H2O PEACE Finance Officer – (Jordan Nationals)

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 NSs and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the 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 delegation 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.

The IFRC launched its global Water & Peace program in 2023 to respond to increasing calls to prevent and reduce water-related instability and conflict. Adapting its broader HDP approach to the specific challenges of the water-security nexus, the overall goal of the IFRC Water & Peace program is that “the multiplier effects of water stress on drivers of instability and conflict in countries facing humanitarian crises are reduced”. To achieve this, the IFRC integrates humanitarian action, sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts to create a more holistic and effective response to complex water emergencies.

The IFRC MENA regional office has launched “H2O PEACE: Harmonizing Water Opportunities for Peace & community empowerment” programme in partnership and funding support from KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) with the overall goal “Addressing water-induced community-level conflicts, and strengthening water systems, community adaptation and resilience building” in Iran, Jordan and Yemen. The programme is in alignment with the ongoing IFRC progressive plans in the field of water safety and security.  

Job Purpose

Under the H2O Peace Programme Manager direct supervision and management, this post is responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective and timely financial management support including reporting of the H2O PEACE Programme implemented in Iran, Jordan and Yemen and ensuring compliance with IFRC policies, procedures, and processes as well as the grant specific conditions.

The post-holder will also ensure continuous follow up with the respective IFRC project managers and finance officers on regular financial transactions of identified activities in the 3 countries

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Policies and Procedures

• Have a deep understanding of the financial and administrative federation policies and procedures.
• Advise project staff in the appropriate interpretation of the policies and procedures.
• Provide feedback to staff on documentation submitted with incorrect coding or inadequate supporting documentation.
• Provide feedback to the programme manager or the Head of Finance and Administration on improvements in policies or procedures.

2. Financial Reporting

• Performs a periodic review of the transactions posted to the projects to ensure they are accurately entered into the accounting system.
• Monitor donor reports list and submit the complete report prior to the due date.
• Verifies that the transaction process occurs according to the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), the IFRC policies and procedures, and they comply with the donor requirements.
• Provide information about the status of reports to the H2O PEACE programme manager.
• Prepares income or expenditure reallocations to ensure that the reports are ready to submit (when it is necessary).
• Monitor, highlight, and notify the H2O PEACE programme manager and respective project managers about relevant variances between actual expenditures vs. budget lines under the H2O PEACE grant.

• Prepare financial analysis information to share among different stakeholders as per demand.

3. Budgeting

• Provide technical assistance and advice to the H2O PEACE program manager, project managers and other involved staff during budget preparation and/or revision.
• Provide analysis of actual expenditures vs. budgets with respective comments on the variances (if there are any) and recommendations to the H2O PEACE project manager and program staff.

4. Validation of transactions

• Ensure that all the transactions related to the H2O PEACE programme are validated following the expenditure authorization policy and other procedures.
• Ensure all accounting transactions are properly authorized and documented by original and valid supporting documentation.
• Provide feedback to the H2O PEACE programme and respective project managers when findings have been identified in terms of documentation that does not meet the requirements or transactions that are not within the approved budget.
• Follow up with the H2O PEACE programme manager and project managers and/or delegations’ staff on the timely submission of the forecasts, journal of expenditures, expense claims, and other documents.

5. Accounting verification

• Ensure the timely bookings by delegations’ finance officers of all the transactions in the accounting system after the appropriate review.

6. Balance Sheet items review and reconciliations

• Ensure the same amount that was counted matches the amount reflected in the accounting system.
• Provide reconciled account statements of the outstanding balances of staff and/or National Societies
• Ensure that other balance sheet items are reconciled (e.g., prepayments, guarantee deposits, supplier balances, etc.)
• Coordinate that corrections are done on a timely basis.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

7. Month-end closed routines

• This post will support if required, the month-end close routines of the H2O PEACE programme (e.g., currency revaluation, allocation, booking of provisions, etc.) within the deadlines.

8. Financial Analysis

• Prepare ad-hoc financial analysis per the projects' demand or as requested by the H2O PEACE programme manager.
• Interpret financial key performance indicators to the project managers and provide quality advice to improve the performance or minimize/mitigate risks.

9. Relationships with other stakeholders:

• Liaise with H2O PEACE programme manager and project managers and delegations’ finance staff to provide effective services with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the plans and results.
• Liaise with the administration, accounting staff, or finance officers of other offices (when it is necessary)
• Liaise with the assigned finance analysts to get advice, orientation, and support on technical matters and provide feedback on the findings observed in the monthly field returns, accounting, and financial matters.
• Liaise with the Head of Finance and Administration to highlight urgent matters and provide feedback on how to improve systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Support auditors in terms of clarification or providing supporting documentation.
• Conduct briefing and debriefings to unit staff under his/her portfolio.

10. Others

• Provide support in case of long-term vacancies, absence, or illness to ensure continuity of the finance function within the H2O PEACE programme framework.
• Be prepared to deliver training to IFRC staff or National Society Staff (if it is required)
• Be available to travel including missions to Iran, Jordan and Yemen when and as needed.
• Any other tasks assigned by the line manager.

Duties applicable to all staff

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

Education

• University degree in finance/ accounting - Required
• Qualification in business administration or auditing - Preferred

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in technical areas of expertise (finance/accounting) - Required
• 2+ years of field experience in a humanitarian organization - Preferred
• Experience in personnel management - Preferred
• Experience in project financial management support - Required
• Red Cross / Red Crescent movement, other international organizations, large NGOs, and governmental development agencies - Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Skills

• Good stress management skills - Required
• Self-supported in computing systems (e.g., accounting software and MS Office) - Required
• Excellent communication skills - Required
• Good analytical skills and a solution-focused person - Required
• Skills in training and developing staff - Required
• Time Management skills - Required

Languages

• Fluent in spoken and written English and Arabic - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French) - Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

IFRC Disclaimer

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.

If you appointed to or undertake a role within IFRC, whether as staff, staff on loan or secondees, you will be subject to the organization's Code of Conduct, which is available here and on our website.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include prior professional conduct checks and review of criminal records. IFRC will request a conduct check from all prior employers for a period of 5 years, including but not limited to employers who like IFRC participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more details on the Scheme, please see THE MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE SCHEME — SCHR.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!