Employment Opportunity

Senior Finance Officer, Full-time
Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children

BACKGROUND:

The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children works to improve the lives and defend the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and adolescents. As an advocacy organization the Women’s Commission is dedicated to bringing about systemic changes that lead to greater respect for the rights of uprooted women, children and adolescents. The organization strives to effect policy change with broad, worldwide impact. The Women's Commission is affiliated with and is legally part of the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, but does not receive direct financial support from the IRC.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for the overall management of the Women’s Commission finances, including implementing the accounting systems, monitoring the budget, managing the tracking and monitoring of the organization’s grants expenditures. Also, s/he facilitates timely and accurate reporting of financial and budgetary information to the Board and donors, as well as the IRC Finance Department. The Senior Finance Officer will supervise the Grants Manager and will report directly to the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Board Liaison and Strategic Planning:

Reports directly to the Executive Director; responsible for the management of Women’s Commission finances, for improving the soundness of the Women’s Commission’s financial base, and for the implementation of all financial processes.
Participate in the strategic planning for the Women’s Commission, with particular responsibility for providing sound financial analysis and advice. Advise the Executive Director on financial matters and produce financial analyses (e.g., of financial trends) as needed.
Act as staff liaison to the Women’s Commission’s board finance committee and board co-chairs, present financial data to the committee, and attend board meetings.

Budget Management:

Prepare Women’s Commission’s annual organizational budget, optimizing the allocation of resources for particular expenses, depending on grant restrictions.
Train staff in budgeting.
Monitor spending and cash flow against budget.
Prepare and review quarterly budget vs. actual spending with program staff.
Prepare quarterly organizational operating statements; forecast revenue and expenses on a quarterly basis.
Work with program staff to prepare budgets for proposals to be submitted to donors.
Review budgets submitted by sub-grantees.

Accounting Management:

Ensure appropriate financial internal controls, proper accounting methodology and adherence to internal and external reporting deadlines as related to general accounting functions.
Ensure proper financial accountability required of all staff, including travel advances, corporate credit cards, and expense claims.
Analyze monthly General Ledger to ensure proper coding of revenue and expenditure, and journal entries.
Analyze monthly salaries and benefits, and transfer total amount to the parent company.
Assist with preparation for annual audit.
Ensure completion of day-to-day accounting transactions—e.g., financial statements; monthly allocation of salary, rent, and overhead expenses; monthly recognition of revenue, including indirect cost recovery.
Prepare financial reports for internal management purposes and for external donors.

Grants Management and Supervision:

Ensure continued compliance with regulatory, contractual, legal and financial compliance requirements associated with USAID, BPRM and UN funding.
Work closely with IRC Grants Unit to maintain updated knowledge of USG regulatory, statutory and administrative requirements.
Ensure financial reporting on grants and contracts in compliance with donor requirements.
Monitor and track sub-grants, including review of proposals and financial reports.
Track fund balances to avoid overspending in grants.
Ensure proper management of petty cash and staff expenses.
Supervise the Grants Manager.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance + Masters Degree in a related field or equivalent;
Minimum 7 years progressive finance/accounting experience, including working with a major ledger software package;
At least 2-3 years supervisory experience;
Previous finance/account experience in non-profit highly desirable;
Knowledge of Sun Systems and Vision for Sun Systems/Vision Executive preferred;
Proven general knowledge of Fund Accounting - Knowledge of US Government and European Union regulations highly desirable ;
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively and diplomatically manage collegial relationships in a multi-cultural environment;
Effective people management skills: the ability to lead staff and promote productivity in a pleasant work environment;
Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team;
Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment & independently and ability to meet unexpected demands;
Good Computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.

Reports to: Executive Director

Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children

Position: Regular, Full-time, Exempt

Location: New York

Updated: January 2008

To apply submit résumé and salary requirements e-mail to:

Mary Jane Escobar-Collins , Operations Officer

E-mail: human.resources@womenscommission.org

No telephone calls please

The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children/ International Rescue Committee considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.