Mozambique: Finance Delegate

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional, country cluster teams and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The southern Africa Cluster Office based in Pretoria, South Africa provides representation supports to the ten National Societies (NS) of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia. South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Based on IFRC mandate. Cyclone Idai made landfall on the evening of 15 March 2019 in the port city of Beira located in Sofala Province of Central Mozambique. The cyclone wreaked havoc on Beira and surrounding areas resulting in loss of communication, important damage and destruction to shelter and settlements, health and WASH facilities and thousands of hectares of standing crops, communication infrastructures and as well as loss of life and injury. In response, the IFRC launched a CHF 31 million-dollar, 24-month appeal seeking to support over 200,000 people in the areas of health, shelter, WASH, Protection Gender and Inclusion and National Society Development. The IFRC has established a large operational structure working with CVM (Mozambique Red Cross Society) to implement the operation.

Job Purpose

The Finance Delegate is responsible for leading a finance team in the provision of accounting services, ensuring financial control, financial reporting, training and providing advice and support to relevant stakeholders within a comprehensive financial management structure of Mozambique Cyclone Idai emergency operation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the funds and financial assets of the sub delegation under the overall direction of the Head of Sub-delegation. This will include cash flow and cost control management as well as the management of payments, cashier, bank signatory and payroll functions.
• Ensure MoU’s and project agreements are in place for all national society working advance, follow up on dormant WA and ensure flow of expenditure clearance from delegates and national staff working advance.
• Record and report separately on Mozambique Cyclone Idai emergency operation financial commitments (external MoUs, pipeline purchase orders, program commitments, etc.) and be fully aware of possible commitments and planned ventures.
• Track monitor and follow up on delegation income and pledges, identify overdue pledge payments or dormant pledges and indicate underspending and the requirements for possible time frame extensions. Ensure that all donor reporting requirements (financial) are met within the deadlines, and the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of the reports are maintained. Eliminate any dormant projects.
• Ensure timely submission of PEAR ceiling to avoid expenditure above PEAR/or Budget, monitor and follow up on soft pledge to avoid project/pledge level deficits, and prepare accurate forecast/cash request management to avoid financial losses due to foreign exchange.
• Monitoring of stock accounting, balance sheet monthly check-up, asset & liabilities, commitment accounting and construction accounting.
• Managing cash disbursement process by ensuring adequate control mechanism are in place to ensure transparency of the process and supporting documents.
• Coordinate and compile budget prepared by programme managers on FedBudget, provide advice to head of operation/and programme managers on budgetary role and training on FedBudget.
• Train, support and advice programme managers/officers in financial management of their respective project management cycle.
• Train, support and advice the National Society in financial and administrative matter related to clearance of working advance.
• Coordinate with Administration & Logistics on the purchases/procurements and ensure supporting documents are in compliance with Federation financial procedure. (eg. CoC, CBA, 3 Quotations, Authorisation, etc.)
• Line manages, recruit, advise, support and train the locally-hired finance staff of the sub-delegation.
• Facilitate the payment process of accommodation, vehicle and fleet management, MSA & per diems, visas and travel arrangements for delegates and visitors and work closely with office administrator.
• Maintain accurate registers of the assets and property of the delegation, and ensure the accurate office systems are in place and maintained.
• Prepare monthly financial analysis report for delegation and provide timely advise on financial risk and exposure of project management.
• Ensure accurate month end closing for the delegation and timely submission of field returns.
• Monitor the budget of the delegation and ensure accurate accounting, authorisation & internal control procedures. Investigate and address significant variances.
• Ensure accurate accounting & timely submission of supplementary services invoices
• In corporate risk management framework & control mechanism in the operation, and also provide training and disseminate the procedure on Fraud and Corruption prevention and control policy.
• Provide bi-weekly reports/and skype meetings with Finance Coordinator based in Maputo.

Education

• Relevant university degree

• Professional qualification in accounting or equivalent

• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management, etc.)

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in an international financial role

• Minimum of 2 years work experience with an International Organisation, international non-governmental organization, NGO and/or government development agency

• Volunteering or working within the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement

• Management of a team with a minimum of 3 direct reports

• Developing budgets, plans and financial analysis

• Management of an accounting services function

• Communicating financial results to managers

• Preparation for, conduct of and/or support to external financial audit

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Fluently spoken and written English

• Good command of Spanish/Portuguese is mandatory

• Ability to lead and manage in a diverse cultural context

• Highly organised/time management

• Effective team management, often from a distance

• Advanced skills in computer productivity applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

• Advanced knowledge of accounting concepts

• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards or equivalent

• Advanced knowledge of financial management and reporting applications (e.g. CODA and Business Objects )

• Understanding of treasury management concepts

• Financial management skills

• Ability to effectively provide training on financial management matters

Competencies and values

• Focus on results and accountability

• Professional command

• Teamwork Comments

https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=30515