Vacancy Announcement

The Danish Red Cross (DRC) has an enduring partnership with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), which is guided by a Country Office (CO) based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The DRC Bangladesh CO is part of a Country Cluster which also comprises a DRC Nepal CO. The Country Cluster is supervised by a Country Cluster Manager (CCM) (based in Dhaka).

The DRC Bangladesh CO support to BDRCS is guided by a Country Strategy that covers the period 2022 – 2025. The Country Strategy focuses on support to communities to prepare for, anticipate, and respond to, and recover from disasters; the delivery of community health care services (including MHPSS); support to people to adapt to the impact of population movement; as well as promoting the engagement and inclusion of the most vulnerable, and marginalized groups in society. There is also an increasing focus on supporting BDRCS respond to the humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis within their programs, projects; integrate innovation as a priority; and explore new partnership opportunities.

Job Purpose:
The Finance and Admin Manager will be based in the DRC Bangladesh CO, which is an integrated part of the IFRC in Bangladesh and located in Dhaka. He/She will work under the supervision of the Country Cluster Manager, but in liaison with other members of the COs in Bangladesh, and the International Finance Department in Copenhagen. He/She will work closely with the Finance and Admin Manager counterpart in the DRC Nepal CO to create common approaches to Finance, Logistics, and Administration across the Country Cluster. The Finance and Admin Manager will be responsible for ensuring the functioning of the DRC CO’s Support Services unit (comprising Finance, Logistics, and Administration); as well as supporting BDRCS in financial management and capacity building for the effective development of programs under the DRC/BDRCS partnership. He/She will be the reporting manager for the Senior Finance Officer (based in Dhaka) and the Finance and Admin Officer (based on Coxs Bazar). He/She will provide overall supervisory support to other staff, including the Senior Program Support Officer, Office Assistant, and Drivers.

The Finance and Admin Manager is part of the Country Cluster Management Team (CCMT) which comprises the CCM, Head of Programs, and the Finance and Admin Manager. He/She may be required to take on delegated authority in the absence of the CCM and/or Head of Programs (Bangladesh).

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Finance Management (40%)

• Overall responsible for DRC CO meeting all DRC, donor and partners guidelines and requirements to financial management of DRC CO and programmes.
• Ensure DRC financial policies and rules/Standard Operational Procedures are followed and the financial management within the DRC / IFRC is legal (in line with government laws and regulations). Stay abreast of new DRC/ partner guidelines.
• Oversee the fund flow of the DRC CO projects at all cost centres (HQ, CO and NS) and programmes in accordance with budgets, maintaining accounts and programme contracts/agreements.
• Ensure review, quality assurance and timely submission of all consolidated budgets, cash requests and consolidated financial reports produced by DRC cost centres for Bangladesh projects. Update the Portfolio progress follow up tool with financial progress on projects and coordinate with project teams for the reports and budgets.
• Creation of projects and grants and upload budgets on ERP system – Microsoft dynamics Kompas.
• Develop and oversee implementation of DRC Bangladesh CO Master Budget and revise it as necessary (in collaboration with the Nepal Finance and Admin Manager). 
• Ensure cost efficiency and correct allocation of costs to relevant programmes/budget lines and monitor shared costs and time registration on the projects. Check for chargeable, non-chargeable, ineligible expenses.
• Prepare consolidated budgets for proposals / new programs, e.g. DG ECHO, DG INTPA, Danish MFA/Danida and other donors.
• Manage timely monthly reporting of all transactions in the DRC CO accounting system and the reconciliations and monthly reports and digitalisation of the supporting documents and vouchers on the ERP Become the super user of DRC CO accounting system and support DRC CO Finance and Admin Officers in using of system.
• Develop and supervise implementation of DRC CO internal control mechanisms and report back to management if any irregularity identified.
• Ensure that the DRC anti-corruption policy is implemented and understood and followed by all staff in the DRC CO and BDRCS.
• Manage audit process for programme financial and performance audits covering expenses at all DRC cost centres, including tendering process for auditors, preparation of financial statements and documents for audit, support Country Managers for response to management letters, develop audit trackers and implement audit recommendations.
• Contribute to the annual and quarterly DRC CO programme progress reports.
• Manage bank accounts required for the DRC CO/programmes including creation of new accounts and timely closure of accounts no longer required in line with DRC/IFRC processes.
• Review cash and bank payments and workflow invoices and ensure the accuracy of physical cash balances. Co-sign for DRC bank accounts in Bangladesh.
• Prepare tax declarations and ensure timely submission of correct payments to the tax authority.
• Work closely with BDRCS to ensure that DRC funds transferred to BDRCS are used and accounted for in accordance with approved budgets and provisions outlined in the project documents.
• Conduct field visits and review timely and regularly the vouchers of HNS along with financial reports.
• Support in Anchor budget process and grant allocation.
• Coordinate with ICA for project closing and year end processes.
• Proactively contribute to financial development in DRC e.g. by participating in DRC HQ finance meetings physical and online.
• Support DRC HQ in implementation of the new Document Handling System- Atlas.
• Collaborate with the CCM, and Nepal Finance Admin Manager to develop common operating modalities, benchmarks and data visualisation reports (e.g., Power BI / PFORT) for Finance, Logistics, and Administration within the Country Cluster.
• Manage the process of effective financial compliance including financial risk Internal management in the CO and the DRC supported programmes in BDRCS.

Administration (30%)

• Develop and oversee implementation of relevant administrative procedures for the management of the DRC Country Ofice.
•  Ensure that all DRC CO obligations with respect to the contracts & project agreement concerning administrative procedures are properly carried out.
• Supervise procurement of goods and services following standard practices and keeping documentation to full audit trail standards.
• Supervise the Senior Program Support Officer to ensure the organization of DRC CO travels, field trips, meetings and visits to Bangladesh (visas, accommodation, transportation etc.).
• Ensure effective administrative and logistics support to international staff and visitors (HQ, Regional Office, Delegates, and Consultants).
• Overall responsible for proper fixed asset management (including fleet management).
• Ensure briefing and support to all DRC staff on finance, logistics, administrative and security related matters.
• Overall responsibility for maintaining the finance and admin filing system and maintenance of DRC CO files.

HR Management (15%)

• Direct line manager for the DRC CO Senior Finance Officer (Dhaka based) and Finance and Admin Officer (CXB based); and supervision of other assigned support staff (as required).
• Ensure the development of objectives for DRC CO support staff, monitor performance (through structured 1:1s), and undertake annual staff appraisals.
• Mentor and support DRC CO support staff, through the development of professional development plans, and fostering of a culture of learning and innovation.
• Coordinate with the IFRC, DRC CCM and Head of Programs to employ local staff as and when required.
• Coordinate with IFRC, DRC CCM and local authorities for job descriptions, contracts, salaries, insurance, official registrations, tax payments, leaves etc.
• Stay informed on and ensure DRC CO compliance with the government rules & regulations related to national and international staff (labour & tax laws, visa, stay permit etc.).
• Support the CCM to strengthen positive and collaborative working culture within the Country Cluster – including identifying opportunities for peer-to-peer support (where relevant).

Technical assistance and capacity development (10%)

• Identify capacity development needs and subsequently suggest, design and assist DRC CO and International Finance Department in building capacity of BDRCS where applicable.
• Pro-actively support BDRCS in follow up to audit recommendations and overall development of financial management system and control mechanisms.
• Ensure operating modalities are established that mitigate/manage the exposure of the DRC CO to financial risks, as well as monitoring of compliance against them.
• Support Budget Holders & train them on Time Registration & Submitting Expense Report.
• Support and train / orient new DRC support staff on understanding the main finance processes and minimum standards to be followed.

Coordination, representation and partnerships (5%)

• Coordinate and collaborate with BDRCS, Consortium partners, IFRC, DRC CO and HQ colleagues and pro-actively build excellent team working relationships.
• Attend and actively participate in the DRC CO and Country Cluster meetings.
• Attend CCMT meetings on behalf of the Support Services unit.

Other

• Support the CCM and Head of Programs in effectively working with BDRCS and other Movement partners in Bangladesh on effective finance management.
• Take on a delegated authority function in the absence of the CCM and/or Head of Programs (Bangladesh).
• Observe all appropriate IFRC/DRC HR and security policies and guidelines, particularly with regards to security/safety and health/insurance.
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by DRC CCM.

Education Requirements:
Professional/academic qualification at Master’s level or higher in finance / accounting/ business administration.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 - 7 years extensive experiences in a managerial role in finance, administration and accounting.
• Advanced experience of development and managing of financial systems and software packages.
• Advanced experience in developing and executing project and programme budgets and scrutiny of financial reporting financial planning.
• Advanced experience in delivering consolidated financial reports with expenditures in several currencies.
• Experience of working for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (RCRC), an international NGOs or other similar organization.
• Experience of managing and supporting finance and admin staff.
• Experience in capacity building of finance and non-finance staff

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced technical knowledge and experience in facilitating, supporting, supervising/ monitoring of activity plans and budgets.
• Advanced knowledge and experience of working with financial management and accounting systems, including using them to generate analysis and reports.
• Understanding of the principles of risk management in relation to projects and program finances, and experience of their practical application.
• Knowledge and experience of DG ECHO, DG INTPA, Danish MFA/Danida and other institutional and private donor requirements.
• Ability to adapt and work effectively in evolving operational environments, sometimes under pressure, and to take on expanded roles, and responsibilities when required.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate clearly, effectively, and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to generate, analyze, condense and present complex financial data to inform strategic decision making.
• Ability to work as a team, including experience of working with remote teams and/or in other countries.
• Ability to work independently and with minimum guidance.
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and deliver results through collaboration.
• Ability to work in culturally diverse working environment, with respect and support to the needs of others.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible, honest, reliable, with unimpeachable integrity.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly in MS Office, and experience with data visualisation software (e.g., Power Bi etc.). Proficiency in Excel at an advanced level is a prerequisite.

Languages:

• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Fluent spoken and written Bengali.

Salary Range: Negotiable

Other Benefits

• Festival Bonus
• Life & Medical Insurance
• Provident fund & Gratuity
• Medical reimbursement for staff and immediate family up to 70,000 BDT per annum.
• Transport & Mobile Allowance

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are requested to submit the application to this email ID bangladesh.delegation@ifrc.org  on or before 23 May 2024. Please state your expected salary in the application.

Please note that this position will close on 23 May 2024, Bangladesh Standard Time. However, IFRC reserves the right to fill the role prior to the advertisement end date. As such, candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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