BACKGROUND:

In 2007, the IRC began providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and crisis-affected people in Jordan in response to an influx of Iraqi refugees and the strain on host communities. Following the eruption of the Syrian war in 2011, hundreds of thousands of refugees crossed into Jordan. The ongoing insecurity in Syria and the growing needs of refugees have strained Jordan’s resources and infrastructure and exacerbated pre-existing issues like water scarcity and high unemployment.

As resources become more limited, refugees and host communities have fewer economic opportunities and become more vulnerable. The IRC’s strategy for Jordan shows our commitment to improving the safety, health, education, and economic well-being of people affected by conflict, in camp-based (Za’atari camp) refugees and urban-based refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanian host community, in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan. Simultaneously, IRC in Jordan is pivoting to a more long-term resilience/development programming responding to the context in Jordan and the worsening vulnerabilities faced by refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.

SCOPE OF WORK:

As a member of the Country Program Senior Management Team, the Senior Finance Coordinator provides financial leadership and management necessary to ensure that the country program has the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the strategic vision and mission of the organization. The Senior Finance Coordinator will contribute to the development of the country programs strategic and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review.  The position is responsible for the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting management of the Country Program. Emphasis will be placed on financial management policies, practices and systems that are aligned with local laws and US as well as adhering to donor requirements but are also conducive to effective implementation of country programs.

The Senior Finance Coordinator will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Senior Management team and Country Director, Regional staff as well as conforming to IRCs financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.

Based in Jordan, this position will have dual reporting to the Country Director and the Regional Finance Director for MENA.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategic Planning & Analysis

·         Provides financial information which supports the Country Director and SMT in making business decisions in line with IRC, Regional & Country Program strategies.

·         Provides strategic analysis on the overall financial health of the country program to the CD and SMT.

·         Contributes and provides feedback to the development of the Country Programs Strategic Annual Plan.

Controllership

·         Ensures that all in-country practices are in compliance with IRC and donor policies and procedures.

·         Establishes in-country finance procedures to supplement global policies as needed.

·         Closely monitors financial activities and advises the Country Director on financial performance of the office, issues with internal controls or financial management.

·         Ensures monthly balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a timely basis.

·         Manages the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by headquarters and donors.

·         Identifies requirements for and develops reporting formats to aid in the management of country operations and grant expenditures.

·         Directs the preparation of and approves all donor financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Country Director and Regional Controller prior to submission.

·         Ensures in-country internal control reviews of operations are regularly undertaken.

·         Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits.

·         Leads all aspects of the protection of the country’s assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) through the enforcement of internal control policies and procedures.

·         Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and aligns with tax and other legal requirements.

·         Is the principal liaison with IRC HQ on all finance, accounting, grant budget management, and cash management.

Training & Staff Management

·         Establishes a finance department roles and responsibilities matrix; staff job descriptions are current; recruits and maintains qualified staff to perform finance functions.

·         Ensure comprehensive and constructive performance reviews are completed annually; career planning and development plans are in place for all finance staff.

·         Develops and implements a training program for the country’s finance staff.

·         Oversee finance training and technical support to non-finance staff for skills improvement in the areas of accounting, reporting and internal control.

Treasury

·         Supervises all country program bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates.

·         Oversee the review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations.

·         Maintain on the current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments which obligate IRC to future spending.

·         Ensure that appropriate balances are maintained to facilitate grant implementation and cash held in headquarters is drawn regularly.

·         Ensures the development and implementation of a plan to minimize the country’s foreign exchange exposure to currency gains and losses.

·         Supervises the collection of contractual and other receivables.

Budget/Forecast

·         Oversee the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets; supports programs with guidance on costing and input in creating budgets for submission.

·         Prepares and maintains the country’s annual operating budget; ensures cost coverage for in-country operating costs and updates the operating budget regularly.

·         Presents and facilitates the review of actual budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers.