Country Finance Support (m/f/x) – Brazil – MSF Belgium

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.

MSF Operational Centre Brussels is looking for a:

Country Finance Support (m/f/x) – Brazil – MSF Belgium

CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières MSF (Doctors Without Borders) OCB (Operational Center Brussels) has two projects in Brazil (Yanomami and Portel) with a total of 120 staffs and a budget of around 5 Mi €.

• In Portel, in Pará state, MSF is supporting the municipality’s public health network, with the aim of strengthening care for the population.
• In the Yanomami Indigenous Land (TIY), in the Auaris region of Roraima, MSF is working in partnership with SESAI (Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health) to actively detect cases of malaria and treat the disease.

MSF OCB (Operational Center Brussels) in Brazil is currently in a re-centralization process and is building its Country Support Team (CST). The country Support team (8 people) will be responsible for giving direct support to the projects in Brazil.

Within Brazil Country support Team model, the Country Support Team’s (CST) finance roles are Finance Support and Accounting Manager (ACMA) (since 2021)

As Country Fin Support, you will support, with the accounting manager, the projects in treasury management, accounting, budget and risk resources.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES

• Support the Projects Finance managers in the implementation and management of finance strategies, policies. Moreover, support the internal control system with financial administrative and legal issues
• Work in collaboration with the Accounting Manager (ACMA)
• Participate actively in the definition and monitoring of the financial operational such as budget needs, financial strategy at country level. Providing support in the assessment and mitigation of the financial risks of the country and in the implementation of the relevant organizational setup to meet all financial obligations while keeping financial ethics always respected
• Support the Projects Finance managers in the implementation and respect of MSF policies and guidelines, ensure they are aligned with legal requirements and within the national legal framework
• Design or adapt relevant local policies, procedures, and tools for optimized management of the mission’s financial resources
• Coordinate and ensuring the efficient management of the treasury including the whole accounting of the country, to always ensure the smooth running of operations and maintaining as much control as possible on security risks
• Participate in the management of funding agreements with donors, providing regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial health of the mission, relevant cost analysis, regularly monitoring of expenses & budget, analyzing variances, and suggesting corrective actions when needed Assisting in the collection of information on resources and translating them into a budget
• Support the Project’s HR Finance Manager in ensuring the proper application of HR policies and associated processes (recruitment, training, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, potential, detection, staff’s development, and internal communication) to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required for the finance activities
• Coordinate and oversee the monthly and yearly closing of accounts with the aim that the statement reflects the financial reality of the mission
• Ensure and support the implementation of the OCB insurance policy (except HR assurances)
• When requested replace other members of the country or project finance teams during their absence
• Besides MSF OCB operations in Brazil and the LATAM Regional Support Team (RST 5), there is an MSF partner section in the Country. MSF Brazil partner section supports the Finance Department in some domains, therefore one of the roles of this position is to harmonize the responsibilities of each party, continuously improve processes and align expectations.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Degree in economics, finance or administration
• At leats two years experience in budget management and team management
• At least 6 months of international MSF experience with a minimum of 2 assignments
• At least one assignment as a (Deputy) Finance Coordinator desirable

Competencies

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Wefin and Unifield
• Strong ability to lead and organise teamwork
• People management and development
• Coaching or mentoring skills
• Service orientation
• Strategic thinking and analysis & ability to identify strategic finance priorities
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Clear communication

Languages

• Portuguese & English are essential (spoken and written)
• Spanish is an asset

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: 8/01/2024
• Location: Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Mobility required with frequent projects visits (30% to 50%)
• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full time
• Length of contract: 12 months (extension possible)
• Salary according to MSF Field salary
• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF function and salary grids.
• Family position possible according to MSF Brazil policy and conditions
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for application: 14/12/2023