Emergency Finance & Systems Manager
Working with the world’s poorest people to transform their lives. Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. We work in partnership with the very poorest people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using our knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at a local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty.
Job Title: Emergency Finance & Systems Manager
Reports to: Head of Emergency Unit, Relevant Emergency or Country Director when deployed to an emergency in an existing field
Liaises with: The Emergency Unit, Finance, Logistics, & IT Departments
Contract Details: 2 year fixed term contract
Pay Band: Pay Band 5: €41,281 - €48,151
Job Summary:
To establish and manage essential support functions in keeping with Concern’s policies and procedures. This may include the management of the administrative, HR, logistical, IT, communications and financial systems, and having overall responsibility for the programme’s accounting procedures.
Job Background:
The Emergency Finance & Systems Manager is part of Concern’s Emergency Response Team (ERT). The ERT has been established to ensure that experienced staff are available to deploy to a new emergency at 24 hours’ notice and to rapidly identify and establish programme interventions – either directly or through partners. In periods between deployments, ERT staff may be asked to complete evaluations, contribute to training workshops, and to give support to function-related work being undertaken within the organisation.
The ERT staff must be flexible, prepared to work in a wide range of countries, and be able to adapt their skills to different operations including conducting assessments, setting up of projects, and training replacement staff.
Emergency response is the primary function of the ERT and pre-existing workloads should not delay deployments.
Once deployed, ERT staff report to the Country Director in an existing field, or the appointed Regional Director for emergencies in any new countries for which a Country Director has yet to be appointed.
Staff on the ERT should be deployed for a maximum period of six months at a time.
Main duties & Responsibilities:
Managing the establishment of financial support services and structures consistent with Concern policy and procedures
Providing support to the establishment of administration, human resources, transport, stores, logistics, communications and IT support systems and structures. It is envisaged that these systems will be established by the HR, Logistics and IT staff deployed in response to the emergency
Supervising and managing the accounts function
Preparing all financial reports requested by the Emergency or Country Director
Providing reports to Dublin and external funding agencies as required
Contributing to the development of emergency funding proposals and ensuring that a thorough review of the final draft is completed before submission to the donor
Ensuring all emergency funding grants are mapped to Concern’s Chart of Accounts in conjunction with the relevant budget holders before spending commences
Compiling and submitting budgets and budget revisions to Dublin on time
Commenting on budget variances and determine corrective action in conjunction with budget holders
Establishing internal control systems to minimise the risk of misappropriation
Engaging in the financial assessment and monitoring of local partner organisations to ensure that we remain accountable for funds/resources channelled through them
Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the funds and other resources employed by the organisation
Coordinating and safeguarding the cash management function; ensuring adequate cash flow is forecast and requested from Dublin and that any Cash for Work payments and other routine payments are made in an appropriate and secure manner, minimising risk to Concern funds and staff
Recruiting, training and developing national staff working in finance/accounts
Liaising closely with the logistics staff
Conducting training with staff on Concern systems particularly procurement procedures (also with staff of partner organisations if appropriate)
With Head Office consultation and approval, identify a suitable government-backed banking institution to open Concern bank accounts with (if in a new country)
In consultation with the Emergency Director, identifying a reputable auditor firm either in-country or externally (if in a new country)
In conjunction with the HR and Administration Manager, identifying a legal advisor so as to ensure that all contracts, lease agreements etc. are in line with local labour law
In conjunction with the HR and Administration Manager, overseeing the locating of suitable office(s), residences, stores, transport, etc.
Ensuring that procedures used in all locations are consistent with overall management guidelines and facilitate the effective control and efficient use of the organisation’s resources (this may include supporting partner organisations where appropriate)
In conjunction with the HR and Administration Manager, managing the Concern registration process if in a new country
In conjunction with the HR and Administration Manager, managing the drawing up of a set of appropriate security guidelines and a country Security Management Plan (SMP) at an early stage of interventions and disseminating them
Ensuring that a security management structure is established in a manner consistent with organisational security policy and practice
As part of the management team, to be involved in the establishment and development of the emergency programme
Assisting the Emergency or Country Director in the preparation of situation reports, i.e. security, personnel, systems, etc.
Overseeing the management of the budget for the various support functions
Networking with local government authorities, NGOs and UN, etc.
Update and maintain the Emergency Finance Manual to ensure it is in line with Concern’s global financial operating procedures
Person specification: Education
A relevant third level qualification is essential, together with some theoretical knowledge of the principles and practices of organisational management, emergency preparedness and response
ACA/ACCA/CIMA accredited
Essential
At least two years’ relevant accounting experience
Experience of working in emergencies, of which at least one year should have been at management level
Knowledge of financial systems (budgets/management account preparation)
Knowledge of institutional donor guidelines such as EU, ECHO, USAID and UN Agencies, and specifically of the issues in relation to the need for pre-approval from some UN agencies (such as Unicef) when seeking funding under the cluster or pooled funding mechanisms
Experience of working in an insecure environment.
Familiarity with Sphere and Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy
Desirable
Knowledge of challenges of working with and through local partners in emergency situations
Experience of programme planning and monitoring
Knowledge of the emergency guidelines of Concern’s main emergency donors
Knowledge of Microsoft Great Plains
Familiarity with Concern systems
Knowledge of HF/VHF radio systems
Special skills • Flexibility and the ability to direct a multi-cultural team • Commitment to working with a value-based organisation • Language and diplomacy skills • Good interpersonal and communication skills • Good organisation, planning and management skills • Ability to work under pressure
Or any other criteria which we deem to be appropriate for the role.
Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.
Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year. Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).
Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant. For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.
Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
All applications should be submitted through our website at www.concern.net/jobs by closing date: 6th January 2012
No comments: