Senior Finance Officer – Projects

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 relief and development services without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, and has a strong emphasis on ethical conduct and respect for diversity.

Job Overview:
As the Senior Finance Officer – Projects at CRS Kenya Country Program, you will play a crucial role in the effective implementation of the Country Program’s accounting systems, policies, and procedures. This position requires a deep understanding of CRS standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor regulations, and legal requirements. You will be responsible for overseeing Grants Financial Management and Reporting, conducting assessments and monitoring visits for subrecipients (SRs), and tracking progress on Integrated Capacity Improvement Plans (ICIPs). Your role will also involve ensuring timely project closures, managing audits, and facilitating continuous improvements in financial processes. Additionally, you will contribute to the capacity building of partners and maintain effective communication with subrecipients to ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of assigned subrecipients (SRs) to evaluate their financial capacities in compliance with CRS and donor regulations.
• Perform monitoring visits to assigned SRs, ensuring adherence to financial guidelines and providing necessary support.
• Track the progress of ICIPs, ensuring alignment with project objectives and financial milestones.
• Oversee the liquidation process for partners, ensuring accurate and timely completion.
• Manage the processing of wire/advance transfers to partners.
• Evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen the capacity of partners in financial accounting and transactions.
• Provide information to subrecipients and staff on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and contribute to capacity strengthening.
• Develop and provide status letters to SRs, communicating financial status, compliance issues, and any required actions.
• Actively engage in Monthly Budget Control Review (BCR) discussions with Budget Managers, providing insights and addressing queries. 1
• Lead the development and oversight of cost allocation strategies and calculators for new projects and proposals. 1
• Contribute to the business development process by participating in budgeting exercises, ensuring financial feasibility and alignment with CRS objectives. 1
• Compile and prepare donor reports, ensuring compliance standards and accuracy in financial reporting. 1
• Lead the timely closure of awards and projects, ensuring all financial aspects are appropriately concluded. 1
• Manage reclass entries, making necessary adjustments to financial records. 1
• Participate in project and SR audits, collaborating with auditors and internal teams. 1
• Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives for partners. 1
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules for assigned partners and maintain communication for timely financial resource management. 1
• Prepare periodic and ad hoc financial reports for assigned projects and perform variance analysis to assist budget managers. 1
• Facilitate effective communication on financial policies and procedural compliance among project stakeholders. 2
• Deputize for the Deputy Finance Manager in their absence.

Required Qualifications:

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including gender equality.
• Knowledge of relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and web conferencing applications.
• Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics. 1
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented. 1
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting such as CPA/ACCA or equivalent. This educational background is essential to ensure a solid understanding of financial principles and practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years’ experience in a role with similar responsibilities. This experience should preferably be within an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution, providing the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage financial processes and compliance.

Languages:
Proficiency in oral and written English is required for this position. This language skill is essential for effective communication with partners, stakeholders, and team members, ensuring clarity in financial reporting and compliance discussions.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may require travel to partner offices. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and emphasizes a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor worldwide. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. All candidates are encouraged to apply, especially those from marginalized backgrounds and people with disabilities. The successful candidate will be subject to a comprehensive background check and must adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.