Finance Manager

Position Title: Finance Manager

Position Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Reports to: Country Director, Iraq

Contract Term: 2 Year, Renewable

Application Deadline: August 20 2023

WUSC is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in 22 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC’s mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Our internationally recognized programs support youth, women and other marginalized populations, focusing on three thematic areas of education, employment and empowerment. Globally, WUSC works with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

Canadian Leaders in International Consulting Inc. (CLIC), founded in 2007, is a professional services firm that provides high quality technical assistance and strategic advice in governance, institutional development, restoration and capacity building to public, private and not-for-profit sectors. CLIC works extensively in conflict and post conflict environments providing livelihood and stabilization services. In addition, CLIC conducts research, implements monitoring and evaluation and development projects globally with a focus on the broader Middle East and North Africa. Over the past 3 years CLIC has implemented, or is currently implementing, contracts in Iraq with the WB, UNDP, the ILO and several international organizations and bi-lateral funding agencies.

WUSC is seeking to recruit a Finance Manager based in Baghdad to oversee and manage WUSC programming in Iraq, in partnership with Canadian Leaders in International Consulting (CLIC).

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Reporting to the Iraq Country Director, and working in close collaboration with the Financial Analyst in WUSC Ottawa, the Finance Manager is responsible for the following:

Accounting & Finance:

• Ensure that accurate and timely financial records and audit trails are established and maintained for project operations, including for any satellite offices;
• In coordination with the Finance Analyst in Canada, ensure compliance with the overarching regulatory and contractual obligations (e.g. financial, human resources and legal) of WUSC Iraq operations;
• Prepare financial reports for the Project Steering Committee;
• Support the Country Director and support staff in the preparation and monitoring of the Project Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plan budget for the lifetime of the project, as well as disbursement updates and forecasts as required for the donor;
• Ensure timely and complete budgeting processes are implemented, including variance analysis and guidance on managing the expenditures and managing the project cash flow;
• Ensure the reconciliation of bank accounts and the monthly closure of financial records are approved by the Country Director and sent to WUSC Ottawa;
• Allocate salaries and benefits expenses to appropriate funding codes;
• Review, develop and implement necessary improvements to financial controls, systems and policies of WUSC in financial management in Iraq with the approval of WUSC headquarters;
• Regularly review and maintain the Financial Management Procedures Manual for Iraq, in coordination with the finance team in Ottawa, and develop the forms and procedures needed for financial operations;
• Ensure that country office financial tools are in line with national laws, donor regulations, WUSC Iraq policies, and WUSC institutional policies and manuals;
• Provide overall financial analysis, management advice and technical assistance to the project team and partner organizations, as required;
• Participate in financial monitoring of partner organizations; and
• Oversee foreign exchange transactions and accounting;
• Coordinate, facilitate and support internal and external audits.
• Perform monthly reconciliation and analysis of the Balance Sheet Accounts;
• Obtain vendors’ statements of account, and reconcile and analyze transactions to ensure there are no overdue, missing, or duplicate invoices;
• Ensure that all monthly staff income tax and social security payments are done in a timely manner, and coordinate all matters with the identified CPA and Legal Advisor.

Project Planning and Management:

• In close collaboration with the financial analysts at WUSC headquarters in Ottawa, provide the necessary support for the financial management of WUSC agreements with donors;
• Ensure that the Budget Variance Analysis (BVA) and forecast processes are well in place for each project and implemented on a timely, quality and collaborative manner by Finance and Program Departments;
• On a monthly basis, compile the BVA and engage with Country Director and other relevant team members, in analyzing the situation and propose corrective/reallocation measures if needed, in coordination with HQ Finance Analyst and Country Director;
• Lead the yearly budget planning process and provide advice to the Country Director and the program implementation team on defining the best allocation of the resources according to the developed work plan, through exhaustive and detailed budget and financial risks analysis and benefits;
• Take the lead in the design of new projects and proposals from a budget point of view in coordination with the Country Director and the finance department in HQ; and
• Ensure head office and donor deadlines for financial reports are met.

Capacity Building:

• Ensure a good level of support for the development of a capacity building plan for WUSC and implementing partners’ team according to their needs;
• Prepare and conduct financial training/coaching for non-finance staff on costing, budgeting, BVA analysis, and donor and government compliance, according to the training needs identified;
• Strengthen the capacity of finance staff through coaching and on the job guidance and training;
• Share feedback to the implementing partners reading areas of improvement and progress status.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field is preferable; Bachelor degree with extensive relevant experience accepted;
• MBA or a Professional Financial/Accounting qualification (ACCA, CA or equivalent);
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience post qualification in accounting, management and monitoring, preferably with large international development organization;
• Substantial experience (2 years or more) as supervisor of finance/administration staff highly desirable; and experience building capacity of staff in finance and accounting
• Experience with international donor grants, contracts accounting, financial and administrative procedures, and compliance regulations; experience with Canadian Government development funding is an asset
• Good knowledge of local laws and national financial and audit requirements in Iraq, including the labor law, staff income tax, and social security regulations
• Proficient in Microsoft office packages, Google suite, computerized accounting systems and other relevant software
• Good knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, control standards and the reporting requirements of major international donors;
• Ability to manage a financial/administration team across several sites and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills;
• Able to manage, guide and lead employees to ensure appropriate financial processes are being used;
• Strong understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles;
• Availability to travel locally, regionally and internationally;
• Demonstrate commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment; and
• Complete fluency in English and Arabic is required.

APPLICATIONS:

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.