Trócaire works in partnership with local and church organisations, supporting communities in over 27 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to bring about lasting change. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where; people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; people have control over their own lives; those in power act for the common good.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Trócaire is working with 17 local partners to bring about positive and lasting changes around women’s empowerment and gender based violence, resource rights, and humanitarian response in the Ituri Province. Protection and resilience are core pillars of the work across the different aspects of Trocaire’s work. The integrated programmes are funded by a variety of donors including Irish Aid, SIDA, Misereor, and WFP, among others.
To oversee the overall capacity building of partners’ governance and financial management structures while providing technical support and advice to Finance and Admin Manager and programme staff, Trócaire in the DRC is seeking to recruit a Senior Programme Accountant (SPA) to be based in Bunia, Ituri Province.
For the national candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.
Reporting to the Finance and Admin Manager, this is a national Fixed Term Contract of 1 year (with the possibility of extension) and is based in Bunia with frequent travel to programme locations and occasional travel to Kinshasa, Ireland or other locations. The candidate will be line managing a team of 2 to 3 Programme Accountants.
Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy:
Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Overarching:
Oversee the overall capacity building of partners’ governance and financial management structures,
Facilitate grant management processes while managing a portfolio of local partners
Lead the programme accountant within the programmes and ensure quality and timely reporting of partners and programme
Provide technical support and advice to Finance and Admin Manager and programme staff
In particular, this role will involve the following components:
Finance and Governance of Partner Organisations (30%)
Ensure partner financial reports are of high standard and reviewed on time and that report and procedures meet both Trocaire and donor requirements.
Lead on the review of Trócaire records ensuring that partner financial reporting is up to date and properly maintained, in accordance with Trócaire and donor requirements.
Oversee the ongoing process lead by Programme accountant (and SPA, where relevant for own partner portfolio) to appraise partner organisations financial controls and systems in line with the Trócaire partner governance and finance manual. This will include field visits, desk audits and other methods as appropriate. Ensure recommendations are implemented in agreement with the partner and programme staff.
Provide support to partner organisations, and to programme accountants in performing same, to enable partners to produce and submit accurate expenditure reports. Support will include overseeing the design of proper accounting and reporting systems, design of spreadsheets, training and on-going financial guidance.
Organise progress to date monthly meeting with team and Participate in relevant programme team meetings to ensure a full understanding of all programme work and any financial implications arising.
Ensure that partner financial management information is reported accurately and timely on Trocaire’s Information Management System, Salesforce.
Ensure the delivery of training to all partners on compliance with donors’ financial requirements by each of the programme accountant.
In the event of a major issue in relation to financial management at partner level, especially in the management of donor funds, the senior programme accountant will be required to be deployed to a partner organisation to ensure that financial management and reporting are carried out in accordance with Trócaire and donor requirements.
Financial Control and Reporting (30%)
To ensure that the programme team’s finance activities meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines as specified by the Finance and Admin Manager.
Assist the programme accountant in the preparation of donor reports, ensuring that the reports meet all donor financial reporting requirements and deadlines. Proactively communicate reporting deadlines to the relevant staff internally to enable forward planning.
Guided by the Finance and Admin manager, ensure that the relevant Trócaire organisational financial policies and procedures are adhered to and implemented in a standardised manner across all of the country programmes.
Oversee the close monitoring of all finance programme activities and keep the Programme Manager and Finance and admin Manager advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management.
Assist with donor, external and internal control audits as required, and in the implementation of recommendations both internally and with partners.
Assist with investigations into alleged fraud or irregularities at partner organisations.
Staff Capacity Building (20%)
Line manage and appraise two programme accountant and ensure all programme accountant work plan are in place, followed and promote monthly progress to date meeting with same
Provide technical financial advice and expertise to the country programme teams.
With the assistance of Finance and Admin Manager, provide basic training and guidance to the programme accountant and other country programme staff for skills improvement in the areas of budget preparation and monitoring, budget revision, reporting, and internal controls.
Assist in the induction and orientation of country programme staff including take the lead on the programme accountant induction.
Attend and actively contribute to regional and global finance meetings as required.
Internal Systems and Processes (10%)
Lead improvement of work processes and increase efficiency within the programme finance function.
Act as key point of contact for Programme team in relation to any issues arising from programme team, including programme accountant use of the global accounting package (Agresso Business World). If escalation required, bring to the attention of the Finance and Admin Manager and Programme Manager.
Act as Finance lead on the establishment and maintenance of a donor financial management system in order to ensure efficient & accurate reporting to donors in collaboration with the Business Development and Compliance Manager.
Budgeting (10%)
Assist the country Programme Manager and other budget holders in conducting the budget process for the country programmes, ensuring that appropriate levels of technical support and guidance are provided to all budget holders during the process of preparing the budget and subsequent reviews and revisions.
Assist Programme Accountants in the preparation of donor budgets; ensuring compliance with donor regulations and ensure that donor budgets are incorporated into the country budget & budget revisions. This includes supporting on and reviewing Partner Budget preparation, as well as supporting Programme Accountants on doing same.
Person Specification – The ideal person will have
(E) Qualification
Third level qualification in Finance and accounting, Business Administration or related field of study
(E) Experience
Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in overseas development and the humanitarian sector
Experience of financial management and reporting for major international donors including IrishAid, SIDA, UK DFID, European Union (DevCo and ECHO), other European Governments, UN (incl. WFP, CBPFs, CERF, Unicef), US Government funding (USAID, State Depts.), and other relevant trusts/foundations.
Proven track record of ensuring good finance management of institutional funding from successful grant applications.
Experience of managing grants financed by the donors such as: IrishAid, SIDA, European Union (DevCo and ECHO), Irish Aid, UK DFID, other European Governments, UN, US Government funding (USAID, State Depts.), and other relevant trusts/foundations.
Project cycle management using results frameworks and/ or logical frameworks.
Working with civil society partner organisations.
Training/capacity building in a multi-cultural environment
(E) Skills
In depth knowledge of finance and accounting management of small and large institutional donors funding.
Excellent finance and budget analysis and budget development skills.
Experience working with civil society partners and good understanding of partnership approach.
Proven strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively, analyse and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans and evaluate progress.
Ability to work in a complex organisation & consortium structure, with experience of distance/remote management preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead & work in a team.
Excellent and proven organisational skills.
Highly developed relationship, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
Excellent facilitation & capacity building skills and experience of applying them when working with individual partners or groups of partners.
Excellent written, oral and presentational communications skills.
Computer literacy skills in word, excel and internet/email.
Fluency in English; French (desirable).
(E) Qualities
Dynamic and willing to take initiative.
A team player but also willing and able to work with minimal supervision.
Capacity to be flexible and adaptable to changing contexts and priorities.
Deep commitment to social justice.
Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
Patient and pays high degree of attention to detail.
Understanding of, and empathy with, the role of the Catholic Church in development.
(E) Other
Cross cultural communication skills.
How to Apply
Application to be submitted :
Application should be submitted to the Trocaire DRC Human Resource Department and must have the following : CV (maximum 3 pages), Motivation letter (maximum 1 page), 3 references, diploma and work attestation if existing.
The application should be send to the following mailing address : [email protected] and [email protected]
The closing date for receiving application is the 24th of August 2019
N.B :
Female candidature are stronghly encouraged.
Only selected candidate will be contacted by phone or mail.
