Country: Sint Maarten (The Netherlands)
Closing date: 01 Jul 2018
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 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 Roving Finance Delegate.
Position title: Roving Finance Delegate Caribbean
Duty station: Sint Maarten (Dutch Caribbean)
Time period: 12 months
Starting Date: July 2018
Status: Single posting
Purpose of the position
The main purpose of the position is to monitor, support and check financial processes for NLRC implemented projects in the Caribbean (Sint Maarten Irma Recovery programme, Aruba +Bonaire +Curacao +Sint Maarten Ondersteuningsfonds projects, NLRC programming in Haiti).
Background
The Netherlands Red Cross has branches on 6 Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius). These branches are part of the NLRC and are active in disaster management and social projects through NLRC funding and own fundraising activities. 4 of the islands are also implementing institutional donor funded projects. On Sint Maarten a large scale hurricane recovery programme is being implemented, funded by public campaign and ministry of Interior Affairs donations. Next to this, NLRC is supporting projects with the Haitian Red Cross on Haiti – a long term bilateral partner of the NLRC -, funded fully by institutional donors, such as the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs and EU.
The NLRC branches in the region have limited experience with external donor reporting, and the Sint Maarten recovery programme is a large scale intervention, requiring close financial monitoring. Due to high turnover of staff on the desks and in country a number of financial issues within programming in Haiti have not been fully addressed.
NLRC long term recovery on Sint Maarten is focusing on shelter repair (response activities ended in November and early recovery projects are being finalized in June & July), and there is scope for wider implementation of projects in livelihood/recovery cash based assistance, disaster risk reduction/preparedness, and social support projects. NLRC is also supporting other partners, such as UNICEF in school/PSS projects, and VNG International in government DM capacity building. Total project portfolio is around 18mln EUR for a period of at least 3 years since the hurricane.
On 4 other branches (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten), the Ondersteuningsfonds is supporting implementation of 12 projects, focusing on disaster management capacity and social projects, implemented by the branches directly. Total project portfolio is around 1.5mln EUR. The smaller branches on Saba and St Eustatius need financial capacity building in order to improve financial management skills of the newly recruited branch managers and within the boards.
In Haiti, NLRC has been implementing a number of Community Resilience projects over the last years. NLRC and Haitian Red Cross (HRC) were already partners before the 2010 earthquake. From 2014, Resilience projects have been implemented in the Department of Sud- Est (EU funded). Since May 2017 a new Resilience project started in Cotes de Fer, Sud-Est with an overall objective is to increase the resilience of vulnerable people in the two above mentioned departments by protecting, improving and diversifying livelihoods, improving access to water and enhancing local DRR capacity. NLRC has opened a new sub-delegation in Les Cayes few days after Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. The NLRC focused its relief interventions in the DRR, WASH and livelihoods recovery. UNICEF has been funding additional WASH activities also in Les Cayes.
Position in the organization
The Roving Finance Delegate reports into the NLRC Financial Control manager (to be recruited) based in the Netherlands. The Finance Control unit sits within the International Department of the NLRC.
The Roving Finance Delegate works together in day to day operations with the Head of Mission in Sint Maarten, Country Representative Haiti, and Branch Managers of NLRC Caribbean branches. Duty station of the position is Sint Maarten (estimated 60% of time), with Haiti (estimated 20% of time) and Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao branches (together estimated 20% of time). Ad hoc capacity building for Saba and Sint Eustatius branches upon request. Travel to Haiti and other NLRC Overseas Branches (OSBs) at least 1x per quarter.
Summary statement and responsibilities
· Conduct financial reviews in the field: analyze the financial management and risks, internal controls, reported expenditure versus approved budgets, balances per project.
o Monitor and ensure that the financial management at field level is carried out in accordance with the agreed contractual conditions, MoUs, applicable local laws and other regulatory requirements.
o Advise on the execution of the project administration at field level and ensure that correct financial reports are produced to steer and manage the project funding.
o Review the reported project expenditures including balance report and procurement table, provide feedback to country and NLRC HQ teams.
o Verify the project administration assuring this is audit proof, including reconciliation with the financial administration of the sister NS and that payments can be made according to plans.
· Provide mission reports with findings, recommendations and action plans to the project managers/budget holders to follow up by Country Representative and desk. Ensure that the financial reports are complete and an audit proof project administration is in place.
· Train the NLRC Project Delegates & local finance staff in the NLRC procedures for: internal control, financial planning, budgeting, budget revisions. Winpaccs Cost Control: encoding of vouchers and variance analysis; forecasting , cash request and reporting requirements.
· 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 Sint Maarten. This will include cash flow and cost control management (in Winpaccs accounting system) 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 to NLRC HQ.
- Monitor the budget of the delegation and all projects, and ensure accurate accounting, authorisation and internal control procedures. Investigate and address significant variances.
- 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.
· Support and provide expert advice for the (annual) budgeting process for NLRC branches
· Ensure consolidation of Ondersteuningsfonds projects (add reporting deadlines of contract), assist branches to enter all bookkeeping correctly in Excact on Line
· Consolidation of St Maarten recovery programme projects
· Build financial capacity within the branches of Saba, St Eustatius and Bonaire where necessary, ensure all required financial management procedures are in place
· Any additional assignment upon request
Requirements/Qualifications
Key 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
o A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension.
o A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
o 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 1 July to: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/104567/roving-finance-delegate-caribbean.html
For more information about the position, you can contact Jesper Jansweijer at jjansweijer@redcross.nl
The first interviews may take place in the week of 18th June – selection of candidates may start before the closure date of the vacancy.
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