Assistant Finance Controller at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Assistant Finance Controller

Requisition ID: req17244
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-Time
Sector: Finance
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Summary Statement of Responsibilities

• The Assistant Finance Controller assists the Deputy Director Finance by managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting unit.
• At the discretion of the Country Director the Assistant Finance Controller will assume some or all of the Controller responsibilities when the DDF is absent.

Specific Responsibilities

• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day accounting operations and financial management functions of Abuja, Yobe and Adamawa States are performed in accordance with IRC and country office policy and procedures.
• The incumbent is also responsible to oversee the month end closing and treasury management.
• The AFC represents the DDF in Adamawa & Yobe and sits in all coordination meetings, BVA panel and work very closely with the DDFM, SPCs, Field Coordinators and Senior Area Managers. Specific responsibilities within each functional area are as follows:

SUN Processing:

• Control over and/or entry of changes to the Chart of Accounts, Analysis Codes and Exchange Rates
• Performing or supervising the posting of entries ensuring proper controls are enforced and appropriate systems in place to maintain all required supporting documentation.
• Production of required monthly and ad hoc reports.
• Developing expertise to control the system, develop new reports and be able to train staff in processing of data.
• Ensuring budgets are loaded on a timely basis.
• Ensuring a backup and retention procedure is in place and followed for all SUN master files.

Donor Reports:

• Preparation of draft donor reports for review by the Deputy Director Finance
• Analysis of actual to budget results to identify problems in accounting or compliance
• Identification of procedural or training issues to be addressed to improve the quality of report data.
• Preparation of the creation of detail level budgets in IRC SUN format to ensure required donor reports can be produced form the accounting system

Field Office Training & Support:

• Acting as the primary liaison for the Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe office finance staff for policy or procedure questions
• Ensure the review of financial data submitted by Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe states offices to identify weaknesses or problems being encountered by Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe states finance staff and recommend corrective action.
• In conjunction with the Deputy Director Finance developing or revising policy and procedures and assists in the implementation.
• By frequent visits to the deep field offices providing training to finance staff on IRC accounting procedures and requirements, assists the Senior Area Managers and program staff in finance related issues and activities.

Balance Sheet Accounts:

• Supervising or performing all balance sheet account reconciliations on a timely basis
• Ensuring differences or discrepancies are brought to the attention of the FC and that appropriate action is taken.
• Recommending standard formats for reconciliation’s and/or procedures to improve the underlying accounting, control, or processing of transactions to minimize errors or omissions.

Procurement Accounting:

• The review of and accounting for procurement transactions to ensure adequate supporting documentation, accuracy of amounts and control over payments
• Providing input to Purchase Request approvals to ensure commitments are considered before further purchases approved
• Primary responsibility for liaison with logistics/procurement.

Cash/Bank – Processing:

• Supervision of the processing of bank and cash transactions of Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe states
• Ensuring internal control procedures are followed for all cash disbursements, receipts and transfers

Cash Forecasting:

• Ensure preparation of cash forecasts for Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe states
• Monitoring cash usage and requirements and advises the Deputy Director Finance of possible unusual activity or requirements
• Working with field and program coordinators to help them develop more accurate cash forecasts

Cost Accounting:

• Providing recommendations for cost allocation systems in accordance with donor regulations
• Assisting in or reviewing physical inventory counts and ensuring proper valuation and accounting for inventory or supply items.

National Payroll:

• Supervise the processing of the national payroll for Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe state ensuring standard financial controls are maintained.
• Supervise the preparation of the necessary related accounting entries including salary allocations for Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe states
• Ensure all statutory deductions are remitted on time to Abuja, Adamawa & Yobe state governments.

Internal Audit:

• Internal audit activities as required by the Deputy Director Finance
• Reviews of controls and monitoring of compliance with established procedures.
• Preparation of written reports for review by the DDF which identify key issues and provide recommendations for improving control processes or procedures

Budgets:

• Assisting in the preparation and maintenance of the country’s Operating Budget to ensure data is complete and maintained on a timely basis.
• Assisting in the development and preparation of cost allocation processes for overarching costs that comply with donor regulations on allowable costs.
• Working with program staff to prepare grant budgets to support new proposals or realignments to ensure adequate coverage of country operating costs and NY direct and indirect costs.
• Review of actual vs. budget results to ensure maximum utilization of budgeted amounts and to provide recommendations for realignments as required.
• Supervise and review proposal budgets, financial reports prepared by direct reports (or as assigned by DDF through grant allocation)

Qualifications
Education

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting (CPA or equivalent certification would be preferred).

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience and three (3) years managerial experience.
• Experienced with various PC and financial related software (spreadsheets, accounting packages).
• Working experience within IRC finance in the capacity of Assistant Finance Controller and consortium/partnership financial management is advantageous.
• Must have a proven track record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions.
• Committed to staff capacity building and effective at facilitation.
• Familiarity with FCDO, BHA, SIDA, ECHO, EU, GIZ, GAC rules and regulations is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to function comfortably in a loosely structured but complex work environment, working and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) in English with program staff, management and employees
• Comfortable making decisions.
• Good supervisory, time management and interpersonal skills
• Very good in handling multiple tasks and good in delegation.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Equality 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.