Global Surge Team Roster: Finance Controller

International Rescue Committee - New York, NY

Full-time

New York, NY

Social Assistance

About the position

The Finance Controller at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) plays a crucial role in providing technical assistance to field programs and staff regarding financial processes and procedures. This includes treasury management, controllership, and budget management support. The position is part of the Global Surge Team (GST), which consists of highly qualified humanitarian professionals who are deployed on short notice to support the IRC's mission in various contexts, both emergency and non-emergency. Members of the GST are expected to be available for deployments for up to 50% of the year, with the possibility of additional deployments based on interest. In this role, the Finance Controller will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Deputy Director Finance at the country or program office until a permanent staff member is identified and trained. This includes closely monitoring financial activities, advising the Country Director on financial performance, ensuring timely completion of monthly balance sheet reconciliations, managing finance department activities to meet reporting requirements, and facilitating audits. The Finance Controller will also maintain knowledge of local government financial requirements and ensure compliance with tax and legal obligations. Additionally, the Finance Controller will deploy to various country or program offices to act as surge finance staff, leading budget developments and contributing to other financial activities as needed. This includes overseeing the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets, maintaining the annual operating budget, and presenting actual versus budget expenditures to the Country Director and program managers. The role also involves assisting with the onboarding of new finance staff, providing training on IRC financial procedures, and supporting the rollout of new ERP systems as necessary. The Finance Controller must stay updated on changes in IRC financial policy and systems, ensuring that all financial practices align with organizational standards.

Responsibilities

• Temporarily assume the position of the country or program office's Deputy Director Finance until a permanent staff can be identified and trained.
• Closely monitor financial activities and advise the Country Director on financial performance of the office, issues with internal controls or financial management.
• Ensure monthly balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a timely basis.
• Manage the finance department activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by headquarters and donors.
• Ensure in-country internal control reviews of operations are regularly undertaken.
• Facilitate external, internal, donor or government audits.
• Maintain current knowledge of local government requirements related to finance and comply with tax and other legal requirements.
• Deploy to country or program offices to act as a surge finance staff, lead budget developments, and contribute to other financial activities as needed.
• Oversee the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets; support programs with guidance on costing and inputs in creating budgets for submission.
• Prepare and maintain the country's annual operating budget; ensure cost coverage for in-country operating costs and update the operating budget regularly.
• Present and facilitate the review of actual to budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers.
• Assist field offices with onboarding for the new Deputy Director of Finance and/or Finance Manager as required.
• Provide training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding IRC financial procedures and internal controls.
• Work with the Regional Finance Directors, Deputy Director Finance and Country Director to develop the job descriptions and Terms of Reference (TOR) of various finance field positions.
• Meet with the respective Country Director and Deputy Director, Finance at the beginning and end of each assignment to discuss terms of reference and the outcome of the deployment.
• Assist with the rollout and implementation of new ERP system as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in IRC financial policy and financial systems.

Requirements

• 6+ years progressive NGO accounting experience in an international development environment.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; Master's Degree a plus.
• Detailed knowledge of fund accounting, procurement and financial management of USAID and UN cooperative agreements.
• Ability to present sophisticated financial information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to solve complex matters through the use of analyses, data-sharing, and cooperation.
• Experience in a humanitarian emergency setting highly desirable.
• Knowledge of US Government, European Union, and United Nations donor reporting regulations highly desirable.
• Previous work experience with a major general ledger software package - experience with MS D365 preferred.
• Highly reliable and flexible approach to professional responsibilities: the ability to change course at a moment's notice yet remain focused and productive, as well as ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills: the ability to effectively liaise with colleagues in diverse multi-cultural environments.
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be productive under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge of Arabic, French and/or Spanish strongly preferred.
• Strong digital literacy: facility with MS Word, Excel, various accounting software, and email/internet software.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a matrix management environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Working knowledge of Arabic, French and/or Spanish.