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Regional Finance Advisor (216839-927)
Source: Mercy Corps
Recruiter
| Deadline: | 04 Jan 2010 |
| Organisation: | Mercy Corps |
| Location: | Jordan |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | PROGRAM SUMMARY: Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s. Currently, Mercy Corps has offices in Lebanon, West Bank/Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. Programming in the region includes relief and recovery activities in northern Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and Jordan - working often with refugees and displaced persons, as well as host communities affected by conflict and poverty. Wherever possible, implementation in these environments includes transformative activities that empower individuals and connect them to the larger world. Mercy Corps is also implementing social development programs in southern Iraq and Jordan that build capacity of local governments and civil society institutions to find long-term solutions to the needs in their communities. These programs also target marginalized groups, such as youth, women, PWDs and rural residents, giving them access to skills and forums in which they can take part in the improvement of their communities.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Regional Finance Advisor (RFA) will provide advice and technical support to the Middle East country programs in collaboration with the Regional Finance Officer (RFO). He/She will support finance staff throughout the region and ensure that the country programs comply with all applicable policies and procedures, laws and regulations, proper accounting standards and administrative and donor reporting requirements. Particularly time and attention will be required to supporting the Iraq program, where the region's most sizable grants are.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Work with Regional Program Director, RFO and country finance and management teams to ensure that appropriate financial standards and procedures, systems for internal control, compliance, accounting data processing and finance reporting functions in accordance with donor regulations are developed, implemented and maintainedÂ.
Standardise reporting schedules and formats and ensure that the Finance Managers are providing financial information to Regional Director, Country Directors and the RFO in a timely and accurate manner.
Coordinate problem solving support, training and mentoring of all finance staff in the region.
Assist with the development of budgets for new grants in coordination with the Regional Director, Country Directors, Program Managers, Finance Managers, and RFO.
Perform internal audits and reviews as required to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements. Review comments will be shared with country finance and management teams, RPD and RFO.
In collaboration with finance managers stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations and compile and update applicable compliance manuals and training programs for Mercy Corps and partner staff.
Provide direction and oversight to finance managers in reviewing and monitoring partners' financial reporting and compliance.
Assess recruitment needs for finance, oversee the hiring process, personnel orientation and training and development, in coordination with HQ Finance.
Assist with the development and ensure implementation of local office policies and procedures and provide training for all issues related to finance, personnel and administration, in coordination with finance managers and the RFO.
Travel around the region to support the country finance teams as needed, including to various cities in Iraq such as Suleimaniyah, Baghdad and Basrah. Estimated travel time is 35%.
Provide coverage to country finance teams during times of absence.
Coordinate and review movement of transactions between general ledgers incurred in one country within the region to another country within the region.
Support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Organizational Learning
As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: This position does not directly supervise any staff ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Director WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Country Directors, Regional Finance Officer, senior finance staff in countries of operation in the Middle East. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: BA/S degree in accounting/finance required. Six years' finance and management experience and 4 years experience managing grants required. Three years' international experience is required, international NGO/PVO field office experience is preferred. Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparations and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation, USAID, UN, EU/ECHO, other institutional and government donors' rules and regulations, and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports is required. Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required. Experience working in difficult/insecure conditions, knowledge of appropriate language/customs and regional experience is preferred. SUCCESS FACTORS: Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. Ability to live within a complex security and political situation and to follow strict security protocols. Ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. Knowledge of security standards, equipment, precautionary measures, communication protocols, various unstable conditions and familiarity of the Sphere Project's Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Knowledge of procurement and tendering. Curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures. LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedures will be required as will respect for local cultural norms and traditions. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. |
