Regional Finance Coordinator at Kenya Red Cross Society

Purpose

The purpose of the Regional Finance Coordinator is to support the management of a strong internal control environment, including segregation of duties, and the application of finance policies, processes, and procedures throughout the region.

The purpose of the regional offices (RO) is to ensure implementation of the international strategy in the region, by establishing and following up regional and country strategic direction through regional and country frameworks. This means that RO is responsible for strategy implementation, ensuring accountability and providing leadership in the region and for supporting country offices (CO) based on strategic direction and overall frameworks from national office.

The RO ensures strategic relationship management with all Norwegian Red Cross NS partners in the region, the Federation and the ICRC, with a focus on regional emergency preparedness and response. The RO furthermore ensures strategic relationship management with donors and external partners and supports CO with grant management. The RO supports and oversees finance management and results management (PMER) in the region in line with established standards and best practices.

The RO is responsible for optimal use of human resources by ensuring efficient and purposeful communication and collaboration, including with National office. The RO promotes competency development and ensures efficient leadership and a conducive working environment in the region.

Strategic responsibilities

• Coordinates the accounting functions of the Regional Office (RO) in line with Norwegian Red Cross rules and procedures.
• Supports RO and Country Offices (COs) in all aspects of required quality financial management enabling accountable humanitarian programs.
• Contributes to Norwegian RC contributions to partner NS efforts to improve financial risk management as requested by RHoS.
• Deputizes for RHoS in his/her absence

Operational Responsibi1ities

Budgeting

• Coordinate, and review preparation of the RO, CO and partner (HNS) programme and project budgets consistent with plans and budget policies.
• Lead over budget revisions in the Africa region, including mid-term budget analysis for RO and COs.
• Lead the NFO budget in coordination with relevant CPMs
• Prepare monthly NFO splits for the RO and Cos.
• Review and update CO and RO FP&A budgets.
• Lead in organising GRMs in collaboration with stakeholders.

Accounting 

• Provide QA over transactions accuracy, completeness and cut off; regional and country offices on a monthly basis including reconciliations of advances and liquidations to HNS. This further includes supervision of reconciliations of receivable, payables, accruals and banks
• Lead over working advances to NS and it’s liquidation (though PIMS);
• Lead on staff advances and their liquidation
• Ensure monthly closure of accounts within required deadlines and guidelines.
• Quality assures all cash requests and cash forecasts in the CO and RO respectively and ensure that they comply with the FAM before processing.
• Participating in procurement committee meetings including procurement processes;
• Leading over cash management including setting up cash processes at RO & CO

Reporting

• Provide Monthly QA on C4.2 and C 4.3 reports and reconciliations for Cos and RO.
• Lead in providing feedback on the tertial reports
• Provide QA on monthly reconciliations for bank, Cash and accruals of the Cos and RO.
• Review cash transfer, IRCA and working advance reconciliations of RO and all COs in the Africa region.
• Lead monthly BVA meetings with CPMs. This includes budget variance analysis (BVAs) with red flags. Monthly BVAs and Procurement plan tracking.
• Lead over internal and external donor reporting
• Provide QA on cash counts.

Compliance and audit

• Coordinate all work that will facilitate and enhance successful audit of CO and RO for interim and annual audit in line with the audit engagement instructions from the external auditor for the region.
• Coordinate work related to preparation / launch / implementation of any additional audits (e.g. forensic audits) and/or controller visits.
• Support the Regional HoS in the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations (based on Annual Management Letter).
• Follow up with COs regularly to ensure follow-up and implementation of internal and external audit recommendations (based on Annual Management Letter)

Monitoring

• Perform delegated responsibilities on all financial matters to ensure that internal control is in line and effective as required.
• Assist Regional HoS in conducting on site financial spot checks of National Societies to identify the gaps and provision of recommendations.
• Support system improvement initiatives and ensure smooth roll out in the Regional and country offices

Team Leadership 

• Setting clear objectives and timelines for delivery of work. Supporting the team in attainment of both team and individual objectives. 
• Training, mentoring, and coaching the finance team. 
• Conducting performance reviews. 
• Delegating tasks and distributing team tasks to ensure good balance of workload. 
• Responsible for quality delivery of work by the team.