Director of Finance & Administration

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC continued to provide aid under Taliban rule and expanded its community development projects after the Taliban was ousted. IRC now works across eleven provinces. The IRC works with local communities to identify, plan and manage their own development projects; provides safe learning spaces in rural areas; provides uprooted families with basic necessities; and helps people find employment.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Director of Finance & Administration (DFA) for an upcoming USAID-funded, $50-60 million, 5 year project in Afghanistan called ‘USAID Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA)’. The project aims to empower Afghan youth by equipping them with market relevant technical and soft skills. AIYA seeks to improve learning outcomes and economic opportunities for both young men and women. The goal is to ensure that Afghan youth, especially girls and young women acquire technical and soft skills to thrive in the market.

The DFA will have primary responsibility to coordinate with the Chief of Party in providing overall financial and administrative support to project leadership to achieve project objectives. He/she will oversee all aspects of strategic and operational finance, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Chief of Party and other Senior Management team, as well as conforming to IRC’s financial control environment and CFO standards and objectives.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide oversight of Operations teams, including Finance, procurement, Grants Management, Logistics, HR, Security, and Administrative support staff.

• Establish project’s finance and supporting function policies, systems and procedures, and directs or performs their development, documentation, and implementation.

• Ensure that all policies and procedures are in compliance with USAID and the IRC policies, procedures, and requirements.

• Manage project finance activities and schedule to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by USAID and the IRC HQ.

• Working closely with IRC’s partnership unit, oversee partners, sub-grantees’ financial management and ensure compliance as per donor requirements.

o Oversee capacity building, monitoring and collaboration to ensure partners’ financial management systems also comply with USAID requirements

• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the Chief of Party and Country Senior Management Team advised of all situations which may have a negative impact on internal controls or financial performance in relation to the AIYA.

• Collaborate with country program’s Deputy Director for Finance and ensure timely dissemination of program finance information.

• Enforce internal control policies and procedures.

• Establish project finance roles and responsibilities matrix; ensure job descriptions are updated; recruit and maintain qualified staff to perform finance functions.

• In compliance with IRC policy, establish procedures regarding cash holding limits, cash movements and foreign currency holdings for the project.

• Assist with the preparation and revision of project budgets.

• Prepare the annual and monthly cash budgets based on approved funding.

• Support consortium partners with finance, accounting and administrative matters, maintain collaborative partner relations, and ensure effective delivery of project support when needed.

• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the IRC Finance team and Senior Management Team, supervise implementation of audit recommendations when necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a Master’s degree in Accounting.

• 5-8 years of managerial experience in similar Finance, Compliance, or Operations role supporting USAID and/or international donor projects in similar contexts.

• Experience with budgeting and financial reporting requirements on multimillion-dollar USAID-funded projects.

• Experience with financial management and reporting on projects with subawards.

• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures.

• In-depth knowledge of US Government financial management processes, rules and regulations required.

• Significant previous experience working in crisis-affected contexts, preferably in Asia and/or Afghanistan

• Experience managing USAID cooperative agreements and overseeing international and local sub-recipients and grantees.

• Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical.