Roving Finance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, dedicated to helping refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries around the globe, providing assistance and support to those affected by conflict and displacement. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of refugees and ensuring their access to essential services. With a workforce comprising thousands of employees, DRC is known for its effective programs and strong advocacy efforts aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations. The organization emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and excellence in its operations, striving to create a positive impact in the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Roving Finance Specialist position is a critical role within the Danish Refugee Council, focusing on financial management across the organization's operations in Nairobi. The specialist will serve as the technical anchor for donor budgeting and reporting, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, and forecasting. This role requires a high degree of independence and the ability to manage remotely, ensuring that financial outputs are timely, accurate, and compliant with donor requirements. The specialist will coordinate and advise on all financial aspects of the country’s reporting cycles, ensuring alignment with the Finance Chapters of DRC’s Operations Handbook. The position demands a proactive approach to financial management, with a focus on capacity building and coaching of finance staff and stakeholders to enhance their financial competencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Roving Finance Specialist will be responsible for a variety of key functions, including:

• Leading the development of donor proposal budgets and revisions, ensuring compliance with donor rules and internal strategies.
• Owning the end-to-end donor financial reporting cycle, producing clear and error-free reports, and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.
• Conducting monthly BFU meetings and variance analysis, providing insights and recommendations for financial management.
• Designing and enforcing quality control checklists to support compliance with donor and DRC rules.
• Strengthening the use of ERP/Dynamics for financial reporting and analytics.
• Running a financial calendar to ensure timely inputs and outputs for various departments.
• Providing remote mentoring and coaching to finance staff, facilitating practical clinics on financial analysis and reporting.
• Building and maintaining standard templates for reports and forecasts to streamline processes and reduce errors.
• Preparing documentation for audits and supporting partner capacity strengthening on budgeting and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 3 years of international practical experience in financial management within INGO or humanitarian settings. They should have at least 3 years of experience leading donor budgeting and financial reporting, with proven expertise in managing multi-donor portfolios. Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Dynamics, is strongly preferred, although experience with other ERPs such as SAP or NetSuite is acceptable. Candidates should demonstrate strong financial analysis and forecasting skills, along with the ability to provide technical guidance and training to others. A track record of working effectively with national partners and local authorities is essential, as is proficiency in advanced Excel functions for data analysis.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field is required for this position. Additionally, a professional qualification such as ACCA, CPA, or CMA is highly desirable, as it demonstrates a commitment to professional development and expertise in financial management.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in financial management, specifically within international non-governmental organizations or humanitarian contexts. They should have a proven track record in leading donor budgeting and financial reporting, showcasing their ability to manage complex financial portfolios and ensure compliance with donor requirements. Experience in providing technical guidance and training to finance staff is also essential, as is the ability to work independently and deliver results in a demanding environment.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and oral, is mandatory for this position. The candidate must be able to produce concise executive notes and communicate effectively with various stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it aligns with the regions in which DRC operates.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is for a duration of 12 months, classified under the National Contract Band G2, which is a non-management designation. The position is based in Nairobi, with a start date of April 1, 202

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees. The application process requires candidates to upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a maximum length of four pages. Applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is March 08, 202
• DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing and encourages women candidates to apply to bridge the gender gap. The organization values diversity and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect.