Finance Officer Sr

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 children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and offers a comprehensive benefits package to its staff, reflecting its dedication to improving the lives of the poor worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer Sr plays a crucial role in supporting the effective implementation of the Country Program's financial management systems, policies, and procedures. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with CRS accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor regulations, and local legal requirements. The Finance Officer Sr consolidates financial processes, including transaction reviews, account analysis, compliance monitoring, and financial reporting. The incumbent will provide technical guidance to field and project finance staff, contributing to the strengthening of internal controls and improving financial efficiency and accuracy across all projects. This role requires a proactive approach to financial stewardship and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer Sr will be responsible for a variety of tasks including reviewing and validating supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness. The officer will ensure the setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions in the SunSystems financial accounting package. Recording financial transactions following appropriate authorizations is essential, as is reviewing and analyzing accounts to detect irregularities and advising on corrective actions. The officer will monitor disbursement and receipt schedules, alerting relevant staff of due payments and maintaining communication to facilitate timely financial resource management. Evaluating and monitoring subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy is also a key responsibility, along with preparing periodic and ad hoc financial reports and performing variance analyses to assist with decision-making. The Finance Officer Sr will provide information to subrecipients and staff on financial accounting policies and contribute to capacity strengthening, as well as perform assigned treasury duties while ensuring segregation of duties is maintained.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting such as CPA or ACCA. A minimum of five years' experience in international NGOs, local NGOs, or financial/banking institutions is required. Knowledge of relevant public donors’ regulations and proficiency in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) is preferred. Familiarity with SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software is also advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and a willingness to learn.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration, with specific coursework in accounting. Additional qualifications such as CPA or ACCA are highly regarded and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience, ideally within international or local NGOs, or in a financial or banking institution. This experience should encompass financial management, compliance monitoring, and reporting, as well as familiarity with donor regulations and financial accounting practices.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Portuguese is mandatory for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as they will be interacting with diverse stakeholders and preparing reports in these languages. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The Finance Officer Sr position may involve supervisory responsibilities and requires the candidate to be willing to travel up to 50%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is 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 and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.