Finance Specialist-Reporting and Budgeting

Finance Specialist-Reporting and Budgeting

WHO ARE WE?
We Danish Refugee Council assist 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 since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

OVERALL, PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

Ensure timely preparation of budgets for new project proposals, budget revisions, efficient budget monitoring, financial donor reporting, and audit process for the projects, in compliance with donor and DRC policies and procedures. The position will serve as the DRC Dynamics focal point for Project finance, Grants budgeting, and Master Budgeting.

Responsibilities:
1. Master Budget Focal Point

• Development of a country master budget for SMT informed decision making which is to be updated quarterly, based on DRC Policy Briefs in line with DRC Dynamics implementation.
• Serve as the country focal point for DRC Dynamics Budget Management and Master Budgeting, including providing support and troubleshooting on any issues raised and providing training to other staff on DRC Dynamics Budgeting and Master Budget management.

2. Budgeting

• Provide cost allocation based on gaps and ensure all actual gaps for each area are considered and considered when budgeting for each proposal.
• Timely budget preparation and ensure timely and well-coordinated budget preparation with all the program sectors and field offices.
• Manage the DRC AFG internal budgeting tool with fixed lines to ensure all relevant costs are accounted for therefore minimizing the risk of missed costs.
• Ensure flagged amendments are concluded (including NCEs)
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of budgets for new project proposals
• Ensure that new budgets follow internal DRC guidelines, and external donor guidelines and respect the 80-20 rule.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager and Head of Support Services to ensure inclusion of relevant support costs in new budgets and cost recovery of funding gaps as reported in the country master budget.
• Suggest corrective action to be taken by SMT to fill the gaps.

3. Budget Follow-up

• Ensure Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) are set up in DRC Dynamics as soon as grants are signed and serve as the main focal point for setting up the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for each budget in Dynamics according to donor guidelines and budget templates.
• Coordinate the budget follow-up and forecasting tool that will show financial progress against the program achievements. Follow up with each Area Manager and Budget Holder on spending and eligibility of costs incurred/posted to ensure a 100% utilization of grants.
• Enforce a regular monthly BFU review process where the Country Office reviews feedback from the field level BFU reviews, in collaboration with the Grants Management, Head of Program, and Head of Support.
• Monitor burn rates and implementation progress and flag grant underperformance and compliance issues to relevant FO AMs, Program Managers, and the Senior Management Team. Support follow-up actions to resolve grant challenges.

4. Donor Reporting and Compliance

• Timely reporting - ensured reports are submitted to the donor on time and better quality
• Donor compliance - ensure donor rules and regulations have been communicated and complied with (flexibility, …)
• Co-funding - introduced a co-funding template to help identification of transactions
• Ensure all documents are in place (fraud declaration, asset register.)
• Review monthly the Rolling Action Plan for financial reports due to donors in the coming month.
• Balance out the BFU report and prepare the financial report in the Donor format for submission to RO and HQ
• Support the Finance Manager in the preparation of the Afghanistan statutory report and coordinate the audit process.
• Update the Annual Performance Indicators for Finance monthly and submit it to the Finance Manager and Hoss for review/feedback.
• Follow up and ensure that partners are reporting on time. Review partner-submitted reports and do expenditure verification.

5. Financial Management

• Setup and organize project BFUs in a way that enables Area Managers and budget holders to ensure effective budget monitoring and control
• In cooperation with the Finance Manager, proposing and drafting necessary adjustments or rebooking of entries on an ongoing basis
• Provide the systematic financial analysis to each HoP &AM on the BFUs on the utilization of the budgets as planned

6. Installment follow-up

• Track installments and ensuring requests are submitted to donors and proper/timely follow-up is in place.
• Flag any issues with installments to HoSS and HoP for follow-up.

7. Partnership Management

• Build and strengthen the capacity of partners in financial management. Plan and organize regular training and other capacity-building initiatives such as exchange visits to ensure that partners/subrecipients acquire and maintain the skills required to manage financial resources provided by DRC and other donors.
• Support the financial assessment of new grant proposals and budgets from partners.
• Carry out the review of quarterly financial reports received from partners - identify, investigate, and report.
• Carry out partner financial monitoring visits during the term of their grants to review supporting documents underpinning financial reports and ensure that these comply with donor (e.g., US Government) requirements.
• Provide financial and donor compliance training and capacity building for partners as required.

DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 7 years of proven progressive experience in finance-related positions
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working for INGOs
• Proven experience in working with financial management of projects funded by humanitarian donors
• Solid knowledge and understanding of financial compliance and procedures
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work under pressure
• Excellent skills in the use of computers (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint);

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Excellent verbal and written English.

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

Department: Borgergade 10, 3.sal , København K

Location: Kabul Afghanistan