Officer, Program Finance

Organizational Context

The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the Movement together with its member National Societies and the ICRC. The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. For the next decade the organization will be guided by the principles set out in the IFRC Strategy 2030: Platform for change - global reach, local action. 

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

The IFRC has five regional offices based in the following locations: (i) Africa Region, in Nairobi, Kenya; (ii) Asia Pacific Region, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; (iii) Middle East and North Africa Region, in Beirut, Lebanon; (iv) Europe Region, in Budapest, Hungary; and Americas Region, in Panama City, Panama. 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.

The Syria conflict continues to be the largest and most complex humanitarian crisis in the world resulting in internal and external displacement, loss of thousands of lives and severe damage to infrastructure, roads, buildings and livelihoods. Currently, over five million Syrian people are displaced in neighboring countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye and in North Africa. Türkiye alone hosts about 3.9 million registered refugees - including people from Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan - making it the host country with the largest refugee population in the world.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society has played a leading role in helping refugees in Türkiye, The TRCS has reacted immediately to the influx of Syrians and other refugees by deploying staff and volunteers and organizing dedicated structures to receive and protect the people in need and provide a first-line response. The IFRC continues to support the TRCS in its response to the growing humanitarian needs in Türkiye resulting from the Syrian and other concurrent crises. IFRC is also supporting TRCS to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, providing financial resources to Turkish Red Crescent to address the needs of Ukrainian refugees that sought refuge in Türkiye.

On February 6th, 2023 two powerful earthquakes struck Southeast Türkiye with devastating effects: more than 50.000 people died and economic losses were estimated at more than USD 100 billion making it the biggest disaster to affect the country in a century. IFRC launched and Emergency Appeal (MDRTR004) to support Turkish RC relief and recovery efforts in the affected area during the coming 2 years.

Türkiye Country Delegation is one of the delegations in the Europe Region. It is led by a Head of Country Delegation (HoCD) and is composed of majority local staff with key international positions. The country’s delegation can also host regional outpost positions based on strategic directions agreed with the Regional Director.

Job Purpose

The Program Finance Officer reports and follows the technical direction and guidance of the Finance team leader and provide support to the effective financial reporting, accounting of the IFRC Office in Turkiye.

The job of the Pogram Finance Officer is to provide cost-effective day-to-day quality finance services that enhance the work efficiency of the operation Turkiye Population Movement Operation International Appeal, IFRC programs implemented by the Turkish Red Crescent Society, in accordance with Federation standard procedures, policies, and regulations. He/she also will contribute to the sound financial management of the funds spent by the operation by observing strict compliance to all Finance and Admin Procedures and to all Finance Audit recommendations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Treasury Management

• Monitor the preparation and submission of accurate and timely cash forecasts and monitor their spending.
• Manage the treasury in order to reduce the exchange rate exposure.
• Report Regularly on the situation of the treasury and agree actions with the Finance Manager
• Organize payments so as to rationalize time and reduce burden on signatories, while ensuring payments are issued on time.
• Monitor bank accounts so as to take action quickly when necessary (e.g. transactions not processed).
• Assist in processing signatory changes in relation to bank accounts, arrange for the filing of the documents related to this process
• Initiate and prepare the cash request for GVA for review and validation of the Finance Team Leader compiling all necessary documentation including annexes on adjustments, forecasts etc.

Financial Management and Controllership

• Provide accounting services and link up treasury with accounting by downloading the necessary bank statements from the online banking system
• Prepare for validation and review the monthly bank reconciliations
• Contribute to the month-end and year-end financial close process.
• Advise the Unit managers and staff on an ad hoc as required basis on financial management matters pertaining to business.
• Support project managers in preparation of the operating budgets.
• Review these on a quarterly basis and ensure budget revisions are prepared and submitted for upload.
• Review spending against income on the projects and report any anomalies to the respective project managers.
• Support in reconciliation of NS accounts.
• Check that financial codes are correct before booking the transactions and ensure any correction.

• Fully responsible for month end closing processing through internal and external regulations.

Internal Control and Risk Management

• Work closely with National Societies (NS) to ensure the correct booking of expenditures to the correct budget lines, ensure expenditure is incurred in full compliance with the project funding agreement, Federation Financial and Procurement Procedures.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Financial Reporting

• Support production of financial reports due to the donors,
• Ensure NS are aware and adhere to donor funding and financial reporting, generation of reports that help program managers monitor expenditures and balances, preparation of financial reports and updates on donor and PNs funding, and timely working advance reporting for National Societies.

Audit and Compliance

• Support with providing National Society Working Advance Documents during NS the internal and external audits.
•  Ensure completeness of these documentation.
• Carrying out of SPOT check /expenditure verifications for the National Societies.
• Assist in reviewing project funding agreements and implementation of the same.

Support

• Support-trains, supports and assists program departments in matters to do with working modalities with the National Societies especially CRRA procedures.
• Assist in the communication and enforcement of all financial policies and procedures on accounts payable.
• Perform any other tasks as provided by the supervisor
• Act as replacement for other finance staff when they are on leave as per specific agreement
• Ensure and promote compliance with the Federation's financial procedures, budgeting system, monthly accounts closure, bank reconciliation & processes.
• Prepare the monthly field returns files in accordance with the deadlines, ensuring the availability of all supporting documents.

Audit and Compliance

• Support Audit preparation and document retrieval. Reviewing the documents for completeness before submission to auditors with regards to accounts payable and transfers and expenditures from National Societies
• Follow up on recommendations provided by auditors to ensure that they are adhered to.

Education

Required:

• University Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or any other relevant fields
• Knowledge of accounting software.

Preferred:

• Full professional accountancy qualification (CPA (K), ACCA, ACA

Experience

Required:

• Proficient in MS Office; Microsoft Outlook and Word in Particular
• Demonstrated experience in reconciliation of various accounts
• Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
• Willing and able to travel whenever required for work purposes
• Self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative
• Able to prioritize and meet deadline
• Able to work in a team
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct

Preferred:

• 5-7 years or more experience in working in a finance office in an International Organisation, INGO or NGO
• Experience in project management (budgeting cycle and reporting)
• Previous experience working at the Federation Delegation, ICRC and/or National Society will be an added advantage
• Knowledge of office management systems and procedures

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Proficient computer skills
• Ability to work under pressure and keep the deadlines
• Accuracy and fine attention to detail
• Fluent spoken and written Turkish  and English

Preferred:

• Broad understanding of Red Cross/Red Crescent activities
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust 

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.