Programme Finance Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a humanitarian organization that has been operational for over 90 years, founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC specializes in responding to emergencies and assisting uprooted communities in rebuilding their lives. With a presence in more than 40 countries, the IRC provides emergency relief, relocates refugees, and supports communities in recovering from disasters. The organization is committed to bold leadership, innovation, and accountability to those it serves, advocating tirelessly for the most vulnerable populations. In the UK, IRC UK operates as part of the global network, focusing on raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and increasing funding to restore health, safety, education, and economic wellbeing for those affected by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also been directly providing integration services to refugees in England through its Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) department. The organization has offices in several European cities, including Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva, and Stockholm.

Job Overview:
The Programme Finance Manager is a pivotal role within the IRC UK RAI programme, responsible for leading financial management and acting as the day-to-day finance partner for the programme team. This position emphasizes the integration of financial thinking into programme decisions, rather than merely reporting on financial outcomes after the fact. The Programme Finance Manager is tasked with driving high-quality financial processes throughout the entire programme cycle, which includes contract reviews, budget proposals, financial planning, reforecasting, reporting, performance monitoring, risk management, and compliance. The role also involves line management of the Programme Finance Officer and building the financial capacity of the wider programme team. A key aspect of this position is the exploration of how AI tools can enhance the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of financial management in daily operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Finance Manager will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Strategy, Planning and Finance Business Partnering (30%): Contributing to the annual planning cycle, developing financially sound programme strategies, providing strategic financial insights, and partnering with programme leads to shape new business and funding strategies.
• Budget Monitoring and Planning (25%): Leading the preparation of project budgets, coordinating with global headquarters, preparing budget guidelines, and providing monthly Budget vs Actual reports.
• Grants and Contracts (20%): Leading grant meetings, assessing financial risks, supporting programme design, and providing capacity-building support to partners.
• Accounting, Risk, Audit and Internal Controls (10%): Maintaining internal financial controls, preparing financial risk registers, and ensuring audit readiness.
• Line Management (10%): Supervising the Programme Finance Officer, setting objectives, and supporting their professional development.
• Capacity Building and General (5%): Creating finance training for non-finance colleagues and implementing process improvements.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Programme Finance Manager position must be a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with a strong understanding of charity finance, including financial management and reporting. They should possess excellent Excel skills for budgeting and data analysis, along with strong written and verbal communication abilities to present financial information to non-finance audiences. The candidate must be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment. They should also have the ability to build strong relationships across various levels and functions within the organization, and be comfortable working with multi-currency budgets. An interest in integrating AI tools into financial processes is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant educational background that aligns with the requirements of a qualified accountant. This typically includes a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, along with professional qualifications such as CCAB or equivalent.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in financial management and monitoring, particularly in supporting programmes. This includes experience in budgeting, reforecasting, donor financial reporting, and contributing to strategic financial planning. Experience in grants and contract management for donor-funded projects, as well as line management or supervision of staff, is also essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience contributing to audit processes and maintaining audit-ready financial records.

Languages:
While the job does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication. Additional languages may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in the UK. The salary for this role is set at £55,000 per year, with compensation determined by various factors including the labor market, job type, and individual candidate experience. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. The IRC UK is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented groups and refugees. The recruitment process includes an online assessment followed by two rounds of panel interviews. The deadline for applications is Sunday 2nd August at 11.59pm BST.