Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The organization is dedicated to various programs 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 the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the most vulnerable. CRS prioritizes hiring local candidates and is committed to equal opportunity employment.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer will support the management of financial systems, policies, and procedures in accordance with established accounting standards by CRS, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), donor regulations, particularly ECHO, and legal requirements. This role is crucial for ensuring high-quality programs that serve poor and vulnerable populations. As part of an experienced finance team, the Finance Officer will coordinate daily financial activities through the preparation and delivery of financial services. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management and compliance, ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately documented and processed in a timely manner. The Finance Officer will also assist in maintaining financial data necessary for processing transactions and will play a key role in budget monitoring and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will be responsible for examining and justifying financial transaction documentation to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete. They will assist in maintaining all necessary data for processing financial transactions for assigned accounts in the Insight financial accounting package. The officer will record delegated financial transactions after appropriate authorizations and review various accounts for irregularities. They will help assess the financial management processes of sub-recipients in accordance with policy and enhance partner capacity in financial accounting and transactions. Additionally, the Finance Officer will support the program manager in budget monitoring to ensure compliance with the approved budget by the donor. They will prepare delegated financial reports as needed and assist in sharing information with sub-recipients and staff regarding financial accounting policies and procedural compliance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should preferably have experience with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution. Knowledge of relevant public donor regulations is an asset, as is familiarity with financial reporting software. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to detect and report inconsistencies. They should demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes. A proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, and results-driven approach is essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively with others.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration is strongly recommended. Candidates should have completed accounting courses or hold a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).

Experience:
A minimum of five years of experience in accounting is required. Additional training may substitute for experience, indicating that candidates with relevant certifications or specialized training may still be considered even if they do not meet the full five-year experience requirement.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 25%. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. 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 emphasizes the importance of safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the location where the position is based, and all positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance.