Finance Specialist

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions.   With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff,  DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the job

This area-based role provides support to the implementation teams and area management by taking responsibility for the financial management of the area, ensuring financial management procedures and systems are met in compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines, as well as ensuring adherence to DRC’s and donor’s accounting practices and standards. The role provides overall advice, coordination, and technical support to the Finance teams in the area office, supporting the skills development of budget holders, and coordinating with the country office Finance Manager on country-level accounting, budget and compliance issues. The role is accountable for monthly financial cash needs analysis, budgetary forecasts, and financial reporting. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Support:

Support the development and implementation of financial management capacity building of staff, both finance and non-finance professionals.

Provide technical support and advice to the Area finance teams (Officers and Assistants)

Financial Management:

In close cooperation with Managers in geographical area reinforce existing 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 Country Office Finance

Ensure compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as tax, levies and statutory returns

Liaise with relevant Managers on key financial issues for all programs in the country, including co-funding, financial reporting, key variances, and follow-up on any remedial action

Collecting cash forecasts from all Programme 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 regards to budgeting in cooperation with Managers

Be involved in maintaining and updating the country Master Budget.

Payments, Transfers and Compliance:

Ensure that payment documents comply with DRC internal financial procedures and donor regulations and are entered into the DRC accounting system in a timely and high-quality manner

Ensure proper transfer of funds between DRC Lebanon bank accounts and that all bank accounts statements are reconciled

Ensure proper filing system for financial documents

Ensure partner sub-grants are compliant with the partner’ own standards and where appropriate ensure compliance with necessary DRC or donor regulations.

Budget control, planning and reporting:

Develop and ensure the implementation of shared cost tools

Support Program Managers and Area Manger with regular budget monitoring and provision of a monthly financial report

Prepare and use budget control tools for regular budget follow up

Prepare and assist in issuing donor financial reports and support the development of budgets for new grant proposals

Support budget holders with budget management tools and skills

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

Responsible for providing specialized knowledge and operational know-how within a specific discipline.

May also have technical line responsibilities, but generally on technical or operational matters.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting or Business Administration. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

Minimum 3 years of practical experience in financial management with an INGO or similar organization.

Proven experience in managing large budgets.

Competence in providing technical guidance and training.

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).

Advanced proficiency in Excel.

Professional proficiency in English

Arabic (preferred)

Preferred qualifications:

Experience in an ERP style financial software package is an advantage.

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: until the end of December 2022

Band/Level: G

Duty Station: North

Start date: March 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact sama.kanaan@drc.ngo