Finance Controller

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 40 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. Since its inception in 1933, the IRC has been a global leader in emergency response and providing durable solutions for conflict- and crisis-affected populations. IRC launched its Lebanon program in September 2012, and has a presence in four regions (North, Bekaa, Mt. Lebanon, South) and five sectors: education, economic recovery and development, women’s protection and empowerment, child protection, and protection. Position Summary: IRC is seeking a Finance Controller for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project to expand equitable access and improve learning outcomes for vulnerable students in Lebanese public schools. The Finance Controller will be responsible for budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting and accounting. The Finance Controller will be responsible for ensuring compliance with IRC and USAID financial management policies and procedures. Essential Responsibilities: With support from the Senior Finance Controller, develop and implement accounting systems and policies; Monitor project compliance with USAID and IRC rules and regulations; Work directly with project managers/officers to prepare pipeline budgets, consultant agreements and subwards, and agreement modifications; Assist senior finance management to organize and conduct periodic project performance and administrative compliance reviews of programs. This may require internal expenditure verification and reviews of partners and grantees; Provide assistance to project managers on agreement inception, implementation and closeout activities; including preparation of required approvals, allowances, funding, as necessary; Serve as liaison with subawardees and provide guidance to assist partners to complete necessary budget forms in a timely manner. Track subawardee invoices, monitor subaward status, draft modification request as needed; Document/maintain written procedures on how the required financial reports are to be prepared and completed; Develop budgets, checking for consistency with current year-to-date results, prior year results, and available existing contract information. Attend budget meetings with project managers as requested or required; Maintain an updated calendar of financial reporting due dates; Work with the Senior Finance Controller and other senior Finance staff to ensure that monthly budget information is uploaded into SUN accounting system. Insure that the approved monthly and annual budgets have been uploaded correctly and completely; Review cost and personnel allocations in accordance with contract budget and resolve any issues identified with appropriate staff; Work with project managers and accountants to ensure that expenses are properly posted to the project and are in compliance with agreement requirements; With the Senior Finance Controller, prepare budget revision requests, budget amendments, negotiation packages, and interim and year-end cost reporting as necessary; Prepare annual audit schedules and donor reports when applicable and as per agreed/set schedules. Qualifications/Requirements At a minimum: Master’s Degree (preferred) and six years of experience in accounting, finance, business management, or other relevant field; or a Bachelor’s Degree and eight years of experience; Demonstration of progressively responsible experience in US Government  grant management and regulations; Specific training in USAID regulations, budgeting, and/or budget management for USAID projects preferred; Practical knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing procedures; Advanced Excel spreadsheet skills and standard accounting software required; knowledge of other software Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.); Experience in managing large USAID contract budgets, and supervising finance and contract staff in ensuring USAID contract compliance; Experience in start-up of projects, including establishing financial systems and processes in compliance with USAID policies and procedures; Strong interpersonal skills and talent for productively interacting with a wide range of organizations (e.g. government, private sector, NGOs, and research institutions); Experience implementing in the Middle East required; experience in Lebanon preferred; Strong analytical skills, knowledge of SUN system accounting software preferred; Effective organization skills and ability to work with minimal supervision; Ability to work effectively and professionally and multi-task while paying attention to detail in a fast-paced environment; Effective verbal and written communication skills; Fluency in English and Arabic required.