Finance Officer – Surge Roster/Interim

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Finance Officer – Surge Roster/Interim
Location: Turkey
Country: Turkey
Deadline Date: Please apply immediately; we will be reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, ensuring well-being, and advancing dignity across 16 countries worldwide. Established to respond to natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and chronic poverty, RI combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact and resilience. The organization focuses on critical areas such as health/nutrition, education, economic opportunity, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming, while also integrating protection, environmental concerns, climate change, and conflict mitigation in collaboration with the communities it serves. RI empowers communities to identify, design, and implement solutions tailored to their specific needs. The organization comprises three corporate members of the RI Alliance: RI-US, RI-UK, and MRCA/RI-France, operating under a shared management structure. RI is active in 16 countries, including some of the most fragile regions such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. With approximately 5,000 staff members, 97% of whom are local nationals, and around 90 international staff, RI's 2021 program budget was approximately $125 million, funded by a diverse range of institutional donors including the US, UK, Europe, and the UN. The organization is committed to supporting solutions that reinforce and improve existing in-country systems, and where such systems are lacking or underperforming, RI's crisis response aims to establish a foundation for sustainable change.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position is integral to the finance team, focusing on administrative tasks, financial systems, and the daily operations of the Country Program. This role is particularly crucial in managing financial transactions for the country program, ensuring adherence to RI's accounting procedures, and maintaining cash control in accordance with RI, donor, and audit requirements. The Finance Officer will be responsible for accurate cost allocation across multiple projects, thereby contributing to the overall financial health and compliance of the organization. This position is designed for individuals who are already based in Turkey, as it is an emergency role requiring immediate availability. Strong spoken and written Turkish is essential for effective communication and documentation. The Finance Officer will also play a key role in compiling monthly financial reports, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with procurement and accounting policies. This position is not only about managing finances but also about supporting the broader mission of Relief International by ensuring that financial resources are utilized effectively and transparently to serve vulnerable communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Performing administrative tasks such as tracking and monitoring procurements and expenditures, and maintaining an office purchasing, inventory, and requisition system.
• Compiling monthly financial reports, including in-kind commodity income and disbursements, for submission to the International Finance Controller and director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director.
• Collaborating closely with the Country Director and Program Managers to monitor project budgets and ensure financial compliance.
• Assisting project coordinators in adhering to RI's procurement and field accounting policies, as well as compliance with donor agreements and audit requirements.
• Working with project coordinators on project implementation planning and cash flow projections.
• Preparing donor reports and supporting budget revisions in coordination with Project Managers as necessary.
• Ensuring that financial records and backup documentation are prepared for internal and external audits.
• Providing technical finance support services to field office programs as required.
• Offering technical assistance to field programs and staff regarding financial processes and procedures. 1
• Upholding and promoting RI's commitment to safeguarding and safety of vulnerable communities, ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies, and advocating for the inclusion of safeguarding activities within programs. 1
• Performing other related tasks as required, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Finance Officer position must possess a degree in accounting, business management, NGO management, or a related field. Experience in a finance position, preferably within non-profit organizations, is essential. Familiarity with US and EC government-funded grants, along with financial and administrative experience, is highly preferred. Strong attention to detail is crucial, as is fluency in written and spoken Turkish. Proficiency in Excel is also essential for this role. Knowledge of donor requirements regarding safeguarding standards and protection from exploitation and abuse is an added advantage. Candidates should demonstrate integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability in their work, aligning with RI's core values.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Finance Officer position includes a degree in accounting, business management, NGO management, or a similar discipline. This educational foundation is critical for understanding financial principles, accounting practices, and the operational needs of a non-profit organization. Candidates should have a solid grasp of financial management concepts and be able to apply this knowledge effectively in a practical setting.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Finance Officer position includes prior experience in a finance role, ideally within non-profit organizations. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing financial transactions, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures. Experience with US and EC government-funded grants is particularly advantageous, as it demonstrates familiarity with the specific financial regulations and requirements associated with such funding. The ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders and adapt to changing circumstances is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Turkish is mandatory for this position, as it is crucial for effective communication and documentation within the organization and with local stakeholders. Proficiency in Arabic is considered a bonus, as it may enhance communication with diverse communities and partners in the region. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their language skills during the application process.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks, and due to the nature of the emergency role, only candidates already based in Turkey will be considered. The role does not have direct reports or budget responsibility. The application process requires candidates to upload a CV and a cover letter, which should not exceed two pages. The closing date for applications is immediate, as the organization will review applicants on a rolling basis and may withdraw the position from the job board at any time. Relief International has a zero-tolerance policy for unlawful harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, and is committed to protecting staff and the communities it serves from harm. All staff are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct, and recruitment for all roles includes a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks.