Country Finance Manager

Job details

This position is open on a rolling basis and will be filled upon the availability of a suitable candidate. Context: Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and well being. Currently, RI is active in 14 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran,Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure. Job Profile The Finance Manager will play a pivotal role in steering the financial operations of our country program in Pakistan, ensuring that all financial activities are managed with precision and in alignment with both organizational and donor requirements. Your role will be to provide strategic leadership and oversight for all financial and administrative functions within the Country Program. You will be responsible for ensuring that financial transactions are accurately documented, accounting procedures are strictly adhered to, and that all financial reports are prepared and submitted in accordance with both internal and donor guidelines. You will ensure that robust financial systems and controls are in place and functioning effectively. You will work with cross-functional teams to manage cash flow, prepare financial reports, and oversee audits. In this role, you will lead the finance team, providing guidance and capacity-building to ensure that all team members are equipped to meet the financial management needs of the organization. Your leadership will be critical in navigating complex financial landscapes and ensuring that all financial operations align with Relief International's mission and values. Key responsibilities: Context background • Financial Oversight in a Complex Environment: The Finance Manager will operate in a challenging context marked by political instability and ongoing humanitarian needs, requiring strict adherence to financial controls and policies. • Multi-Donor Management: The position demands expertise in managing finances across multiple projects funded by various donors, including US and EC government grants, ensuring compliance with diverse donor requirements. • Rapid Response: In a high-paced environment where emergencies may arise, the Finance Manager must be agile in reallocating resources and adapting financial plans to meet urgent needs. • Security Compliance: Strict adherence to security guidelines is essential, particularly in volatile regions. The Finance Manager will ensure all financial operations are conducted in accordance with established security protocols. Relationships Management • Collaboration with the Country Director: The Finance Manager will maintain a close working relationship with the Country Director to align financial strategies with overall program goals. • Coordination with Project Managers: Regular interaction with Project Managers will be necessary to monitor budget performance, provide financial insights, and ensure effective cost allocation. • Partnership Management: The Finance Manager will engage with local partners, providing financial training and ensuring their adherence to RI’s financial procedures and donor guidelines. • Liaison with Regional and Global Finance Teams: Strong communication and coordination with the Regional Finance Manager and global finance teams will be essential for ensuring consistency in financial reporting and compliance across the organization. Key deliverables Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control • Ensure that effective systems are put in place and regularly reviewed to allow for adequate financial management and control, including cash and cash flow management and control; expenditure procedures, especially around procurement; cost allocation procedures; inventory and requisition procedures; documentation of all controls and procedures; finance training for in-country finance staff and partners as necessary; availability of funds for sub-offices; and segregation of finance duties within the Country Office. • Implement and maintain systems to ensure that cash is controlled and accounted for accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with RI, donor, and audit requirements. • Manage the preparation of all donor reports and review them with the Country Director before submission to the Regional Finance Manager for approval. • Prepare monthly financial accounts and review them with the Country Director. • In conjunction with the Country Director and supported by the Regional Finance Manager, coordinate and oversee all internal and external audits, ensuring that all financial records and backup documentation are ready and available. • Design and implement a system to assist Project Managers and the Country Director in reviewing, monitoring, and tracking real-time project budget vs. actual reports to ensure appropriate cost allocations. • Assist and work with the Country Director to create the annual budget for the country. • Assist Project Managers in ensuring compliance with RI procurement and field accounting policies and procedures, as well as compliance with donor agreements and audit requirements. • Review budget revisions in close coordination with Project Managers and the Country Director. • Ensure that all financial records and backup documentation are archived to the cloud server electronically monthly. • Provide technical assistance to regional offices when required by the supervisor. • Create a professional atmosphere, systems, and SOPs to work with other departments within RI country offices. • Improve relationships with other departments and between field offices and visit field offices regularly. • Ensure that co-financing for all current and future projects has been identified and booked in appropriate subclasses in the NetSuite accounting system. Work out the remaining liability of projects with co-financing that has not been recovered and propose a recovery plan for all co-financed projects. • Ensure compliance with local government tax laws and tax reporting. • Coordinate and lead the annual activity reporting process to local government, collect necessary information from other mission department heads in the country, verify and reconcile report data with CPA records, and plan for timely submission. • Manage the overall relationships with CO banks, lead account opening/closing processes, oversee signatory lists, and coordinate with the GSO legal department for timely updates on signatory lists when necessary. • Lead the process of determining appropriate expense approval thresholds in the country, propose an updated authorization matrix based on changes in CO structure in a timely manner, collect approvals, and store records. Capacity Building and Partnership • Provide capacity building, mentorship, and training to RI staff and partners. • Review partner monthly issue letters and work closely with DFM and FO to finalize outstanding issues. • Contribute to RI’s partnership guidelines and partner due diligence processes, ensuring all new partners are effectively vetted and any gaps are addressed in the capacity-building plan. Policy and Strategy Development • Ensure effective resource management and maximize cost-effectiveness and value for money throughout the program. • Lead the annual financial operational planning process in close collaboration with the Country Director and supported by the Regional Finance Manager. • Ensure that a proper common cost allocation methodology is used that is aligned with global cost allocation policies. Update the allocation drivers, when necessary, revise common cost allocation tables regularly in coordination with finance team to avoid any gaps or surpluses in project budgets. • Develop consistent procedures for CO exchange rate management, identify areas of currency mismatch, and design and implement exchange rate management systems that align with global exchange rate policy to avoid losses. Behavior and conduct • Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies • Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional • Reports any concerns Management and leadership • Ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies • Be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members • Embrace diversity, and model inclusive and equitable behaviour. • Ensure own actions and the actions of the teams’ members they manage do not adversely impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communit