Regional Finance Advisor I, EMECA (Global Remote) At Catholic Relief Services

NOTE: This is a global remote position; CRS will give preference to candidates who are based in EMECA countries where we have existing offices.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS works across Europe, Middle east and Central Asia (EMECA) region in the following countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, JWBG, and Afghanistan. With the continuous growth of the region, diversified partnerships and donor resources, and plans to roll our new systems, there is an increasing need to provide EMECA Country Programs (CPs) with sufficient support to continue to further operational excellence, accountability and meet partnership and growth targets.

Job Summary:

The RFA assists the Regional Finance Officer in providing financial management support and expertise to the CPs and is a key contributor to ensuring that the Financial Management Standards of Excellence are achieved throughout the region.

S/he will provide country programs with direct financial support, analysis, and capacity building to ensure CP’s continuous and smooth operation while they are dealing with growth ad complex grant/contract opportunities. This will include, but not limited to support on Insight roll out, advice on budget management, proposal development, orientation of new Finance and Grants compliance staff, facilitate training for finance and non-finance staff at the CP level including sub-office locations; training for partner staff and financial analysis to ensure adequate project management for all projects.

S/he will ensure adequate stewardship of agency resources and sound financial reporting in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), CRS policies and procedures, local laws and donor requirements.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Insight/ORACLE continued implementation

• Be the point person to provide direct support to CPs in the continued learning of insight.
• Support CPs in resolving problems identified or difficulties experienced while working in the different modules of Insight including AP, PPM, EEM, GL and reporting.
• Proactively anticipate and identify challenges faced by CP staff in their day to day work in Insight. Seek for solutions in liaisons with the RFO and HQ finance and help CPs to resolve them.
• Support CPs in rolling out the SCM modules in Insight.
• Provide training and orientation to new staff on Insight concepts, navigation and working in Insight.

Financial Management Support

• Based on needs and conditions, may be called upon to assist the RFO in providing finance training and coaching to newly hired finance officers and Senior /Finance Officers within the region. Training cover such areas as, CRS Accounting Systems, tools and reports, understanding and interpreting CRS Finance policies and procedures.
• In close collaboration with the RFO, provide support in the review of the CPs Annual Program Plan (APP) and the Quarterly Forecast updates.
• Ensure that the region’s board approved budgets and subsequent amendments are correctly recorded in the Accounting System.
• Keep record of all the BMFs done at the region, and point person for managing regional POETs BMFs.
• Work closely with the CPs and RFO, to maintain an updated analysis and action plans that address significant variances between the board approved budgets (BAB), Quarterly Forecasts, Amended Budgets, and actual expenses.
• Review the quarterly KPI report from HQ and coordinate with the CPs FM to develop a detailed action plan to improve country program finance team’s performance.
• Provide remote and in-person TDY assistance, as needed, during emergencies and other contingencies.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports as requested by the RD or RFO
• Review budgets for proposals, analyze budget cost items and make recommendations as part of the proposal development team.
• Work in an on-the-job training and mentorship capacity training for country programs to build staff capacity on proposal development.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent). MBA or Master’s degree in related field with a focus on Accounting preferred. A professional certification in Accounting or a related field highly preferred.
• Minimum of five years experience in a similar position, preferably with an International NGO.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.

Required Languages

Excellent English plus one of the languages in the region (e.g. Arabic) language skills, oral and written communication skills required.

Travel– The position requires 60% travel within the region in areas with limited amenities, as well as attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops, when requested

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Very good planning, monitoring and organizational skills
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations highly preferred.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of local law in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Staff management experience.
• Strong experience in presenting and facilitating on financial management topics.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of financial reporting software highly preferred

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance team members

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global remote, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer