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 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, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. The organization welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and dedication to serving those in need. CRS also prioritizes hiring candidates from the regions in which it operates, and if an expatriate is selected, the assignment duration will be informed by a term limit based on job type and agency needs. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer will support the finance department in managing accounting systems, policies, and procedures in accordance with established accounting standards by CRS, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), donor regulations, particularly from ECHO, and legal requirements. This role is crucial for ensuring high-quality programs that serve poor and vulnerable populations. Based in Goma, the Finance Officer will be part of an experienced financial team, coordinating daily financial activities through the preparation and delivery of financial services. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures while providing support to program managers in budget monitoring and financial reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will be responsible for reviewing and justifying financial transaction documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness. This includes maintaining necessary data for processing financial transactions for assigned accounts in the Insight financial accounting package. The officer will record delegated financial transactions after obtaining appropriate authorizations and will examine various accounts for irregularities. Additionally, the Finance Officer will assist in evaluating the financial management processes of sub-recipients in accordance with policy and will help strengthen the financial accounting and transaction capabilities of partners. The role also involves supporting program managers in budget monitoring to ensure compliance with approved budgets, preparing delegated financial reports as needed, and sharing information with sub-recipients and staff regarding financial accounting policies and procedural compliance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should have experience working with international or local NGOs or financial/banking institutions. Knowledge of relevant public donor regulations is an asset, as is familiarity with financial reporting software. Proficiency in Excel and experience with Word and PowerPoint are essential. Candidates should possess excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies, strong organizational skills with attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical conduct in line with recognized professional and organizational codes. A proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, and results-driven approach is necessary, along with the ability to work collaboratively and a good understanding of various donor financial procedures (e.g., USAID, GF, ECHO).

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration is strongly recommended. Additional coursework in accounting or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent) is preferred.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of experience in accounting is required. Additional training may substitute for experience, indicating a flexible approach to candidate qualifications.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 25%. CRS emphasizes the importance of safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate will be expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. CRS's talent acquisition procedures reflect a commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially children and vulnerable adults, ensuring they live free from abuse and harm. The job description provided is not exhaustive and may evolve as needed.