Roving Finance Controller Job Nairobi, Kenya

Job Description

• Date Posted January 9, 2024
• Location Nairobi City, Kenya
• Category Accounting, Finance and Accounting
• Offered Salary: $68000 – $75000 / year
• Expiration date–
• Experience 6 Years
• Gender Both
• Industry Finance, Accounting
• Qualification Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree
• Career Level Officer

About Company

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements. 

Background: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 30 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.

The IRC Finance department seeks to achieve excellence in financial management by providing accurate and timely financial information to IRC management and programs and by adhering to established financial practices and accounting principles. The Global Finance Team does this by supporting and training finance staff in-country program offices, by implementing and monitoring the implementation of IRC and donor policies and procedures, and by gathering the necessary financial information in preparation of the organization’s financial statements and providing high-quality strategic finance partnering and leadership.  

Job Overview: 

Upon request, the Roving Finance Controller provides technical assistance to field programs and staff in matters of financial processes & procedures and will therefore be deployed to IRC field offices in various countries on a temporary basis. This position includes constant international travel to developing countries and requires high flexibility in terms of physical movement from country to country and duration of assignments.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Temporarily assume the position of the country or program office’s Deputy Director Finance until permanent staff can be identified and trained (including);

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

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

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

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

o Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits

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

• Deploy to country or program offices to act as a surge finance staff, lead budget developments, and contribute to other financial activities as needed

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

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

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

• Assist field offices with onboarding for the new Deputy Director of Finance and/or Finance Manager as required

• Provide training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding IRC financial procedures and internal controls

• Work with the Regional Finance Directors, Deputy Director Finance and Country Director to develop the job descriptions and Terms of Reference (TOR) of various finance field positions

• Meet with the respective Country Director and Deputy Director, Finance at the beginning and end of each assignment to discuss terms of reference and the outcome of the deployment

• Assist with the rollout of IRC’s new ERP system

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in IRC financial policy and financial systems

• Assist HQ finance with other duties as required

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Associate Controller, Program Finance and Country Director (when Deployed)

Position directly supervises:None

Indirect Reporting: 

Other Internal and/or external contacts: 

Internal:Regional Finance Director, Deputy Director Finance, Regional VP, Country Director when deployed

External:Donor if applicable

Job Requirements: 

Work Experience: 

• Minimum 6 years of progressive NGO accounting experience in an international development environment 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; Master’s Degree a plus

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: 

• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Additional fluency in French is a plus

• Ability and willingness to travel to different Country Programs as needs arise

• Detailed knowledge of fund accounting, procurement and financial management of USAID and UN cooperative agreements

• Ability to present sophisticated financial information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to solve complex matters through the use of analyses, data-sharing, and cooperation

Preferred experience & skills: 

• Professional finance certification is highly desirable (e.g. CPA/CA)

• Experience within a humanitarian emergency setting is highly desirable

• Knowledge of US Government, European Union, and United Nations donor reporting regulations highly desirable

• Previous work experience with a major general ledger software package – experience with MS D365 preferred

• Highly reliable and flexible approach to professional responsibilities: the ability to change course at a moment’s notice yet remain focused and productive, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills: the ability to effectively liaise with colleagues in diverse multicultural environments

• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be productive under pressure in a fast-paced team environment

• Strong digital literacy: facility with MS Word, Excel, various accounting software, and email/internet software

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a matrix management environment

Working Environment:

Conditions allowing, this position will be based overseas and will be traveling most of the time. Will be working from home if not deployed.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: 

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits.  In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.