Senior Finance Officer - RAPID

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 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 fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture dedicated to improving the lives of the poor worldwide. The agency employs a diverse workforce and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service. The organization has a strong emphasis on ethical practices and safeguarding policies, ensuring that all staff adhere to a Code of Conduct that reflects these principles.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance Officer for the RAPID initiative plays a crucial role in supporting the overall financial management systems, policies, and procedures of the program. This position is integral to ensuring compliance with CRS accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor regulations, and local legal requirements. The Finance Officer will coordinate daily financial activities, which include the preparation and delivery of financial services. The role involves consolidating financial processes, conducting transaction reviews, account analysis, compliance monitoring, and financial reporting and reconciliations. The Finance Officer will work closely with an experienced finance team to ensure strong stewardship of RAPID’s resources across all countries, enabling timely and effective humanitarian assistance in response to crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Finance Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks including: reviewing and validating supporting documentation of financial transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness; setting up and maintaining data for processing financial transactions in accounting systems; ensuring proper recording of financial transactions with appropriate authorizations; analyzing accounts to detect irregularities and advising on corrective actions; collaborating with finance teams to clear open advances and receivables; evaluating and monitoring subrecipient financial management processes; preparing periodic and ad hoc financial reports; performing variance analyses to assist with decision-making; and providing information to subrecipients and staff on financial accounting policies. The officer will also perform treasury duties such as cash payments and receipts, and collaborate with finance teams to ensure smooth financial operations.

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/ACCA or equivalent. A minimum of 2 years' experience in a similar role is required. The ideal candidate should demonstrate proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel, and possess excellent analytical skills with a keen attention to detail. A proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented mindset is essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.

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. Alternatively, candidates may hold a professional accounting qualification such as CPA or ACCA. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of financial management within the context of humanitarian assistance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in a role with similar responsibilities, ideally within an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution. Experience with financial reporting software and knowledge of public donors’ regulations are preferred, as they will enhance the candidate's ability to navigate the financial landscape of humanitarian projects effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. While additional language skills are not specified as required, proficiency in other languages may be considered an asset, particularly in regions where CRS operates, as it can facilitate communication and enhance collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote-global role, meaning that candidates can apply from anywhere CRS is registered to work. However, CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees. The pay range for this position is between $64,647 and $77,268 annually, applicable to applicants performing the job within the US or classified as International Assignees. Staff hired on local payroll will follow the respective country pay range. The successful candidate may be required to travel up to 25% of the time. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. Benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment.