Consultant - Financial Systems Review, Benchmarking, and Alignment under One Program Approach (OPA) with Localization Focusnew

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), as the host National Society, leads humanitarian action in Lebanon. Multiple Partner National Societies (PNSs) operate using varied financial and operational systems.
LRC has already initiated a mapping of partner systems and internal processes. However, in light of evolving international financial standards, compliance requirements, and localization priorities, there is a need to:
• Update and validate the existing mapping.
• Benchmark LRC financial systems against current best practices and Movement
standards.
• Identify gaps in alignment between LRC and partners.
• Analyze discrepancies across partners (e.g., why some partners meet standards while
others do not).
This assignment will support strengthening financial governance, accountability, and host National Society leadership under the One Program Approach (OPA).

Objectives
The consultant will:
1. Conduct a comprehensive financial review of LRC systems (Finance & Accounting as a
priority, with linkages to HR, Logistics, and Procurement where relevant).
2. Update and validate the existing mapping of Partner National Societies’ systems against LRC frameworks.
3. Benchmark LRC financial systems against best international standards, ensuring
relevance to today’s operational and compliance environment.
4. Analyze gaps and discrepancies, including:
o Why LRC may not fully meet certain standards (if applicable).
o Factors influencing varying levels of alignment with the benchmarking framework, including donor requirements, headquarters policies, operational modalities, system configurations, and internal governance arrangements.
5. Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen alignment, improve financial systems, and ensure partners adopt best processes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting
• Review LRC financial policies, procedures, and systems.
• Assess alignment with best international standards (audit, compliance, donor
requirements).
• Evaluate:
o Budget consolidation under OPA.
o Financial tracking systems and tools.
o Reporting cycles and compliance.
o Documentation and audit trails.
• Identify gaps in practice versus standards and propose practical improvements.

Comparative Partner Analysis
• Update existing mapping of PNS financial systems.
• Categorize partners based on level of alignment (high, medium, low).
• Conduct comparative analysis, including:
o Partners that meet standards vs. those that do not.
o Practices that enable compliance (good practices).
o Constraints preventing alignment.

Cross-Functional Linkages
Where relevant, assess how financial processes interact with:
• Procurement (compliance, documentation, supplier payments)
• Logistics (inventory valuation, tracking)
• HR (payroll, staff cost allocation)

Scope of Work
Financial Systems Review (LRC)
• Review existing financial frameworks, SOPs, and tools.
• Benchmark against up-to-date international
• Identify strengths, gaps, and risks.

Mapping Update and Validation
• Review previously conducted mapping exercises.
• Validate accuracy with current practices.
• Update alignment scoring based on latest data.

Comparative Analysis
• Conduct a structured comparison between:
o LRC vs. international standards.
o Partner vs. LRC systems.
o Partner vs. partner practices.

•Highlight reasons for misalignment and enabling factors for compliance.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Recommendations
• Provide:
o Practical recommendations for LRC system strengthening.
o Partner-specific alignment actions.
o Priority actions based on risk and impact.

• Ensure recommendations are feasible, localized, and reinforce LRC leadership.

Deliverables
1. Financial Systems Assessment Report (LRC):
Benchmarking against current international and Movement standards.
2. Updated Mapping Report:
Validated and revised mapping of partner financial systems.
3. Comparative Analysis Report:
o LRC vs. standards
o Partner vs. LRC
o Partner vs. partner
Including gap analysis and root causes.
4. Recommendations Matrix:
Clear, prioritized actions for LRC and partners.
5. Presentation to Leadership:
Key findings, comparisons, and strategic recommendations.6. Methodology
• Desk review of financial policies, reports, and prior mapping.
• Interviews with LRC finance staff and partner representatives.
• Validation workshops.
• Use of updated benchmarking frameworks aligned with current global standards.
• Comparative and evidence-based analysis.
7. Duration and Timeline

Phase Duration Key Activities
- Financial Review (LRC) 4 weeks : System assessment, benchmarking
- Mapping Update 3–4 weeks:  Validate and update partner mapping
- Comparative Analysis 2–3 weeks: Gap analysis and cross-partner comparison
- Reporting & Presentation 1–2 weeks:  Final deliverables

Education

Advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in financial assessments, audits, or system
strengthening.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Strong knowledge of current international financial standards and donor compliance
frameworks.
• Experience with different Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
• Experience with UN agencies is a strong asset.
• Proven experience in comparative analysis and system benchmarking.
• Ability to produce practical, actionable, and context-adapted recommendations.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

 

Submission:

- Resume

- Expression of Interest: 1-3 page technical and one page financial proposals as per below guidelines.

Resume, Technical and Financial proposals to be submitted by email addressed to: Hussein.shamas@ifrc.org by October 15, 2026.

Interviews may form part of the selection process, if necessary, after analysis of the technical and financial proposals.

Technical Proposal

- Provide understanding of tasks as indicated in the TOR.

- Share the documentation of previous work done as relates in recent 5 years.

- Tentative workplan with working days for main activities and dates for milestones.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal should include all costs necessary for the consultant (including direct fees and reimbursable costs for expenses incurred) to effectively complete the tasks as per the TOR.

The table below is as a guide for costs in USD.

#	Description of costs	Unit	Rate	Amount
1.	Preparatory Costs
2.	Actual Consultancy costs
3.	Other Costs – specify
	Total

IFRC Disclaimer

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!