As part of a global Strategic Framework on Finance Development (FD) between the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross), the parties are recruiting a country Finance Development Delegate to be based in Sanaa, Yemen to ensure support to Yemen Red Crescent National Society (NS) to develop and strengthen effective financial systems and management. This should constitute a key contribution to enable the Yemen Red Crescent Society to become a strong, self-sustained and accountable humanitarian actor and improve humanitarian outcomes.
The purpose of the Finance Development Delegate (FD Delegate) is to ensure support to the Yemen Red Crescent National Society (NS) to develop effective financial management systems, aligned with overall Movement Partner’s plans for National Society Development (NSD) support and established agreements. The FD Delegate will support the NS in all aspects of finance development (FD) initiatives as set out in the job description, and as per the specific project proposal to be developed by the NS. The FD Delegate ensures sound technical quality of the supported FD project, in line with established technical standards and best practices. This should constitute a key contribution to enable the NS to become a strong, self-sustained and accountable humanitarian actor and improve humanitarian outcomes.
Strategic Responsibilities:
- Ensure that the support provided to the NS on Finance Development is designed and implemented in line with established technical standards and project management methodologies and support the operationalization of those standards.
- Ensure that the support provided is based on and in line with the NS needs and strategic priorities and part of the overall support provided to the NS by ICRC and other movement partners, to enhance the development of the National Society and its humanitarian outcomes.
- Contribute proactively with other technical personnel to ICRCs and NorCross global efforts to establish and operationalize technical approaches and standards in finance development.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Conducts technical FD assessments and scoping missions as requested and contributes technically, together with the NS, to the development of a project proposal including specific objectives, budget, Plan of Action (PoA) and monitoring plan.
- Support the NS to plan, implement and develop their financial management systems as agreed in the project plan.
- Provides trainings and coaches NS project staff on the operationalization of established technical standards and when challenges arise during the implementation.
- Acts as the expert in FD to ensure the provision of technical support and advice to NS’ leadership, Finance and Audit team to ensure the enhanced development and improved management of Finance and Audit units
- Based on identified needs support the re-structuring/improvement of the finance function, processes, systems and procedures, including but not limited to review of current financial controls, rules and procedures, budget planning, reporting, accounting systems practices and management regulations.
- Supports regular follow up of the monitoring plan for the project: providing recommendations and assistance on improvements and following up on the implementation.
- Support the NS with data collection and provides technical support to the narrative reporting for the project.
- Helps disseminate the improved financial management controls and mechanisms at all levels of the NSs – Headquarters, Zones, Branches and Division offices, ensuring that financial information of all activities is identified and captured in the overall NSs’ financial records and systems through the enforcement of reconciliation practices.
- Together with the NS Finance Coordinator and Finance Manager ensures that consolidated annual financial statements are prepared and audited on a timely basis.
- Supports the NS in developing and effectively implementing Staff and volunteers’ code of conduct, and fraud and anti-corruption policies.
- Organizes technical reviews upon request and contributes to terms of reference and inception reports for a final review or evaluation of the project.
Collaboration:
- Fosters good relationship and works closely together with the NSs leadership, Finance Managers and finance staff and other technically relevant staff within the NS
- Liaises, as needed, with other staff from relevant NSs’ departments, a.o. within Human Resources, Procurement, Logistics and PMER.
- Works in close coordination with other relevant Movement partners working in NSD and FD, regionally or at country level as required.
- Works closely together and participates in technical networks (FD and NSD) with other technical colleagues from NorCross, ICRC and other Movement Partners at global, regional and country level as relevant and requested. Helps colleagues to understand and make use of available technical tools and standards.
- Promotes harmonization across delegation’s structures, as well as at regional and country level with other movement partners, by promoting use of common standards and tools, also contributing to learning events and sharing of best practices.
Mission Specific Responsibilities:
- Assesses the current skills and competencies of the finance staff of the Yemen Red Crescent Society and identifies and addresses gaps as required.
- Trains, supports and advices the Yemen Red Crescent Society’s finance staff (including at branch level if relevant) on financial and administrative issues, including budgeting, as required.
- Involved in the identification and selection of suitable accounting software for the Yemen Red Crescent, as required, or in the effective implementation of existing ones.
- Reviews and suggests ways to improve programme budget preparation, control, reporting procedures and cash flow management, as may be required to facilitate the process of developing appropriate finance work plans.
- Coordinates the standardization of effective Financial Management systems in the Yemen Red Crescent Society and cut off timelines. This includes standard reporting financial formats and consolidation of budgets of the Yemen Red Crescent Society from all funding sources i.e. Partners and NSs’ internal sources.
- As required, supports the Yemen Red Crescent Society’s finance department with the development or updating of the financial manual and dissemination of the finance manual and internal control procedures, and ensure its compliance in functional terms.
- Supports the Yemen Red Crescent Society in developing its core cost budget or updating the existing core cost budget and cost recovery mechanism.
- Supports the Yemen Red Crescent Society’s staff to following up with the external auditors, to develop an audit response plan and steps for addressing issues raised in the management letter.
- Any other specific tasks related to FD context within Yemen Red Crescent Society.
Education:
- University degree in Finance/Accountancy and preferably Development studies.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience of coaching, facilitating, managing and/or supporting staff.
- Experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation preferably in a developing/conflict country/context, with a minimum 2 years of experience within the Movement (preferably an NS)
- Broad experience in Financial Management (senior finance management or similar positions. with experience from several relevant areas like financial planning, accounting, investments etc.).
- Strong organisational development background (e.g. change management, HR, leadership, strategy development and implementation).
Skills and Knowledge:
- In-depth understanding of relevant technical financial standards and the operationalization of those standards in humanitarian projects.
- Proven experience from project management, including needs assessments project design, and reporting.
- High degree of competencies in strategic thinking and design, knowledge sharing, advising and facilitating, management of self; coaching; mentoring and facilitation. Training and facilitating experience in international/ multicultural environment is an asset.
- Knowledge about building technical capacities of partner organizations.
- Proficiency required in English and Arabic language (written and spoken).
- Advanced understanding of the use of innovative tools and approaches in relevant technical discipline, is an asset
- Fully familiar with software applications- windows, spreadsheets, word processing, accounting packages.
Personal Qualifications:
- Very good ability to take initiative and accept responsibility
- Very good ability to work towards achieving objectives and results.
- Very good ability to cooperate in teams and share competency
- Very good ability to develop and coach others
- Commitment to RCRC movement principles and values
Reporting to:
Country Programme Manager, Yemen
Position is based in:
Sanaa, Yemen
Contract length:
12 months
Why should you apply?
- Meaningful: You`ll be a part of the world’s largest humanitarian organization, reaching the most vulnerable people in their local community.
- Impact: You will help National Societies in the region to become strong, self-sustained and accountable humanitarian actors.
- Career: You will be connected to an international organization with staff based all over the world
- A great place to work: You will work in a multicultural environment with hard-working, dedicated and fun colleagues with a strong culture of collaboration, continual improvement, and celebration of wins.
Norwegian Red Cross striving to build a working culture based on respect, honesty and generosity.
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