Chargé Principal des Finances

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's processes and policies reflect its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.

Job Overview:
The Chargé Principal des Finances will play a crucial role in coordinating accounting systems, policies, and procedures for the country program (CP) and will contribute to their implementation in accordance with established accounting standards by CRS, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), donor regulations, and legal obligations. This position is essential for supporting quality programs that serve poor and vulnerable populations. The successful candidate will provide effective accounting services by documenting financial transactions, compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing accounting entries, and delivering financial reporting services. Depending on the complexity and scope of the CP portfolio, the Chargé Principal des Finances may be responsible for providing accounting and financial reporting services for the entire program, for a field office, or for either receivable or payable transactions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Chargé Principal des Finances include reviewing and validating supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure that all required documents are accurate and complete, and that necessary approvals have been obtained. The role involves assigning payment records to the appropriate staff for invoice creation in the Insight financial accounting software, creating payments for financial transactions following invoice approvals, and examining and analyzing various accounts to detect irregularities. The candidate will advise on corrective measures and prepare necessary journal entries and adjustments. Additionally, the Chargé Principal des Finances will monitor disbursement and collection schedules, alert relevant staff about due payments/settlements, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timely financial resource management. The position also requires evaluating and monitoring the financial management processes of sub-recipients in accordance with policy and strengthening the financial capacity of partners in accounting and financial transactions. The candidate will prepare various periodic and special reports as needed and conduct variance analysis to assist in decision-making and effective financial resource management. Furthermore, the Chargé Principal des Finances will provide information to sub-recipients and staff on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and contribute to capacity building efforts. The role includes fulfilling assigned treasury functions, including monthly cash flow forecasting.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Chargé Principal des Finances position should possess excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies. Attention to detail and accuracy are paramount, along with ethical conduct in compliance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics. The candidate should be proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, and results-driven, with the ability to work collaboratively with others. Preferred qualifications include strong analytical skills, precision and thoroughness, ethical conduct, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a related field, with coursework in accounting or a professional accounting qualification (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).

Experience:
A minimum of two years of experience in a position with similar responsibilities is required, preferably within an international NGO or a financial/banking institution. Familiarity with relevant public donor regulations is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in French (written and spoken) is mandatory, along with proficiency in local languages. Knowledge of English is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 10%. The successful candidate will be expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS offices are located. All offers are contingent on the selected candidate's ability to legally work in the position's location.