensure consolidated Financial Program Reports to Danish Red Cross
• Support development of (and adjustments to) contracts and agreements, activity plans and financial reports and budgets
• Undertake quality control of cash requests and quarterly financial statements submitted by partners through the responsible delegates and other staff
• Process the payment of cash requests from National Societies in the DRC payment system
• Coordinate in collaboration with the NS partners yearly financial and performance audits for programmes in the region, including tender process for local auditors, instruct these and ensure that guidelines are followed

Administrative Responsibilities
• Ensure that Regional Office and Delegate’s administrative procedures and policies are in line with Danish Red Cross’ policies and procedures
• Maintain administrative procedures in the Regional Office, including financial filing system
• Ensure that support is provided to DRC Delegates and other staff/visitors on administrative issues, including visas and residence permit, ticket and accommodation etc.
• Responsible for procurement of office consumables for Regional Office
• Responsible for safety and maintenance of office equipment, vehicles etc. and maintain a fixed assets inventory list for the Regional Office
• Responsible for IT management
• Stay informed of Government rules and regulations relating to financial management and administration in country
• Stay informed of newest DRC guidelines on financial matters, PPM, procurement and delegates

General Support
• Ensure implementation at the Regional Office of financial administration procedures
• Support to Delegates on financial administration procedures
• Contribute to efficient communication and coordination between DRC Head Quarters, the Regional Office, Delegates and National Societies on financial matters
• Advice partners on their financial and administrative systems and procedures
• Support finance development of NSs partner in the region
• Regular monitoring visits to programme countries, including visits to partners Financial Departments
• Data processing into AX09 for the reports received from DRC country office/national societies and reporting
• Registration of regional and local grants and Issuance of cash pledges to IFRC and ICRC

Additionally
• The Regional Finance Officer will participate in relevant internal meetings, development forums, workshops, courses etc. on the request of the HoR
• The Regional Finance officer will visit national Societies covered by the Regional Office
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• University Degree in Financial Management, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or any other relevant fields

Experience
• Three years or more experience in audits, financial management and reporting, budgeting and accounting
• Experience in working for a humanitarian organisation, e.g. the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Experience in writing Narrative and Financial reports

Knowledge & Competencies

• Technical knowledge and experience in developing, monitoring and supervision of activity plans, budgets and financial management
• Establishment and enforcement of sound internal controls
• Good knowledge of donor requirements an advantage

Languages
• Fluency in written and spoken English
Skills
• Excellent reporting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Package) and user knowledge of financial accounting systems
Character Qualities
• Ablility to work in a team
• Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
• High degree of integrity and discretion in personal conduct
• Self-motivated, with good judgement and initiative
• Able to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills
• Sensitivity to diversity
• Good level of attention to detail

How To Apply
Interested applicants should submit a CV and a one-page cover letter outlining their motivation and suitability for the above position by email to hr.eastafrica@ifrc.org by 17th June, 2012.

Due to the large volume of applications received, kindly note that:
1. Only e-mail applications sent before the deadline will be accepted
2. Only short listed candidates will be contacted