Regional Finance Coordinator with the Swedish Red Cross

December 22, 2023
Posted by: humanitarianweb
Category: Humanitarian Jobs

Organization: Swedish Red Cross
Posted: 22 Dec 2023
Closing date: 8 Jan 2024

Title: Regional Finance Coordinator
Place of assignment: Beirut, Lebanon (with regular travels in the region)
Type of posting: International Delegate, non-family posting
Desired starting date: As soon as possible
Contract period: 12 months, with the possibility of extension

Are you our new Regional Financial Coordinator?

We are strengthening the Swedish Red Cross (SRC) international engagement through enhancement of field presence and building of capacity in several countries where we have long-term engagement. The position of Regional Finance Coordinator is key in this development, and we are now looking to recruit a new Regional Finance Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The position will be stationed in Beirut, Lebanon, where we have a country office. Travelling within the region (sometimes to complex and insecure environments) as well as to the head office in Stockholm, Sweden, is required as part of the work.

Your role in the organisation

As the Regional Finance Coordinator, you are the link between the programme countries in your region and the head office of the Swedish Red Cross to support effective financial management of programmes and projects. You ensure compliance with donor requirements, financial risk management as well as SRC financial policies and procedures.

You work closely with and support the SRC Country Representatives, Programme Managers, and Country Finance Officers in your region. You collaborate with the Finance Unit, the Quality and Capacity Unit, and the logistics function in head office to ensure compliance with Swedish Red Cross guidelines, policies and regulations. You interact with the Controller function to support assessments of partner organisations, financial risks, and to set up and implement agreed internal control measures, financial routines and standards. You will belong to the geographical unit for the Middle East, North Africa, Americas, Asia & Pacific and report to the Head of Unit.

Key duties and responsibilities

Support to country offices in compliance of donor requirements, including liaising with project teams, Finance Unit, Quality and Capacity Unit, and Logistics function to ensure cross-organisational compliance of grant requirements;
Support to country offices in financial management of programmes and projects, including grant agreements and financial reporting to donors;
Support to country office in preparation, follow up, and analysis of the office budget as well as budgets for supported national society programmes and projects, ensuring consistency with plans and donor financial conditions;
Support to controller function in identifying context specific measures for risk management and internal control for each delegation/programme;
Support to country offices in initiatives to improve systems and ensure smooth roll out in country offices;
Ensure that procedures related to internal control and risk management are followed;
Coordinate accounting functions of the country offices in line with SRC rules and procedures;
Ensure accounting and supporting documentation of SRC funded operations are in line with SRC requirements and international accounting standards.

Your profile

As an SRC employee, you share the Red Cross Red Crescent humanitarian values including diversity and actively work against all forms of discrimination. You understand, respect, and comply with the SRC Code of Conduct and security rules and regulations.

You know that the key to ensuring compliance lies in both sharing your subject matter expertise and being a constructive team player with the ability to communicate effectively. You are flexible and can adapt your support to various stakeholders, building the financial knowledge and skills necessary for them to fulfil their responsibilities with quality.

As a successful candidate you have a high level of personal integrity and are brave in sharing your analysis and judgment competencies. You have proven experience in holding similar responsibilities as outlined above.

Required qualifications and experience

Bachelor (or Master’s) Degree in Business or Public Administration or Accounting or related field;
Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience;
Minimum three (3) years of experience from field-based work, either based in a country/region or through frequent job-related visits;
Documented experience of working in contexts with high security risks (conflicts and/or complex emergencies)
Experience of financial management in international humanitarian or development work, including advanced knowledge of accounting concepts and use of reporting applications;
Understanding of internal control and treasury management concepts;
Experience of project management and capacity building;
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Tools and other IT tools;
Proficiency in English, written and oral;

Desired qualifications

Experience from work in the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, including volunteer work;
Experience of working with international non-governmental organisations;
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) or equivalent
Experience of working with EU (specifically ECHO) grants;
Proficiency in the Arabic language;
Proficiency in the Swedish languages

Other Requirements

In line with the principle of neutrality, SRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
Candidates must be in good health and are required to pass a medical check-up prior to departure to the duty station
Candidates must hold a manual driving license and have experience in driving manual transmission vehicles

The recruitment process

Closing date is 8 January 2024. Our process includes cognitive and administrative tests, interviews, background checks and references. Candidates who are selected for roles with the Swedish Red Cross undergo a background check before an offer of employment is given. As the Swedish Red Cross is part of the Inter-Agency Scheme for the Disclosure of Safeguarding-related Misconduct, one of the three references given must be from the candidate`s current or most recent employer. Final candidates will also be screened against EU and UN sanction lists.

Please note that we only consider applications made through our website. We kindly decline any offer of services from recruitment agencies or consultants.

For more information about the position, please contact Carina Andersson, Head of Unit for the Middle East, North Africa, Americas, Asia and Pacific, carina.andersson@redcross.se