Country Finance Manager (CFM), Iraq

Main Responsibilities: General:

•   Provide leadership to the Search-Iraq Finance team.
•   Focus on overall financial management, accounting, budgeting and compliance while implementing a large multi-donor program;
• Perform contributions as a member of the Management Team and will take the lead in assuring the quality management of multi-donor funded grants/contracts from inception to closure;
• Capacity building with a focus on ensuring both programming and operations staff improve understanding of different finance mechanisms and compliance and adhere to donor regulations related to reporting, invoicing, and asset management and purchasing.
• Represents Search, as assigned, to selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.

Financial Management and Analysis:

• Ensure that the financial transactions are recorded on a timely basis, and that these are accurate, complete and reliable.
• Ensure monthly accounting closing is done on time and following Search’s financial procedures.
• Supervising all balance sheet account reconciliations are done on a timely basis.
• Monitor Cash flows where funds are channeled from the Country Office.
• Ensure Securing supporting documentation and monthly procedures are being followed by the Finance Staff across the Iraq office.
• Ensure due diligence is conducted for all new and existing sub awardees and that financial management capacity building plans are incorporated in partner budgets and capacity building is ensured. 
• Ensure that partners keep supporting documents for all financial transactions and ledgers for Fixed Assets, Purchase Requisitions, Cash Receipts and Disbursement.
• Prepare payment requests to HQ and donor advance requests (as required) and track payment of these requests;
• Review budgets with actual reports to ensure adherence to restrictions on line-item flexibility and stated restrictions on accepted costs. 
• Ensure BVA meetings are regularly conducted and support follow up actions to resolve any identified problems, including under and overspending.
• Lead Annual Budgeting and Revenue Projection Process for Country Program.
• Develop and revise financial management policy as appropriate.
• Supports country program staff with budget forecasting.
• Oversee the submission of Monthly Field Financial Reports to Search-HQ.
• Calculate NSSF Payroll Register and prepare NSSF/Taxation payments, in coordination with the outsourced Tax and Audit Services Consultant. 

Grants Management and Compliance:

• Ensure that all donor financial reports are prepared according to the donor requirements and templates and submitted on time.
• Oversee and monitor closely the program grants implementation to secure a compliant implementation during all grant's steps.
• Consolidate and update a monthly and quarterly operational budget matrix, prepare financial analysis and provide the Country Director with a clear vision of the financial situation.
• Develop budgets for new proposals in line with donor regulations and revise current budgets to ensure alignment with actual costs and operational needs.
• Ensure costs are allocated according to Search’s cost shared methodology and contribute to adapt the Head Office requirements to Country office finances.
• Elaborate, review and update Finance Standard Operating Procedures for the country program.
• Ensure proper financial procedures and systems are operated and maintained as per donor and Search internal requirements.
• Facilitate any external and internal audits and ensure timely closure of finance audit recommendations, participate in preparation, implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans.
• Support timely agreement/contract development, review, both with donors and partners, ensuring adherence to both Search and donor requirements.    
• Support Project Managers in grants start up and grants close out plans to ensure financial and budgetary requirements are in line with Search and donor requirements. 
• Ensure adherence to segregation of duties and record keeping as per donor and Search internal requirements;
• Work with Programme Director, Project Managers and Operations and other relevant staff to ensure adequate finance management support and smooth working environment.
• Work with the Regional Controller and Roving Finance Specialist to ensure that there is proper segregation of duties in all financial functions.

Team Management and Capacity Building:

• Ensure Search Iraq has a smoothly functioning and efficient Finance Department
• Manage/direct the Finance staff for teamwork, accuracy, timeliness, detail, and systems thinking
• Build capacity of Search and partner staff in financial management through training and coaching.
• Actively participate in program meetings as appropriate to effectively plan and collectively
• Coordinate financial and programmatic activities in conjunction with partner capacity-building initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum nine years of experience in Finance, preferably with international non-profits organizations
• Professional qualification in accounting (ACCA, CPA or equivalent)
• Knowledge of local Iraqi laws and regulations
• Experience preparing for internal audits and implementing audit recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and strengthen accountable working relations of finance team with other teams within organization i.e. programs, HR, operations, MEAL, etc.
• Proven ability to be an effective supervisor of staff of varying levels of responsibility and good delegation skills.
• Proven ability in financial planning and developing budgets for new business.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills. Kurdish and/or Arabic are a added value.
• Mastery of Excel and online accounting software. Experience of using Sage INTACCT is preferred. 
• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills and ability to work independently and under pressure
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and willing to take on tasks on short notices and able to meet deadlines.
• Experience of working in a fragile and risky context is an added value.
• Experience in MENA context.

Competencies and Skills:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence
• Must be capable of working both individually and collaboratively with team members to drive forward progress
• Ability to work under pressure and with short deadlines with acute attention to detail;
• Ability to take initiative to deal with challenges
• Maintain professionalism, ethics, empathy, creativity, and enthusiasm while working in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment.

SFCG Manager’s Competencies

• Manages to meet overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.

Reporting Line:

• Reports to Country Director

Supervisory responsibility:

• supervises one finance officer

• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.