Italy: Finance Officer

Organizational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in 1980 and currently has a presence in over 45 countries. JRS undertakes services at local, national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.

The main services provided are in the field of education, emergency assistance, and psychosocial support and livelihood activities. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Operational Context

The Finance Officer (FO), based in the International Office in Rome and reporting to the Director of Finance, is responsible for managing and overseeing the Regional offices financial processes and accounts. He/she will provide operational support to field offices. The FO will assist the Finance Director in the development of JRS financial policies, procedures and supporting tools. He/she will play a key role in supporting the Education and Programmes Department through financial project management as well as assisting the Philanthropy and Development Department in relation to donors’ reporting. In collaboration with other departments in the International Office, Regional and National offices, the Finance Officer will ensure the planning of financial activities to maximise the efficiency of the Finance Department.

Report to

Director of Finance

Responsibilities

The Finance Officer will be responsible for providing operational and financial support on site and remotely to Regions. He/she will provide guidance with regards to financial processes related to procurement, travels, external and internal auditing. In particular, she/he will:

• Build people’s capacity in the area of Finance and Administration, budgeting and project costing;
• Assist the regions in case of financial investigations following internal procedures;
• Provide technical assistance, training and development on JRS financial tools and systems to Finance staff in the regions;
• Undertake remote and/or onsite regional financial reviews in close collaboration with the Regional Director and the Finance team;
• Assist staff in determining allowable and allocable costs for a particular award and whether costs should be charged direct, to the service center or to general funds;
• Actively work with all levels of management to gather, analyze, summarize, and prepare financial plans, budgets, cash flow projections, pipeline analyses, and operating forecasts;
• Conduct review of in-country expenditures and make recommendations for improvement in financial reporting, budget adjustments, and other cost improvement measures, as required;
• Support Regional Offices in preparing for and conducting annual external audits;
• Lead the development and review of new or existing financial policies, procedures and tools;
• Support Education and Programmes Department and Philanthropy and Development, with the design of budgets for funds applications following donor’s requirements in order to maintain good and sustainable relationship with key donors;

On demand

• Review assigned projects on a monthly basis, assessing cash burn rates, funding requirements, sub-grants, and contract and financial commitments;
• Monitor actual expenditure levels against budgets and funding obligations and proactively work with the field offices to ensure spending is within obligated amounts;
• Work closely with Human Resources to open and close country offices/projects;
• Provide accounting and financial support to the International Office when required.

Qualifications and experience:

• A University degree in accounting, finance, business and administration, international cooperation, project management or related areas;
• At least three (3) years of professional experience working in an accounting or finance-related role;
• Professional experience in a similar capacity with international, non-profit organizations;
• Financial analysis, financial reporting, cash flow analysis, budget development, and forecasting;
• Understanding of service center, fringe, and indirect rate application and allocation methodologies;
• Knowledge of US government cost principles, GAAP accounting rules, and grant/contract management;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage several major activities simultaneously;
• Ability to do both technical work and focus on “big picture” issues;
• Ability to create complex proposal budgets for diverse donors/sponsors.

Core values and competencies

• Enthusiasm for the faith-based mission of JRS and willingness to advocate based on the JRS mission and vision.
• Self-direction, creativity, and follow up skills to ensure work is accurate and deadlines are met;
• Ability to prioritize and manage tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and promote effective teamwork;
• Strong management and interpersonal skills;
• Good organizational skills and high attention to details;
• Ability to work with and maintain good relationships with multiple stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in working in developing countries is highly desirable;

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and one or more internationally-recognized accounting systems;
• Technical expertise in project management cycle (education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services) would be appreciated but not essential.
• High analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent command of Excel and other database applications;
• Prior experience in accounting, book keeping procedures, account reconciliation and data analysis;
• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures relating to accounting, financial controls and financial information systems;
• Strong knowledge of laws and regulations that have an impact on financial analysis and management controls.

Communication skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; professional working knowledge of French or Spanish is highly desirable;
• Excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to exchange non-routine information using tact and persuasion as appropriate;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Good knowledge of Italian will be considered as an asset.

Travel

• Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments (40%).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract is for one year, renewable, with a probation period of 3 months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. The salary is calculated with the use of a post-adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details will be discussed with short-listed candidates.

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents through this link:

1) Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English including three (3) professional references with their contact information, phone and email address.

2) A cover letter describing the candidate's desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.