Regional Finance Support Officer, CARO At Catholic Relief Services

Title: Regional Finance Support Officer, CARO
Job Description:

Job Title: Regional Finance Support Officer
Job Type: Regular, Full Time
Job Location: Telecommuter, in country of residence
Reports to: CARO Regional Finance Officer
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 Central Africa in the following 10 countries: Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Benin, Togo, Burundi, Rwanda, Central Africa Republic, Cameroon and Chad.
Job Summary:
The RFSO assists the Regional Finance Officer in providi ng financial management support and expertise to the CARO country programs 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 CARO projects.
S/he will ensure adequate stewardship of agency resources and sound financial reporting in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), CRS polic ies and procedures, local laws and donor requirements.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
Business Development

• Serve as the Cost Lead for large BD opportunities as needed
• Support CPs as needed to prepare budgets and various sections of the cost proposal as well as review sub-grant/subcontract budgets and cost proposal materials prior to submission to the donor.
• Review budgets for proposals, analyze budget cost items and make recommendations as part of the proposal development team.
• Ensure compliance with terms and conditions of the RFA’s and other donor proposal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal regulations and restrictions and internal policy.
• Participates in proposal reviews and After-Action Reviews, incorporating lessons into best practice guidelines and related job tools.
• Work in an on-the-job training and mentorship capacity training for country programs to build staff capacity on proposal development.
• Assist CPs to develop startup plans and coordinate startups for new projects in close coordination with the RFO

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 R2 and R3 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 CARO 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.
• 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 FAST report from HQ and coordinate with the CPs FM to develop a detailed action plan to improve country program finance team’s performance.
• Provide TDY assistance, as needed, during emergencies and other contingencies.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports as requested by the RD or RFO
• Serve as Acting RFO when needed.

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 and French language oral and written communication skills required.
Travel – The position requires 50% travel within the CARO region in areas with limited amenities, as well as attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops, when requested

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

Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance team members
Internal: Regional Director, Regional Finance Officer, RTA Compliance and Risk Management, Deputy Regional Director/MQ, Deputy Regional Director/PQ, Country Representatives, Heads of Programming and Heads of Operation; HQ and Country Program Finance and Business Development Staff.
External: Donors, Partners, Peer Organizations and Prime Recipients.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.