Finance Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Finance Manager to be based in Warsaw, Poland with visits to field locations.

Since late February 2022, nearly 4 million Ukrainians and third-country nationals have crossed the border to Poland. As part of its neighboring country response, DRC is establishing an operational presence in Poland and setting up its first office for direct implementation of humanitarian intervention in Poland.

If you are looking for an impactful job opportunity where you can learn much and professionally grow, this is the right challenge for you! Apply via our website and become one of the first team members of our new office in Poland.

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is Denmark’s largest, and leading international NGO – one of the few with specific expertise in forced displacement. In 40 countries 7,500 employees protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in exile, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance. DRC supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included in hosting societies. DRC works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote the protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

About the job:

As a Finance Manager, you will be responsible for all finance tasks within Poland country operation, finance staff management, and ensuring compliance with the finance chapters of DRC’s Operations Handbook. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

People Management

• Lead and manage the finance team (including people planning, performance, well-being, and development)
• Support the development and implementation of financial management capacity building of staff

Financial Management

• In close cooperation with Managers in Poland reinforce existing/roll-out procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, internal guidelines, and donor requirements
• Support timely delivery of quality financial reports to donors and internal reports to colleagues and HQ
• Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies, and statutory returns
• Monthly financial briefings to the relevant Manager
• Ensure thorough and effective budgetary control in the country’s programs
• Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues for all programs in the country, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances, and any remedial action
• Collecting cash forecasts from all Program Managers and requesting funds in a timely manner.
• Maintain a continuous overview of funding levels and pay particular attention to shared support costs, including staff salaries
• Ensure all required documentation for financial audits in cooperation with Coordination staff and HQ.
• Ensure monthly meetings are held with project managers to discuss key variances, reasons for these, and any remedial action that is required
• Prepare for local audits
• Contribute to the development of proposals with regard to budgeting in cooperation with Managers

Partnerships (Implementing Partners):

• Contribute to the capacity assessment of DRC implementing partners, and participate in developing capacity-building plans
• Prepare and organize workshops and meetings regarding financial management (spending, SGA, forecasts,. etc)
• Management of subgrants, ensuring partners’ installments are released on time, and reconciling financial reports with received funds

DRC Dynamics ERP system

• Ensure DRC Dynamics is used to its full capacity
• Ensure proper application of ERP finance processes in the country
• Apply reports and data analytics from ERP system to improve performance in the country
• Ensure that Country ERP support is in place (i.e. super users)

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within Poland
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 6 years of experience in the relevant field. Moreover, we expect the following:

• BA in Finance / Accounting, Business Administration, or any other relevant field
• Proven experience in managing large budgets
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g. UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA, WFP, DFID, or BPRM guidelines)
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitivity to the cultural context
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance, and HR systems
• Desirable: experience working with Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Interest and dedication to administrative procedures
• Accuracy and effectiveness in all aspects of work
• Absolute and proven reliability in financial matters
• Team player
• Ability to work independently
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong Word and Excel skills
• Full professional proficiency in English
• Knowledge of Polish is an asset

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

We offer:

Contract length: 12 months (with the possibility of extension based on funding)

Band: F Management

Duty station: Warsaw, Poland

Start date: asap

We offer competitive salary and benefits in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.