Financial Monitoring consultant

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation / Stichting Vluchteling (SV) is an emergency relief organization based in the Netherlands. SV supports partner organizations worldwide to assist displaced populations. In case of acute need, SV provides funding to international and national partners to provide direct assistance, such as shelter, medical care, clean drinking water and sanitation, amongst others. SV communicates and informs the Dutch public on the humanitarian work of our partners and the situation displaced people are facing.

SV has been working for years with various local, national and international organizations in the West and Central Africa region (DR Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, CAR, Burkina Faso). A further commitment to working with local and national partners is expected.

To ensure the high quality of the implementation of the projects in West Africa region, SV is looking for a:

• Financial Monitoring consultant
  West and Central Africa
  (Consultancy assignment – 0.4 to 0.6 FTE)

Purpose of this position:

The Financial Monitoring consultant will play a critical role in ensuring the efficient and transparent utilization of financial resources in the SV-funded projects. This position will be responsible for monitoring, analysing, and reporting on financial transactions, compliance with funding agreements, and the overall financial health of projects and partner organizations.

Before engaging with partners on a project level, SV carries out an Organisational Capacity and Risk Assessments (OCRA). Such assessments are repeated every three years. During project implementation SV, relies on the Administrative Organization (AO) and Internal Control (IC) systems of our partners in-country. But it is essential to carry out monitoring visits to see if projects are well executed. Currently these visits often focus too much on the execution of the project itself, and SV identified the need to verify better how the day-to-day internal control activities are performed at all levels.

For this, SV intends to hire an additional financial monitoring capacity to supplement the organization’s capacity at HQ level in the Netherlands. The consultant will be asked to visit the projects implemented by our partners in the various countries on a regular basis.

Place in the organization.

The consultant will be a member of SV’s financial team, consisting of the Head of Operations, the Financial Manager Humanitarian Programs at HQ level, and 2 other regional financial consultants in Ukraine and Turkey. He/she will report directly to the Financial Manager Humanitarian Programs in SV HQ.

As SV has no offices in the region, this will be a home-based, remote working position, ideally from West or Central Africa.

What does the job entail?

• Conduct and update the financial part of the Organisational Capacity and Risk Assessments of local and international partners.
• Conduct regular and ad-hoc financial monitoring activities to ensure compliance with SV requirements, organizational policies, and international standards. Review financial documents, invoices, budgets, and expenditure reports.
• Provide financial monitoring support and advice to the Operations Team in SV’s HQ.
• Assess the design and operating effectiveness of procedures and internal controls of partner organizations.
• Drawing of sample checks based on the transaction lists related to the grants and verify underlying documentation for proof of eligibility of claimed cost.
• Support internal audit processes by providing financial data and documentation as needed. Collaborate with the HQ-based Operations team to address any findings or recommendations.
• Reflect with partner organisations on needs and gaps related to the financial part of the Organisational Capacity Strengthening.

What do we expect from you?

• At least five years of demonstrated relevant work experience in working with humanitarian and civl society organisations in West or Central Africa.
• Proven experience in financial monitoring, auditing, or financial management
• Knowledge of international financial standards and donor compliance regulations.
• A degree as a Financial Controller/Accountant
• Excellent oral and written skills in French and English
• Willingness to travel, including to conflict areas in West and Central African Countries
• Good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills
• Respectful attitude, ability to invest in development of equitable partnerships
• Can-do approach, flexible, enthusiastic, are desirable qualities.

What do we offer you?

• A dynamic short-term consultancy position in a professional organization
• A part-time consultancy contract for initially six months, based in West or Central Africa
• Fees commensurate with skills and experience, and appropriate for a non-profit organization

Start date is negotiable, but the preference would be 1st September, or sooner if possible.