Finance Manager (Cluster of Chad, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic)

Job Summary:

The Finance Manager ensures a high level of resource stewardship, strict financial accountability and financial risk management while also managing the effectiveness and robustness of the following countries: Chad, Cameroon and Central Africa Republic, and relevant partners’ financial management systems, processes, and practices in support of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. The Finance Manager anticipates and manages financial management services needs and delivery challenges, and identifies and implements improvement solutions, as needed, to minimize CP and partners’ exposure to financial risk.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and manage financial processes in accordance with policies and local laws. 
• Provide proactive service delivery, advice, and support to managers, staff, and subrecipients in relation to managing the whole project cycle (Design, Start-up, Implementation, Close-out), ensuring efficiency and compliance with CRS’ policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements.
• Provide direction and coordination of effective budget development and management (Annual Program Plans and project budgets), ensuring accuracy and consistency of financial data and safeguarding of resources.
• Ensure integrity of accounting information by reviewing account issues for compliance and establishing quality control over accounting transactions and financial reporting. Oversee maintenance of supporting documentation for a reliable and easy to follow audit trail.
• Lead the preparation of accurate financial data, analysis, and projections. Support the Senior Management Teams and Program/Project Managers across three countries in interpreting data for decision-making and effectively managing financial risks.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise, including close engagement and remote supervision of team members across the 3 countries. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailored individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. 
• Oversee the performance of accurate reporting procedures and timely submission of reports to relevant stakeholders (CO/PO managers, Regional Office, Global Finance, donors, local government entities).
• Lead assessments of staff and subrecipients’ financial management capacity, ensure capacity strengthening on finance policies and regulations, as needed, and monitor and measure impact. 
• Lead efforts to close audit financial management findings in a timely and sustainable way. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent). 
• Minimum of 6 years' experience in a similar position; additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field with a focus on accounting preferred. 
• A professional certification in accounting or a related field is highly preferred.
• Experience in an International NGO.
• Experience with Knowledge of relevant public donors’ regulations is highly preferred.
• Experience with financial reporting software highly preferred
• Experience managing a team of finance professionals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in Oracle ERP as well as MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), and Web Conferencing Applications. 
• Strong experience in presenting and facilitating trainings on financial management topics.
• Knowledge of local law in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Staff management experience.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Very good planning, monitoring and organizational skills
• Ability to act ethically in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Ability to leverage a proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Required Languages – English and French

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 35%. 

Supervisory Responsibilities - Yes

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

 

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world. 

 

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

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, 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 committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

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.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.