Regional Finance Manager - Norwegian Red Cross

Job Purpose

The Regional Finance Manager is one of the senior-most positions at regional level for Norwegian Red Cross whose purpose is to ensure financial management in line with Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations, and contractual obligations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic responsibilities

• Coordinate the annual budget and reporting processes in the region, in line with established rules and regulations.
• Ensure internal control and financial risk management at regional and country levels, including oversight of mitigating actions and management of suspected and confirmed cases of fraud and corruption.
• Manage the regional support team and organize effective finance, administration, and logistic support to country offices.

Operational responsibilities

• Organizes financial planning in the region, including yearly budgets and mid-term budget reviews, informing project adjustments, including the reallocation of financial resources.
• Provides direction to cost-efficient provision of administration services e.g., general administrative services, archives, insurance, visa processing within the region.
• Quality assures cash disbursements and working advances to the national societies in accordance with Norwegian Red Cross’ partnership calendar.
• Ensures sound and timely financial reporting in the region, herein tertial reports, annual reports and donor reports.
• Manages financial aspects of the regional office, including reconciliations, NFO budgeting, budget monitoring and analysis, and forecasting.
• Approves invoices to be charged to budgets within the region in accordance with the Accountability matrix.
• Supports the financial management of the country offices, including reconciliations, budget monitoring and analysis, and forecasting.
• Supports country offices in financial follow up of National Societies when needed and coordinates regular spot checks in every country.
• Quality assures procurements together with relevant counterparts in country offices, regional office and Headquarters. required.
• Supports country offices in engaging local audit firms as well as preparing and facilitating for the annual audit process and following up on remarks and recommendations from the annual audit.
• Leads the financial-administrative mapping of National Societies and oversees the implementation of agreed mitigation measures.
• Ensures that a strong internal control environment is maintained, including proper segregation of duties, and quality assures procurements in line with Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations.
• Ensures efficient administrative and logistic support to the country offices in line with Norwegian RC operational manual and procurement guidelines.
• Contributes to human resources planning for finance personnel in the region.
• Ensures that all personnel have yearly work and development plans and follow up on performance regularly.
• Set objectives for the finance teams, delegate tasks and authority, involve, motivate and follow up colleagues in line with Norwegian Red Cross leadership development model.
• Trains new delegates in Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations, and the correct use of available finance management tools. Trains and Supports the finance officers in the region, enabling them to manage Norwegian RC accounts optimally and in a timely manner.

Collaboration

• Contributes to International Programmes and Preparedness Departments global efforts to harmonise and improve administrative procedures and processes between the National Office, Regional and the Country Offices.
• Supports Country Programme Managers, Regional and Country Finance Officers to ensure adequate financial management
• Provides financial advice and analysis to the Regional Representative.
• Collaborates closely with the Finance and Grants Unit, to implement Norwegian Red Cross’ guidelines, rules and regulations.
• Works with Finance Department to facilitate and follow up controller visits to the region.

Duties applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals 
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

• Relevant university degree (Chartered Auditor, Business Administration or Finance Degree, Chartered Accountant or equivalent) - Required
• Any other formal qualification relevant to the role pertaining to financial management, risk management, administration, and procurement - Preferred

Experience

• Successful track record (+7 years) of managing international finance teams, including remote support - Required
• Proven experience (+7 years) in financial planning and budget analysis - Required
• Proven good judgment in managing risk management, and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality - Required
• Knowledge of relevant accounting concepts, International Financial Reporting Standards or equivalent - Required
• Advanced understanding of internal control and treasury management concepts - Required

Knowledge, Skills and Language

• Very good ability to work towards achieving objectives and results - Required
• Very good ability to cooperate and share competency- Required
• Very good ability to convince and gain acceptance- Required
• Very good ability to communicate effectively - Required
• Very good ability to think holistically - Required
• Good ability to be solution oriented - Required
• Collaborates well with others and supports others to reach team goals - Required
• Creates a stable and re-assuring work atmosphere and is firm and reliable - Required
• Fluently spoken and written English - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic) - Preferred

Competencies and Values

• Accountability and Integrity
• Analyses and judgement, quickly understands and analyses complex issues and problems; comes up with sound and rational judgements
• Professional expertise, demonstrates specialist knowledge and expertise in own area and participates in continuous development
• Effective communication, communicate in a clear, precise and structured way; speaks with authority and conviction; presents effectively
• Systematic approach, uses a methodical and systematic approach; plans ahead, define clear priorities and allocate resources effectively
• Execution adheres, to company rules and procedures; execute plans with commitment and determination; achieves high quality results
• Constructive teamwork, collaborate well with others; shares knowledge, experience and information and supports others in the pursuit of team goals