The American Refugee Committee (ARC) is an entrepreneurial humanitarian organization that assists displaced people to move from vulnerability to resilience, from impoverishment to well-being, and from exclusion to inclusion. Since 2002 ARC has been providing humanitarian relief and development assistance in Pakistan through meaningful engagement with refugees and internally displaced people, innovative human-centered programs, and rigorous attention to outcomes. ARC provides multi-sectorial programs that include primary and reproductive health, health clinic management, GBV programming, water and sanitation, shelter, and emergency response.
Through the Education project, ARC strives to help enroll one million out-of-school children in quality primary education schools while strengthening and building on existing formal and alternative education systems in Pakistan. ARC is leading the implementation of the project in consortium with MoENT and Provincial Government Education and Literacy Departments, JICA and CSOs.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Finance Controller will provide overall leadership and oversight and management support for all aspects of financial management in the National Office (NO). This position is seen as a strategic partner and member of the National Leadership Team, with a focus on ensuring accountability, stewardship, coordinating planning and budgeting processes, providing accurate financial data, analysis and advice, as well as developing financial strategy that best serves the EAC strategic and project objectives. The EAC project has the co-funding from the Government of Pakistan therefore the position holder should have the knowledge of public sector spending and interacting with the Government. This position will be responsible for strengthening the finance staff capacity, the development and implementation of good internal controls, risk management, and utilization and safe guarding of assets according to ARC’s approved policies and procedures.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership, Capacity Development and Strategic Partnering
- Provide strong and positive leadership to the finance department ensuring competent and motivated staff are hired and retained, providing efficient delivery of services.
- Coordinate professional and personal development of finance staff through adequate orientation, on-the-job coaching, identification of learning, training needs and opportunities (e.g. in accounting, grant management, risk management, leadership, etc.); and succession planning.
- Actively participate in the National Leadership team meetings.
- Attend and actively participate in strategic regional meetings.
- Facilitate COP, DCOP, Operations, Programs and other non-finance staff in understanding and interpretation of financial statements.
- Ensure partnership finance policies and procedures are understood by National Leadership, Operations/Technical staff, Communities, and Local Partners, as appropriate.
- Develop strong networks internally (other country programs and HQ) and externally (other NGOs, banking entities, communities, etc.) through effective communication, relationships and twin citizenship.
- Promote shared resource networks within ARC.
- Adhere to ARC key policy documents – mission and core values.
Stewardship
- Ensure adequate cost efficiency and effectiveness measures are in place and are being followed through:
- Providing cost analysis, promoting benchmarks and making recommendations for determining effective resource utilization at all levels.
- Contributing to the development of appropriate policies and procedures for procurement of goods and services, in collaboration with the Operations team. Providing cost analysis, promoting benchmarks and making recommendations for determining effective resource utilization at all levels.
Financial Planning and Budgeting
- In collaboration with PD, advise the COP on strategic resource acquisition and allocation in line with the recommendations approved by the Director of Program Management and the VP, International Program.
- Coordinate the planning and budgeting process and provide technical support, to ensure global guidelines are met.
- Review alignment of budgets between the country program, projects, grants.
- Control of national office budget, cash flow and project funding, by providing timely and relevant information to budget managers, in collaboration with the COP.
- Contribute to the development of ARC Country Program strategic direction and priorities.
Fiscal Accounting, Compliance, Monitoring and Reporting
- Design and manage systems, policies and procedures that provide appropriate levels of security and control of ARC assets, resources and operations.
- Coordinate the submission of timely, accurate and complete relevant reporting to HQ and to internal users.
- Define and implement efficient and effective internal control systems.
- Adhere to ARC policies, procedures and guidelines as stipulated in the ARC Financial Manual and other documents, including – but not limited to: grant compliance, planning & budgeting, year-end closing, carryforward, accounting and reporting.
- Coordinate the timely and accurate submission of financial reports in Serenic database.
- Review the reconciliation of Serenic to FFR monthly with action plan for addressing outstanding items.
- Provide regular analysis of grant financial reports and timely feedback Grant Managers, DCOP and COP for decision making.
- Ensure national office Finance staff visit projects to monitor accountability issues, follow up on implementation of audit findings, and provide support as needed.
Financial Risk Management and Controls
- Manage appropriate financial systems and controls and ensure they are in place to avoid significant finance audit risk ratings, both at the country program and project levels.
- Coordinate management responses to finance audits performed to the country program and projects; ensure that finance related audit recommendations are implemented timely at all levels.
- Coordinate adequate preparation for internal and external audits.
- Manage financial risk.
- Implement anti-corruption and fraud strategies.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the COP.
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
- Minimum 10-12 years’ experience in finance management positions with medium business/ NGO/government agency. Prior experience working with INGOs is a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, or a related field.
- MBA in Finance, MSC in Finance/Accounting/Auditing preferred.
- ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent preferred.
- Solid practical experience in applying accounting principles, financial systems, budget/cash flow monitoring and internal accounting controls.
- Ability and demonstrated experience leading and managing a diverse team in a challenging programmatic context.
- Excellent management, communication and organization skills.
- Excellent MS Office skills including Word, Excel and Access database.
- High level fluency in both oral and written English.
- Experience working with the Government of Pakistan a plus.
- Experience of treasury activities establishment and monitoring of budgets and an understanding of data processing concepts and systems.
- Experience with humanitarian aid in-country or similar context.
KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES
- Proven ability to coordinate, manage and delegate work appropriately
- Ability to solve complex problems with diplomacy and to exercise independent judgment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including effective presentation and facilitation skills
- Excellent strategic thinking, process management and problem solving skills
- Collaborative, results-oriented management style
- Ability to take initiative; be resourceful and innovative
- Ability to work under stress and with tight deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Able to work on a cross-cultural environment with a multi-national staff.
- Ability/willingness to travel within country and internationally.
Source:http://arcrelief.org/careers/?p=job%2FoQrN6fwU
