Assistant, Finance

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. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

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.

While still supporting the URCS’ emergency response, the IFRC’s role in Ukraine is shifting to a greater focus on National Society Development (NSD) under the One Plan – which includes both capacity support in programmatic areas and more fundamental aspects of development, known as organizational development (OD) – per the IFRC’s National Society Development Policy. In the area of OD, IFRC is especially engaged in support to URCS in its branch and volunteer development programme (BraVo), human resource and resource mobilization development, and the development and implementation of interregional offices (IRO) providing corporate service support to regional branches. It also continues to play a key role in mobilizing international resources and coordinating NSD support from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including IFRC member National Societies, 13 of which currently have representatives based in Ukraine.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of Finance Coordinator, the Finance assistant will assist and support the Finance Department to ensure compliance, in collaboration with other units, Partner NSs and staff of the Ukraine Delegation. Support in managing all aspects of day-to-day operations of the finance department. He/she will assist in the implementation of Finance policies, procedures and systems and Ensure compliance with IFRC procedures and guidelines.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Processing, registration and verification of suppliers’ invoices and payments in coordination with Finance team members.
• Review and check-ups of supporting documents for accuracy, manage data entry for invoices’ payments, cooperation with other units to address discrepancies.
• Entering journals of transactions in the General Ledger in ERP system.
• Support with the Month-end closure of the financial books in close collaboration with senior finance management.
• Maintain an online register of transactions and other documents submitted to Finance Department for processing.
• Management of Finance Folders and documents.
• Assets and Inventory Management.
• Provide technical assistance across finance operations.
• Any other tasks, assigned by the Finance management.

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the IFRC’s financial management and operations.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in financial management and compliance.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the IFRC’s financial management and operations.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in financial management and compliance.

Education

Required:

• University degree in Finance/ Accounting / Banking, and related fields.
• Knowledge of basic finance and accounting processes.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Excel/Accounting software.

Experience

• 1-2 years’ of finance management working experience.
• Experience in managing data, filing, basic financial and budgetary information.
• Experience in administrative or support functions.
• Experience working within international organisations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies, multi-cultural environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Self-driven, ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Proficient in working with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Attention to detail, with an ability to spot numerical errors.
• Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountability.
• Knowledge of work routines and methods to complete processes under minimal supervision.
• Proactive approach to finding creative and constructive solutions to difficult issues.
• Uses tact and courtesy to give and receive information to a wide range of individuals.
• Capability of working with sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment and virtual or/and dispersed teams.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to learn and use the knowledge for practical situations.
• Able to work in a team Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct.
• Self-motivated, with good judgement and initiative.
• Able to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work under stressful circumstances.

Preferred:

• Experience in office management principles and procedures.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to draft and edit reports and correspondence in English.
• Proficient in use of office equipment: laptop, printer/scanner.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and deliver to deadlines.

Languages:

Fluent Ukrainian language - Required.

Fluency in spoken and written English language - Required. 

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, Arabic) - Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.