Country Finance Delegate – Syria

The Danish Red Cross (DRC) implements programmes primarily in emergency response, health, and psychosocial support (PS) though a number of Red Cross / Red Crescent (RCRC) Host National Societies (HNS) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We emphasize strengthening the partner National Society through organisational development and operational capacity building. We see integrity, transparency, autonomy and sustainable volunteer structures as conditions for building sustainable capacity. In MENA DRC is present in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen with a total of 24 international delegates.

Syria is the biggest country operation in MENA, comprising donors such as the Danish Ministry, ECHO and private partners such as Novo Nordic. Danish Red Cross (DRC) is therefore looking for an experienced candidate to serve as Country Finance Delegate in Syria.

In Syria DRC’s primary partnership is with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), with which it has worked since 2006. SARC is the leading local humanitarian organisation delivering assistance and services to the population, not only for the Movement but also for the UN and international NGOs, since it was mandated by the Government to coordinate and channel all non-governmental aid in the crisis. DRC also supports the Palestine Red Crescent Society branch in Syria (PRCS-S) to support the Palestine Refugee population. The DRC programmes in Syria are identified and planned in close collaboration with both National Societies, and through its delegate support DRC aims to support both partners to become more coherent and efficient organisations.

Key Responsibilities:

As Country finance Delegate you will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

DRC Syria country programme financial management:

Budgeting

• Advise and support the Country Manager and delegates in the development of new project budgets.
• Coordinate the preparation of programme budgets in consultation with relevant SARC (or PRCS Syria) programme and finance staff.
• Develop tools that facilitate the gathering of financial data for budget preparation in conjunction with SARC (or PRCS Syria) technical teams.

Monitoring

• Ensure compliance of projects’ financial management arrangements and reporting with DRC and donor regulations.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditure and, when decided upon, support the process of budget revision.
• Ensure that the grant income versus expenditure accounting for each project is kept up to date.

Reporting & fund replenishment

• Ensure effective, correct and timely book-keeping of expenditure data in DRC ERP system (Kompas) and correct processing of payments.
• Coordinate the timely preparation and submission by SARC of programme financial reports with supporting transaction records.
• Review the SARC (and PRCS Syria) programme financial reports to ensure correct coding per budget lines and compliance with donor regulations.
• Review the bank and cash reconciliation submitted with the reports to ensure transparency and oversight on utilisation of funds.
• Prepare and submit consolidated programme financial reports to the DRC RO, in a timely manner.
• Support the preparation of project fund requests by SARC or PRCS Syria, and their processing by the DRC RO and or HQ.
• Review the programme financial reports and address key budget variances with relevant DRC programme managers.
• Contribute to the annual Country and Project Progress Reports in support of the Syria Country Team.

Closure

• Support the compliant closure of projects, including final reporting, external audit, and secure filing of all required documents.

Financial oversight, internal control, audit and risk management:

Financial oversight

• At all times maintain an overview of relevant financial activities in Syria, covering the entire DRC project portfolio with SARC and PRCS-S, and an effective summary of their respective financial situations, for management and delegates at country, regional and HQ level.
• Understand and communicate to the country team the financial management and reporting compliance requirements of key donors.
• Advise the Country Team on all issues of financial planning, budget preparation, monitoring and reporting income and expenditure.

Internal control

• Support SARC and PRCS-S to optimize the use of financial resources through an appropriate internal control environment, with an emphasis on:

– Finance and accounting policies and procedures;

– Effective budgetary control;

– Effective oversight of the bank and cash portfolio;

– Following-up from contractual agreements to practical implementation of the financial procedures to ensure satisfactory control;

– Monitoring any working advances made and ensuring that a monthly reconciliation is done;

– Tracking, monitoring and controlling financial commitments; and

– An efficient financial filing and record-keeping system.

Audit and risk management

• Support SARC and PRCS-S to plan and implement project audits that are timely and in compliance with DRC and donor requirements.
• Support SARC and PRCS-S on the selection of auditors, on preparation and conduct of the processes, and review draft audit reports.
• Assist in developing audit follow-up matrices and advise SARC and PRCS-S management in responding to audit findings.
• Support SARC and PRCS-S to implement corrective actions to manage financial risks.

Capacity building of HNS:

• Identify, develop, facilitate and coordinate capacity-building initiatives for SARC and PRCS-S staff on financial management, consistent with the principles, objectives and methods set by Finance Department management, and in collaboration with other partners.
• Assist SARC and PRCS-S in the development of effective and efficient financial policies, procedures, systems and tools where lacking.
• If appropriate, support the preparation and delivery of relevant training to SARC and PRCS-S finance and programme staff.
• If requested, mentor relevant staff in the SARC Finance Department, in particular those working on DRC project financial management.
• Assist the Country Manager to implement measures and build SARC and PRCS-S capacity in relation to DRC anti-corruption policies.

General support to the DRC country team, HQ and MENA Region:

• Facilitate efficient communication and coordination between the DRC Country Office, RO and HQ on all financial matters.
• Strong communication and working relationship between HQ IFO and Country Finance Delegate to follow on different financial issues.
• Ensure compliance of programmes with DRC financial management SOPs.
• Support the financial processes in procurements of goods and services (either local or international) in the course of DRC projects.
• Facilitate the processing and clearance of working advances and expense claims of DRC delegates in Syria.
• Support and follow-up on time registration, as applicable, both by SARC staff and by DRC staff at country, regional and HQ level.
• Stay abreast of new partner guidelines on financial and administrative matters and inform the DRC Country and RO teams accordingly.
• Participate in relevant internal meetings, development forums, workshops, courses, etc.
• Perform missions to other countries in the region to support financial management of projects and support to country offices.
• Provide suggestions and input to the continuous development of DRC financial procedures and processes, and help to improve them.
• Perform any other reasonable task assigned by the DRC Country Manager and or Regional Finance Manager.

Qualifications, experience, technical qualities and personal qualities:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in financial management and providing programme / project financial support.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working for a humanitarian aid organization in conflict/post-conflict country like Syria.
• Experience in supporting the capacity-development of local staff including training, mentoring and facilitation skills.
• Experience working with Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), ECHO, EU (DG-NEAR), or other similar donors.
• Work experience in the Middle East is preferred
• Advanced university degree (master’s) or equivalent qualification in accounting / finance / business administration / auditing.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and the use of specialist accounting software systems.
• Technical knowledge and experience in facilitating, supporting and overseeing activity plans, budgets and financial management.
• Excellent analytical skills, particularly concerning complex financial documents, and attention to detail.
• Fluency in Arabic is preferred with the ability to switch easily between Arabic and English work environments. An excellent level of English is required.
• Confidence and calmness under conditions of stress, particularly those which create cumulative rather than traumatic stress.
• The ability to work and live under a strong security regime, with relatively limited freedom of movement on a daily basis.
• The ability to withstand the pressure of a heavy workload, and still maintain an appropriate work / life balance.
• Understanding that process and ownership are key to achieving results in a culturally and politically sensitive environment.
• Takes initiatives, is self-motivating in an environment without close daily supervision, and excellent organisational skills.
• Proven diplomatic, communication, negotiation and team-working skills
• Experience with the RCRC Movement including knowledge of its financial management policies, procedures and systems is preferred.
• Proficiency in an ERP system such as MS D365 is an asset.

Employment conditions

The Country Finance Delegate reports directly to the DRC Country Manager, with technical reporting line to the Regional Finance Manager. The duty station is Damascus, accommodation in Damascus will be provided; Syria is a non-family position.

The starting date of the assignment is envisioned as asap. The length of the contract will be one year**, with possibility of extension**. The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms and Conditions for Delegates. The monthly salary including allowances and pension is competitive, depending on experience and qualifications.

For more information, please read the job description.