Finance and Administration Coordinator

(Sana’a, Yemen)

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operating in Yemen since 2008 using a protection of human rights framework. DRC initially worked in Yemen with mixed migrants coming from the Horn of Africa who are displaced by conflict and drought. Since then, DRC expanded its sectors of intervention and is now providing humanitarian assistance in nineteen governorates throughout the country. Current programme sectors include protection, food security & livelihoods, WASH, Shelter, humanitarian mine action and CCCM.

About the job

Overall purpose of the role:

This position has a country focus and multi-organization focus (Consortium Members) and ensure compliance with CCY harmonized approaches, DRC procedure and guidelines as well the donor regulations within Yemen. The role contributes to the development of the strategic objectives of the CCY, the collaboration with its members that shall be translated into guidance and plans for day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and technical guidance for the consortium programme while overseeing the financial implementation.

• Provide overall advice, coordination, and technical support to the financial process as well the members finance teams.
• Ensure compliance with the finance DRC specific guidelines and donor regulations.
• Nurture and promote a culture of compliance and risk management in collaboration with the consortium members

Responsibilities

Financial Management

• In close cooperation with Consortium Members reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC, Consortium internal guidelines and donor requirements.
• Contribute to the development of proposals with regards to budgeting in cooperation with Consortium Members and grants management team.
• Ensure that all appropriate donor formats are available in-country and staff have a clear understanding of donor requirements/expectations.
• Prepare and coordinate all necessary follow-up internally and externally for relevant Consortium Members staff.
• Maintain continuity of work operations by documenting and communicating needed actions to management (Consortium Management Unit and Steering Committee)
• Support and lead timely delivery of quality financial reports to donors and internal reports to Consortium Management Unit and Steering Committee.
• Provide monthly financial briefings to the Chief of Party and Steering Committee
• Liaise with relevant personnel on key financial issues for the consortium programme, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances, and any remedial action
• Ensure thorough and effective budgetary control for the consortium programme.
• Maintain bookkeeping of sub-grantees’ instalments, settlements and reports in DRC ERP system (DRC Dynamics)

Risk and Compliance

• Develop and maintain up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of donor and government policies, and support implementing DRC Led Consortia teams to ensure full compliance.
• Maintain effective communications with Consortium Members regarding donor-related issues.
• Monitor the compliance aspect of implementation by conduction spot checks and verification visits.
• Contribute to the preparation of audits and lead the preparation for local audits
• Provides expert advice and support to set strategy and assure operational quality and compliance
• Support and evaluate areas of compliance risk while feeding into risk registers, and recommend corrective actions
• Work closely with Consortium Members senior personnel to ensure monitoring the performance of risk mitigation, improvement plans and corrective actions.

Partnership and Sub-Granting

• Review and provide support in the negotiation of project agreements, including subgrant-agreements, teaming agreements and memoranda of understanding.
• Support kick-off meetings, mid-term reviews, and closure meetings to ensure that information is shared effectively with relevant staff, including Consortium members.
• Ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Consortium Members’ focal points
• Ensure timely reporting and disbursement of funds for sub-grantees.

Required experience and competencies

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

About you

Experience and technical competencies

• Minimum 3-5 years of international practical experience in financial management
• Proven experience in managing large budgets
• Proven experience managing risks and compliance issues.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities
• Working experience with relevant donors’ guidelines such as EU-funding (ECHO), US-funding (USAID, BHA) and UN-funding
• Experience with using ERP systems and ability to understand their architecture. Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a big advantage

Education:

• University degree or equivalent within a relevant area (finance, business management, accounting, project management)

Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English
• Arabic is an asset

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Consortium Members’ focal Points.
• Consortia Management Unit
• CCY Chief of Party
• Donors (BHA, ECHO and OCHA mainly)
• Steering Committee

We offer

Contract length: We are providing 1 year contract.

Work place: Sana’a with frequent travel in Yemen

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level (NMG1).