Country Finance Manager

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental, and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

1. Background

DRC Cameroon began its operations in Cameroon in 2018 responding to the humanitarian needs of refugees from Central African Republic (CAR) and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Adamawa region. Currently, DRC operates a regional office in Meiganga and two sub-offices in Djohong (Adamawa region) and Garoua-Boulai (East region). Interventions focus on finding durable solutions for the most vulnerable, using the holistic graduation approach to improve both protection and economic recovery. subsequently, in late 2018, DRC started its activities in the South-West region of Cameroon in late 201 to respond to the needs of forcibly displaced people in the context of the Anglophone crisis, starting humanitarian activities in January 2019. DRC operates in the divisions of Meme, Fako, Kupe-Manenguba and Ndian with an office in Buea and a sub-base in Kumba. Programming focuses on rural and hard-to-reach areas to meet people’s basic needs for food, shelter, and NFI, while improving the protection environment and providing income-generating opportunities.

In 2023, DRC expanded its activities to the Far North of Cameroon to provide a protection, positive peace, governance, and economic resilience response to the multidimensional and interconnected crises affecting the region.

2. Purpose

Danish Refugee Council is currently looking for a Finance Manager in Yaounde. Under the supervision of the Head of Support Services (HoSS), the Finance Manager will ensure that all financial functions in the country programs, including accounting, payments and banking payroll, budgeting, financial reporting (internal and external to donors and government authorities), capacity building of finance team, budgetary management training for support and program teams and grant financial management and compliance are done effectively and on time. The finance manager will manage a team of three staff members (One finance officer, One Finance Assistant and One Finance Intern) and Supervise technical the finance teams leaders in the fields.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Finance Management are the following:

• Financial Accounting, Management and Reporting

  • In close cooperation with Managers in geographical areas, reinforce existing procedures and systems for financial management and control in compliance with guidelines of DRC’s Operations Handbook, internal guidelines, and donor requirements.
  • Ensure that proper financial procedures are adhered to and maintained at the Country Office, in collaboration with Budget Holders and in compliance with DRC rules and regulations.
  • In collaboration with the Head of Support Services, work with and support Budget Holders in budget preparations, realignments, monitoring and follow ups.
  • In collaboration with the Head of Support Services, Ensuring the Quality of the Master Budget
  • Ensure day-to-day accounting functions, including regular cash verification, cash/bank reconciliation, monthly cashbooks closing, advances’ reconciliation, timely submission of accounts to HQ finance desk.
  • Ensure payments to suppliers and recurrent expenditures from the Country Office are made in a timely manner and authorization done as per IDRA and CT authorization.
  • Gather information from the relevant Area Offices to consolidate budgets for project proposals according to projects’ needs and donor constraints; Propose sufficient program and support budgets including mission’s investment plans in close collaboration with the Head of Support Services.
  • Ensure a controlled and smooth cash flow management process for Country Program and ensuring all Area Offices have sufficient cashflow for operations.
  • Oversee the management of bank accounts in country office, as well as oversee Cash management and safe(s).
  • Maintenance of the Country Master Budget on a monthly basis and highlighting any foreseen gaps to the Head of Support Services for gap management. Also responsible for dissemination of the same to the respective Area Offices.

• Capacity Development

  • Works closely with the Head of Support Services to implement, improve and maintain financial management policies, systems, structures, and procedures within the Country Office
  • Update the Job descriptions of finance department staff when required.
  • Provide technical support to the Area offices-based finance staff as well as providing leadership to the finance staff in the Country Office.
  • Proactively identify and act upon capacity Building needs of Finance staff based in the Country Office, providing training and other capacity-building where necessary to ensure that finance staff capacity is continuously developing.
  • Conduct on-the-job training for Budget Holders, guiding them through Budgeting, donor compliance and compliance to DRC handbook.
  • Plan field monitoring visits by the Country Office Finance staff to Area and Field office for field teams’ support

• Technical Line Management Responsibilities

  • Ensure an ongoing, accurate both physical & digital data filing system for all Finance vouchers in the Country Office and relevant documentation in the program finance offices.
  • Ensure master in the DRC Dynamics (ERP) System and responsible for training other finance staff in the Country Office as well as in the Area offices.
  • Manage special projects, assigned by the Head of Support Services.
  • On request, perform any other additional duties assigned by the supervisor(s) in order to allow the organization to function optimally.

4. Required Qualifications

• Post graduate University degree in Economics, Finance/Accounting or Business Administration.
• Minimum 5 years of international practical experience in financial management
• At least 3 years of experience working with INGOs.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in team management.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• Ability to prepare basic training modules on Dynamics, accounting, and finance management.
• Excellent Computer Skills (MS Office, Internet) and advanced proficiency in Excel are required.
• Proficiency (written and spoken) in the English and French language.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels.
• Proven significant financial management experience

5. Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets.
• Ability to prepare basic training modules on Dynamics, accounting, and finance management.
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels.
• Proven significant financial management experience.
• Working experience with relevant donors
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills.

6. General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employees should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employees should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employees should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employees shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.