Finance and Grants Manager (Readvertisement)

ABOUT IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development, and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.
To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website, www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.

THE POSITION

The Finance and Grants Manager will be responsible for overseeing the financial and grants management functions for IDLO’s programs involving an annual estimated expenditure of Euro 40 million implemented in 20 Country Offices and carries out programmes in more than 40 countries. S/he will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders including a range of IDLO donors.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Finance and Grants Manager will provide financial oversight and support to IDLO Country offices. The incumbent shall work closely with Country office finance staff and oversee a team of Regional Program Accountants in implementing financial oversight and compliance to IDLO rules and regulations, international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) and donor policies and procedures within her/his areas of responsibility.

Under the supervision of the Head of Finance, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Effective and accurate financial management and oversight:

• Lead the consolidated month-end close process for all IDLO Country Offices using NAVISION, ensuring all relevant accounts are reviewed and reconciled monthly.
• Monitor the performance of Country Offices overall accounting and financial management. Identify weaknesses and advise corrective actions.
• Lead in improving finance and accounting related processes and in implementing actions recommended by management and auditors.
• Consolidate and analyse financial information, preparing monthly reports on program implementation, providing comments on project performance vs. forecast and highlighting possible risks.
• Develop/Implement effective procedures for liquidity and cashflow management; timely review of cash position for program accounts to ensure that sufficient funds are available for programs implementation.
• Limit IDLO exposure to forex risks within the Country offices through the prudent management of currencies, assets, and liabilities.

Implementation of financial management policies and procedures:

• Ensure compliance of IDLO’s financial policies and procedures, IPSAS, and various donor rules and regulations.
• Supervisor of the Regional Program Accountants and Roving Program Accountant in the monitoring of monthly financial transactions from the country office, ensuring that internal controls are working.
• Ensure that the Program Accountants unit is performing monthly spot checks on country office transactions to identify any potential issues.
• Ensure that any anomalies or matters arising are investigated and resolved conclusively. Inform the supervisor of any material findings arising out of the monthly review.
• Provide support to country office in the implementation of IDLO policies and procedures, including IPSAS and in taking corrective action on any areas of weakness identified.

Grant and Implementing Partners management.

• Review all Grant Agreements, including audit requirements, against IDLO’s policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Review and clear all donor financial reports ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Review and approve financial amendments to Grant Agreements, ensuring appropriate budget realignments are in place.
• Participate in the pre-assessment process of selecting new implementing partners.
• Review implementing partner contracts, providing advice on reporting requirements, payment schedules, audit requirements and currency management, among others, ensuring compliance to IDLO policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations.

Facilitation of capacity / knowledge building and coaching of team members

• Support the Program teams in the set-up phase for new offices including but not limited to advising on the finance staff structure, design the accounting software set-up and identifying the cash transfer / banking arrangements.
• Support the country offices in developing country specific finance guidelines, in line with the IDLO Finance manual, by providing recommendations to ensure adequate internal controls.
• Coach HQ and Country Offices finance staff providing necessary technical guidance on accounting issues.
• Guide team members on IDLO financial policies and procedures, including the optimum use of the NAVISION ERP system.

Audits management

• Act as the focal point for program audit activities and liaise with internal/external auditors by providing the technical input and support as required.
• Review donor related audit terms of reference and ensure compliance by IDLO as applicable.
• Undertake regular field visits for monitoring and compliance checks; follow up on audit recommendations ensuring corrective actions are implemented based on possible audit findings.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

• Advanced university degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Professional accounting qualification – fully qualified accountant – ACCA or CPA.
• Members of a professional accounting institute.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 (ten) years of progressively responsible professional experience in providing grant financial management services and managing staff is required.
• Working knowledge on the use of MS NAVISION ERP.
• Knowledge and experience of managing and reporting on donor funded projects is essential.
• Fully proficient, skilled, and advanced knowledge in the use of spreadsheets (MS Excel).
• Progressive experience ideally within an intergovernmental or international non-governmental organization.
• Hands on experience in improving the effectiveness of finance functions and processes.
• Experience supervising staff and developing the capability of team members.

Language

• Fluent in oral and writing skills in English is required;
• Working knowledge of other languages e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian will be an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills and competencies

• Working knowledge on the use of MS NAVISION ERP and PowerBi.
• Fully proficient, skilled, and advanced knowledge in the use of spreadsheets.
• Experience working with accounting standards, specifically IPSAS.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• High degree of accuracy to ensure correctness of financial information.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work against tight deadlines.
• Good communication skills and ability to explain accounting and financial matters to non-financial staff.
• Ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of people including senior managers on complex issues.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field offices including unstable contexts.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

For this internationally recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a Fixed-term contract for 36 months, with the possibility of extension, subject to performance and availability of funding.

IDLO shall also offer a yearly basic salary of EUR 72,000 and a benefits package including provident fund contribution, medical insurance, leave entitlements in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules. Relocation and installation support are also available for internationally recruited employees.

Salaries and benefits paid by IDLO to employees are exempt from taxation in Italy. IDLO employees are responsible for compliance with income tax laws of their country of nationality or residence and/or of any other relevant fiscal jurisdiction.

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only the shortisted candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications of qualified and diverse candidates IDLO is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application Deadline: 13 February 2023