Country: Sint Maarten (The Netherlands)
Closing date: 30 Oct 2017
We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.
The International Assistance department has opened a vacancy for a Finance Delegate on St. Maarten.
Duty station: St Maarten
Time period: 12 months
Starting Date: 1 November 2017
Status: Single posting
Purpose of the position
The finance delegate is the financial manager who is responsible for controlling, coordinating and advising upon the funds, budgets, administration, logistics, contractual matters and insurance of the delegation, as well as training and advising the St Maarten branch in financial and administrative matters regarding the NLRC projects. In addition, the finance delegate will play a coaching role towards the branch in order to strengthen their institutional capacities when it comes to finances, logistics and administration.
Background
The Red Cross branch on the island of Sint Maarten is part of the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) and has an established role in the Sint Maarten emergency support framework. In order to facilitate the roll-out of longer term and large scale projects, the Sint Maarten branch will also need to be strengthened and the number of volunteers expanded.
Following the devastating impacts of category 5 hurricane IRMA on the 6th of September 2017, NLRC started to organize relief efforts, focusing on food and water distribution, as well as other distribution of non-food items. A team of approx. 70 people (volunteers and paid staff) has coordinated Red Cross efforts in the areas of WASH, Restoring Family Links, health, shelter, food, mapping of the most vulnerable area’s and conducting assessments. Based on the assessment results discussions with the Government of St Maarten are still ongoing.
NLRC is currently in the transition to early recovery and longer term programmes on Sint Maarten. Most likely the focus will be on shelter recovery, vector control and hygiene awareness. To facilitate the local economy, which will probably see a decline due to the loss of tourism, programming will also focus on voucher or cash based systems as much as possible. Other focus areas include school-based programmes and targeting the most vulnerable population, which includes a large number of undocumented migrants.
According to the NLRC strategy the recovery programme will focus on increasing the resilience of beneficiaries and focus on building back better to avoid or reduce future disaster impacts. This approach takes into account the adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Increased resilience focuses on the building blocks of increased capacity of people to anticipate, adapt, respond and transform.
Position in the organization
The Finance Delegate will report hierarchically to the NLRC Program Manager/Head of Mission of St Maarten, with a strong coordinating relationship with Financial Control at NLRC HQ. The Finance Delegate will work according to the Standard Project Approach (SPA) with all relevant colleagues in the NLRC HQ
Summary statement and responsibilities
Coordination and management of funds and financial assets of the NLRC delegation and the projects with the overall support of the NLRC Head of Mission on St Maarten. This will include cash flow and cost control management as well the management of payments, cashier and payroll functions.
Financial reporting on a monthly basis for the project(s), in coordination with the Head of Mission on St Maarten and the Portfolio Officer/Financial Control based in The Hague. Provide support to ensure consistency between financial and narrative reporting. Provide financial information (overviews, budget expenditure) to the Head of Mission, Technical delegates, Project Assistant, Desk Officers and project managers on a monthly basis or at request.
Monitor the budget of the delegation and all projects, and ensure accurate accounting, authorisation and internal control procedures. Investigate and address significant variances.
Implement and control Winpaccs accounting system (accounting and cost control).
Compliance with the instructions (briefing, training and reporting) of Financial Control (FC) in The Hague.
Coordinate and advise upon the purchase and custom clearance of goods within the requirements of the donor in close cooperation with logistics in The Hague.
Develop job descriptions for local staff under Finance Administration Delegate’s supervision and coordinate with other delegates and line managers to ensure that job descriptions are prepared timely.
Train delegates and (local) financial staff in Winpaccs accounting system (accounting and cost control).
Requirements/Qualifications
- Bachelor in Finance Administration, or other relevant degree
- Five years of experience in financial management, accounting and control
- At least two year experience in working for a humanitarian aid organisation outside of Europe
- Knowledge of Winpaccs Accounting and Cost Control preferable, or willingness to complete the relevant training
- Experience in preparing budgets, cash flow statements and financial plans
- Experience in developing financial reports, and provide support to ensure consistency with narrative reporting
- Experience with donor formats and requirements incl. EU/ ECHO
- Strong communication and training / coaching skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience and proven
competence in preparing financial reports and explanatory notes on deviations
- Experience in problem identification and solution analysis
- Excellent practical computer skills (including excellent command of Excel spreadsheets and accounting software, as well as strong competence in Windows, Word processing, internet and email)
- Fluency in English required. Dutch is an advantage.
- Preferably experience in working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement
Key competencies
- Able to work in a team
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct
- Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
- Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative
- Ability to manage broad responsibilities with attention to detail
- Good interpersonal skills
- Stress resistant
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Hands on mentality
We offer
A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 30 October 2017 using our online application tool; https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/89480
For more information about the position, you can contact Marion van der Reijden at mreijden@redcross.nl
An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.
For more information of the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl. and www.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis
Acquisition for this vacancy will not be appreciated.