Senior Partnership Finance Officer - Relief - Beirut

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, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Background:

As a part of its Strategic Planning, the IRC Lebanon has recognized that working with Local and International partners will continue to grow in its relevance and created a partnerships unit in 2017 with more that 20 established partnerships today in 2020 with local actors and governmental bodies. Effective partnerships with local and national CSOs and government entities enable the IRC to pursue the strategic objectives set out in IRC Strategy 100 and result in better outcomes for the people we serve.

Project Description:

Based in Beirut with occasional travel to the Field Offices in Zahle, Qobayat, and Tripoli the Partnership Finance Senior Officer will work in the IRC partnership Unit. The purpose of the Partnership Unit is to oversee the management and coordination of IRC's partnership related work in accordance with the IRC Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results (PEERS). He/she will be directly reporting to the Partnership Finance Manager.

The Partnership Finance Senior Officer will play a key role in supporting partners and IRC in their financial management of the sub-grants. The role will coordinate the facilitation of partnership management processes relating to financial reviews before submitting the payments request to finance for final sign off. Their role will also focus on supporting partners and programs’ staff to build solid capacity in finance and accounting systems. The Partnership Finance Senior Officer will play a key role in coordinating efforts between IRC’s Finance and Partnerships Units.

Main Responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Provide support in the management and tracking of all partner budgets and financial reporting deliverables, inform Partnerships Finance Manager and Partnerships Coordinator of any potential issues with spending and financial reporting.
• Participate in the Partner's Capacity Analysis (PCA) of potential partners as appropriate and contribute to efforts to collaboratively analyze and manage material risks identified.
• Assist in review and prepare partner cash requests, ensure a tracking system and matching of advance payments and expenses reported.
• Support on the review of partner financial reports and supporting documentation, providing feedback to partners as necessary and flagging any compliance and financial management issues to Partnership Finance Manager.
• Provide spending status when required.
• Support in preparation of audit required documents.
• Support in the preparation of internal finance reporting.
• Ensure compliance with IRC procedures and guidelines.
• Provide support to partners on any financial and reporting challenges, as required.
• Assist in preparing financial report reconciliations for Program and Finance review and sign off.
• Update the Finance Partnership Tracker on a regular basis.
• Archive and maintain record of all sub-award documentations and make it available for review.
• Liaise with partners to ensure completeness, correctness, and accuracy of financial reports.
• Assist in the close-out phase of partnership agreements,

Other

Any other duties as assigned by the Partnership Finance Manager.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Partnership Finance Manager

Position directly Supervises: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC Lebanon Finance Department, IRC Partnerships Team, IRC technical leads, IRC Lebanon HR Lead, HQ and Regional grants/compliance teams, Program Coordinators

External:  Partner organizations

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline, Master’s degree a plus.
• Demonstrated successful experience working with local partners and/or grants management.
• Relevant experience of finance and accounting.
• Highly organized, close attention to detail, and ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a fluid environment.
• Professional fluency in spoken and written English; able to communicate concisely and with impact.
• Very strong English writing and editing skills; strong computer skills.
• MS. Excel skills is a must.

Working Environment:

Staff will be based in Beirut with possible travel to field locations, upon business needs.

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The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.