REGIONAL FINANCE MANAGER

Background
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programmes include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. There are 4 main programme offices in Somali region, one in Yemen, one in Ethiopia, one in Kenya and one regional office in Nairobi. There are also non operational region wide initiatives, focusing on advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the Nairobi regional office. Currently there are over 400 DRC staff in the region. The last 3 years have seen some growth in programme size, but primarily there has been a growth in the number of support and management functions demanded and required by the programme offices, in order to maintain quality and accountability.

Purpose.
The Finance Manager is responsible for sound financial management and planning of DRC’s operations in the Horn of Africa and Yemen. The position requires a person who is dedicated to accuracy of details while at the same time able to see tasks from a more overall perspective and one who is able to manage a large number of different donors in a busy working environment.

Key Responsibilities:
 Ensures coherence with DRC financial procedures as well as with local legislation. Further, the Finance Manager is responsible for maintaining efficient controlling mechanisms within the area of responsibility.
 Participates in improving of structures, systems and routines that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of programme implementation in general. 
 Ensure a constant capacity building of finance staff in the field on cashbooks, financial procedures and proper supporting documentation for payments. 
 Participate in the preparation of budgets for new project proposals in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team, CDs/PMs and Grants Manager. 
 Liaises with headquarters Desk Finance Officers regarding Regional financial matters. 
 Performs site visits to provide financial control, field finance oversight and staff training. 
 Thorough verification of documents submitted for payment and providing budget codes for Regional Office costs. 
 Accuracy and timeliness of cash books. 
 Ensure that all expenses are in accordance with the donor budgets. 
 Ensure that donor budgets are fully utilized. 
 Control of cash holdings and cash flow. 
 High quality and timely reporting to donors, headquarter etc. 
 Maintenance of a transparent and consequent cost-allocation system for common costs. 
 On-going training and support to Country Directors/Program Directors and relevant project managers. 
 Supervision of finance staff.
 Any other duties as required by the Regional Head of Support Services

Reporting Arrangements
Reports to the Regional Head of Support Services.

Duration
1 year contract with possibility of extension

General Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

Essential qualifications:
 University degree in accounting/management/business administration; Chartered Accountant certification or equivalent relevant education
 Professional financial management background
 Minimum 7 years relevant experience, preferably in an international NGO
 Fluency (written and spoken) in English.
 Previous DRC experience an advantage.

Competencies:
 Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments
 Demonstrated skills in planning, budgetary control, and monitoring performance
 Demonstrated IT skills. Knowledge of Navision an advantage
 Strong communication and inter-personal skills, demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
 Proven ability to manage large and varied workloads, and deal constructively with stress and periods with long hours.
 Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision.
 Pro-active, stable and robust character and a good team-player

Application and CV
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post together with details of current and expected salary. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Regional Finance Manager”, to drcjobs@drchoa.org no later than 25 January, 2012.