Finance Officer (Sr) - Field Only

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 individuals from all faiths and secular traditions 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 people, particularly 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 Finance Officer (Sr) 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 set 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 Finance Officer will efficiently provide 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 Finance Officer 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 Finance Officer will be responsible for 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. This includes assigning payment records to the appropriate accounts payable staff for invoice creation in the financial accounting software Insight. The officer will create payments for financial transactions following the approval of received invoices. Additionally, the officer will examine and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities, advise on corrective measures, and prepare necessary journal entries and adjustments. The Finance Officer 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 officer will evaluate and monitor the financial management processes of sub-recipients in accordance with policy and enhance the financial capacity of partners in accounting and financial transactions. The role also involves preparing various periodic and special reports as needed, conducting variance analysis to assist in decision-making and effective financial resource management, providing information to sub-recipients and staff on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance, and contributing to capacity building efforts. The Finance Officer will also fulfill assigned treasury functions, including monthly cash flow forecasting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies. Attention to detail and accuracy is crucial, along with ethical conduct that aligns with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics. The ideal 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, as well as a commitment to ethical conduct. The candidate should also demonstrate a proactive approach, ingenuity, and a focus on solutions and results, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a related field is required, with coursework in accounting or a qualification in accounting (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. Knowledge of 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 anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriate candidates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. All offers are contingent on the selected candidate's ability to legally work in the location of the position. Candidates must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance, and some work permit processes may require a separate government-administered medical examination.