Program Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, established to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote humanitarian activities by National Societies. With a network of 191-member National Societies, the IFRC aims to prevent and alleviate human suffering, contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace globally. The organization operates under fundamental principles such as humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is guided by its Strategy 2030, focusing on global reach and local action, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with several regional offices across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC plays a crucial role in responding to humanitarian crises, including the ongoing Syrian conflict and the recent earthquakes in Turkey, supporting local efforts through the Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS).

Job Overview:
The Program Finance Officer is responsible for providing effective financial reporting and accounting support to the IFRC Office in Turkey. This role is crucial for ensuring the financial management of the Turkey Population Movement Operation International Appeal and other programs implemented by the Turkish Red Crescent Society. The officer will ensure compliance with Federation standard procedures, policies, and regulations while enhancing the operational efficiency of financial services. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management, ensuring that funds are utilized effectively and in accordance with established guidelines. The officer will work closely with project managers to prepare operating budgets, review spending, and ensure that financial practices align with donor requirements and internal controls. This role also involves training and supporting program departments in financial matters, ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures, and acting as a liaison between the IFRC and National Societies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Finance Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Financial Management and Controllership: Supporting project managers in budget preparation, reviewing budgets quarterly, and ensuring timely budget revisions. Monitoring project spending against income and reporting discrepancies. Managing PNS budgets and invoices, ensuring correct financial coding before transaction booking.
• Internal Control and Risk Management: Collaborating with National Societies to ensure expenditures are booked correctly and comply with project funding agreements and Federation procedures.
• Financial Reporting: Assisting in the production of financial reports for donors, ensuring National Societies adhere to funding and reporting requirements, and preparing updates on donor funding.
• Audit and Compliance: Supporting the preparation of National Society Working Advance Documents for audits, ensuring documentation completeness, and conducting expenditure verifications.
• Training and Support: Training program departments on financial procedures, enforcing compliance with financial policies, and preparing monthly field returns files.
• Audit Preparation: Assisting in audit document retrieval and ensuring completeness before submission to auditors, following up on auditor recommendations.
• Additional Responsibilities: Acting as a replacement for other finance staff during absences and performing other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a University Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Knowledge of accounting software is essential. A full professional accountancy qualification such as CPA (K), ACCA, or ACA is preferred. Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Outlook and Word, is necessary. Candidates should demonstrate experience in account reconciliation, adaptability to changing conditions, and the ability to travel for work. Strong judgment, initiative, and the ability to prioritize tasks are also important. Candidates should possess a high degree of integrity and discretion.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a University Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a relevant field. A full professional accountancy qualification (CPA (K), ACCA, ACA) is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise in financial management and accounting practices.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 5-7 years or more of experience working in a finance office within an International Organization, INGO, or NGO. Experience in project management, particularly in budgeting cycles and reporting, is essential. Previous experience with the Federation Delegation, ICRC, or National Society is advantageous, as is familiarity with office management systems and procedures.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written Turkish and English is required. A good command of another IFRC official language, such as French, Spanish, or Arabic, is preferred, enhancing communication capabilities within the organization and with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time, with specific responsibilities that may require flexibility in working hours. The role may involve international recruitment, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the hiring process. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job ad.