Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) since 2002 and in Lebanon since 2013. DRC is considered a strategic partner of the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society – Lebanon Branch (PRCS-L). DRC’s work in Lebanon has focused on support for essential health care services, mainstreaming MHPSS services, and has integrated a strong focus on non-communicable diseases in its health response.

Job Purpose

This position will be contracted under IFRC and will be managed by DRC, based in the DRC Lebanon country office in Beirut.The Finance Coordinator reports to the Danish Red Cross Country Manager and is responsible for the finance and administration management for the organisation.

The Finance Coordinator in Danish Red Cross Country Office (DRC CO) is a direct manager for the DRC Finance/Adm officer and is overall responsible for well-functioning of DRC CO finance and administration. The Finance coordinator has three distinct purposes and responsibilities:

• Ensure effective, timely and compliant financial management of the DRC Lebanon CO, regarding daily bookkeeping, processing of payments/workflows, month-end process, and Liquidity management.
• Ensure effective, timely and compliant financial management of the DRC Lebanon CO with regard to office, project and programme budgets, activity plans, and financial reports, in undertaking external/internal audit processes in compliance with DRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and, where applicable, satisfying other specific donor requirements e.g. Danida, and etc.
• Provide regular, timely and databased financial analysis, trends and forecasts supporting well informed management decisions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management

Overall responsible for DRC CO meeting all DRC, donor and partners guidelines and requirements to financial management of DRC CO and programmes including:

• Ensure DRC financial policies and rules/Standard Operational Procedures are followed and the financial management within the DRC /IFRC is legal (in line with government laws and regulations). Stay abreast of new DRC/ partner guidelines.
• Oversee the fund flow of the DRC CO project at all cost centres (HQ, CO and NS) and programmes in accordance with budgets, maintaining accounts and programme contracts/agreements.
• Ensure review, quality assurance and timely submission of all consolidated budgets, cash requests and consolidated financial reports produced by DRC cost centres for Lebanon projects.
• Develop and oversee implementation of DRC CO budget and revise it as necessary. Ensure cost efficiency and correct allocation of shared costs to relevant programmes/budget lines.
• Monitor DRC CO project and programme budgets and expenditure, ensure compliance and advise on budget performance and, if applicable, suggest budget revisions through the DRC CO.
• Prepare consolidated budgets for proposals / new programmes.
• Ensure timely monthly reporting of all transactions in the DRC CO accounting system and the reconciliations and monthly reports. Become the super user of DRC CO accounting system and support DRC CO Finance/Admin Officer in using of system.
• Develop and supervise implementation of DRC CO internal control mechanisms and report back to management if any irregularity identified. Ensure that the DRC anti-corruption policy is implemented and understood and followed by all DRC funded staff in Country Office, LRC and PRCS-L branch,
• Manage audit process for programme financial and performance audits covering expenses at all DRC cost centres, including tendering process for auditors, review of draft Audit statements.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Administration

• Develop and oversee implementation of relevant administrative procedures for the smooth management of the DRC CO including:
• Ensure that all DRC CO obligations with respect to the contracts & project agreement concerning administrative procedures are properly carried out.
• Support to RO for proper fixed asset management (including fleet management).
• Overall responsible for finance and admin filing system and maintenance of DRC CO files.

Human Resource Management

• Direct line-manager for DRC CO Finance/Adm officer.
• Responsible for supervision of staff performance and ensuring delegation of tasks and secure priority of tasks and time for the individual staff.
• Employ local finance and admin/support staff as required.
• Work with the Country Manager to conduct annual staff appraisals with the finance and administrative/support staff and also develop HR development plans.
• Stay informed on and ensure DRC CO compliance with the government rules & regulations related to national staff.

Coordination

• Coordinate and collaborate with LRC, PRCS-L branch, DRC CO, Regional and HQ colleagues and pro-actively build excellent team working relationships.
• Attend and actively participate in the staff meetings.

Other

• Observe all appropriate IFRC/DRC HR and security policies and guidelines, particularly with regards to security/safety and health/insurance.
• Support DRC HQ in implementation of the Document Handling System- Atlas.
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by DRC Country Manager.

Education

• Professional/academic qualification at master’s level or higher in finance / accounting/ business administration. Required

Experience

• 8+ years of professional experience in accounting, financial management and reporting, budgeting, accounting, and financial audits. Required
• Proven experience of development and managing of financial systems and software packages. Required
• Solid experience in developing and executing project and budgets and scrutiny of financial reports. Required
• Experience working with KOMPAS. Preferred
• Relevant experience with donor agencies, e.g., UN, ECHO, Europe Aid, Danida, etc. Preferred
• Experience in working for a humanitarian or similar international organization. Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Technical knowledge and experience in facilitating, supporting, monitoring, and supervising activity plans, budgets and financial management. Required
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Package, especially Excel) and user knowledge of financial accounting (ERP) systems, ideally Microsoft Dynamics F&O 365. Required
• Analyze, advise, establishment, and enforcement of sound internal financial controls and financial management reporting. Required
• Understanding of the principles of risk management in relation to projects and program finances, and experience of their practical application. Required
• Excellent Command of English (written & verbal). Required

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Excellent analytical, team working and communication skills. Flexibility and adaptability to changing situation and self-motivation
• Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner.
• Excellent networking and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in demanding situations and sometimes under pressure and meet deadlines.
• High attention to details and timeliness

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!