Deputy Director Finance

Fluency in both English & Spanish required.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Scope of work

As a member of the Country Program Senior Management Team, the Deputy Director Finance provides financial leadership and management necessary to ensure that the country program has the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the strategic vision and mission of the organization. S/he will contribute to the development of the country programs strategic and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review. The Deputy Director Finance is responsible for the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting management of the Country Program. Emphasis will be placed on financial management policies, practices and systems that are compliant with local laws and US as well as adhering to donor requirements but are also conducive to effective implementation of country programs.

As Deputy Director Finance, s/he will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Senior Management team and Country Director, Regional staff as well as conforming to IRCs financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.

Based in Bogotá, Colombia, the Deputy Director Finance will have dual (through the Management in Partnership model) reporting to the Country Director and the Regional Finance Director, including straight line accountability to the CFO.

Key areas of accountability

Strategic Planning & Analysis

• Provides financial information which supports the Country Director and SMT in making business decisions in line with IRC, Regional & Country Program strategies

• Provides strategic analysis on the overall financial health of the country program to the CD and SMT

• Contributes and provides feedback to the development of Country Programs Strategic Annual Plan

Controllership

• Ensures that all in-country practices are in compliance with IRC and donor policies and procedures

• Establishes in-country finance procedures to supplement global policies as needed

• Closely monitors financial activities and advises the Country Director on financial performance of the office, issues with internal controls or financial management

• Ensures monthly balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a timely basis

• Manages the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by headquarters and donors

• Identifies requirements for and develops reporting formats to aid in the management of country operations and grant expenditures

• Directs the preparation of and approves all donor financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Country Director and Regional Finance Director prior to submission

• Ensures in-country internal control reviews of operations are regularly undertaken.

• Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits

• Oversees the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) through the enforcement of internal control policies and procedures

• Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and complies with tax and other legal requirements

• Is the principal liaison with IRC HQ on all finance, accounting, grant budget management, and cash management

Training & Staff Management

• Establishes a finance department roles and responsibilities matrix; staff job descriptions are current; recruits and maintains qualified staff to perform finance functions

• Ensures comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed annually; career planning and development plans are in place for all finance staff

• Develops and implements a training program for the country’s finance staff

• Oversees finance training and technical support to non-finance staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control

Treasury

• Supervises all country program bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates

• Oversees the review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations

• Maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments which obligate IRC to future spending

• Ensures that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation and cash held in headquarters in drawn regularly

• Ensures the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses

• Supervises the collection of contractual and other receivables

Budget/Forecast

• Oversees the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets; supports programs with guidance on costing and inputs in creating budgets for submission

• Prepares and maintains the country’s annual operating budget; ensures cost coverage for in-country operating costs and updates the operating budget regularly

• Presents and facilitates the review of actual to budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance required; recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a Master’s degree in Accounting preferred

• Extensive experience working in development or humanitarian response, including at least five years of experience living and working in the relevant field in developing and transitioning countries

• Minimum of five years of managerial experience in finance

• Requires extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs (Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power BI)

• Excellent written and verbal skills in the English and Spanish language.

• Must be comfortable in being a proactive member of the senior management team. Must have a proven track-record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions

• Must be able to function effectively in a complex work environment, setting appropriate priorities and manage competing priorities and pressure

• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support

• Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills and professional patience and be able to interact, partner and thrive in a diverse environment

• Committed to staff training and development and effective at facilitation

Professional conduct standards: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles described in IRC Way-Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on protecting the beneficiary from exploitation and abuse, safeguarding the child, harassment in the workplace, tax integrity and anti-retaliation.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to reducing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other benefits and support subsidies.

Equal Employer Opportunity: IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law Applicable