Senior Finance Officer (El Geneina) – CRS

Job Description

Organization	Catholic Relief Services
Job Title:	Senior Finance Officer
Supervisor	PM II – Grants Manager
Duty Station	Sudan, West Darfur, El Geneina
Closing Date:	29 Dec 2024

About CRS:

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.  CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Background:

CRS Sudan will be implementing an emergency food security program to address acute food security shocks in Sudan. The project will serve as a food pipeline for affected populations in Central and West Darfur.

Duties and responsibilities:

Job Summary:

As a Senior member of the Project team, you will collaborate with partners and local implementing partners (LIP) on sub-grant management and compliance in support of CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. This includes developing and embedding best practice to comply with donor financial rules, expenditure tracking, monitoring and providing management information on key risks, contributing to the implementation of improved financial systems and processes to facilitate better donor reporting and compliance, and capacity building of partner/LIP staff with grants and compliance related roles.

Job Responsibilities:

• Prepare and review Partner budgets ensuring high quality standards and optimum cost recovery in alignment with organizational and donor requirements.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Under the guidance of the Grants and Compliance Manager, communicate with donors or CRS donor account managers to help resolve specific problems or respond to donor information requests.
• Provide technical guidance and support in setting up systems to monitor adherence to financial and procurement rules to comply with CRS and donor agencies.
• Regular monitoring and management reports against key indicators, taking appropriate action where necessary including flagging risks for appropriate management action
• Track, document and disseminate donor reporting trends, quality assurance issues and feedback from donors.
• Support contract management capacity development through inception workshops, coaching, mentoring, online training and other support as required.
• Guidance on and review of narrative and financial reports to ensure quality assurance before submission to donors.
• Technical guidance and support in preparing for and managing donor audits including liaison with auditors and negotiating contested findings where appropriate.
• Develop and maintain excellent professional relationships with colleagues, counterparts and donors.
• Ensure adherence and compliance to CRS requirements – SRFMP, FFATA, TIP and other Compliance requirements Ensure timely capturing of all partner data in insight, TB Management and advance tracking. 
• Ensure proper filing of all Partner and project records. 
• Overseeing partner cashflow 
• Collaboration with logistics and SCM for proper inventory management 

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or professional qualification in Accounting, Finance, Business Studies, Auditing, Economics or related field
• CPA, ACCA, CISA
• At least 4 years’ experience for finance-related work for an NGO
• In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting; specifically related to donor financial compliance audits
• Experience of setting up and managing donor compliance monitoring systems, developing and implementing relevant tools
• Strong financial skills encompassing proposal budgeting, income tracking, budget monitoring and financial reporting

Required Languages – Fluent written and spoken English is required; fluent written and spoken Arabic is preferred.

Travel – Must be able and willing to travel in project sites up to 25%, including remote field locations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Project Leadership; Grants & Compliance Manager, Finance Manager, Procurement, and HR/Administration teams

External: Project consortium members, LIPs, government ministries, CSO/CBOs, and other stakeholders.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

If applicable: Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

 Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

“CRS’s emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a crèche at

the office, and flexible working hours where possible. “

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to apply

Submission location: – 

If interested, please submit cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates to Catholic Relief Services- Sudan – West Darfur – ElGeniena Office. Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number where you can be reached.