Danish Red Cross
Job Description
Position Title:
Regional Finance Delegate
Head of Region:
Bjarke Skaanning
Region:
Asia
Duration:
01.12.2015 – 31.07.2017
Purpose
Duty Station:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Date Completed:
29.09.15
The Danish Red Cross (DRC) supports a number of Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies in Asia. The support focuses on long term interventions within Health,
Water/Sanitation and Organisational Development, within Disaster Management DRC is working within Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness as well as
humanitarian interventions during conflicts or natural disasters. We emphasize strengthening of partner organisations, both within organisational development and
operational capacity building. We see integrity, transparency, autonomy and sustainable volunteer structures as conditions for building sustainable operational capacity.
DRC has been present in the Asia for more than 20 years and has bilateral operations with Country Offices in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan and
Afghanistan with a total of 17 international delegates in the region. DRC has responded bilaterally to the Nepal Earthquake. The total yearly turnover in the Region is
around DKK 85.000.000.
The Regional Finance Delegate (RFD) will be an integral part of the Asia team and refers to the Asia Head of Region (HoR). The RFD will support and further build the
capacity of the DRC Regional Office, the DRC Country Offices and the National Society partners of the DRC in ensuring effective and timely financial management in
general and of DRC supported programmes in particular. The Regional Finance Team is responsible for ensuring effective and timely financial management of the DRC in
Asia. The RFD is team leader for the Regional Finance Team (3 members) in Phnom Penh. The RFD is technical advisor for the DRC Country Office Financial Teams.
Key responsibilities and time
consumption in %
Financial responsibilities
Main tasks
Regional Office/ Programme financial management
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Ensure booking, auditing and reporting of Regional Office Accounts
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Ensure high standard of financial reports from Regional Office and effective development of financial overviews
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Ensure update of grant income and expenditure budget for the programmes in the region.
Support to HoR
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At all times keeping an overview of all financial activities in the region.
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Advice on and support the preparation of appropriate and timely financial reporting as well as the auditing of the
DRC supported programmes in accordance with agreed contracts with partners
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Advise and assist Country Coordinators and Delegates with budget responsibilities on financial issues including
support and assist in developing budgets for backdonors.
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Advise HoR on all matters related to programme and RO finances and constantly maintain an overview of the
regional finance situation
Administrative responsibilities
National Society/Country Offices
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Coordinate, advise and assist Country Offices and National Societies in preparing annual programme budgets and
financial reports to the back donors e.g. EU DEVCO, ECHO, Danida, UN etc. and ensure that the donor specific
guidelines are adhered to.
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Coordinate, assist, control and monitoring of programme budgets and expenditures and ensure compliance with
donor and DRC requirements
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Ensure and assist in developing consolidated Financial Program Reports to Danish Red Cross
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Advise, assist and support development of (and adjustments to) contracts and agreements, activity plans and
financial reports and budgets
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Assist DRC HQ in development of standard accounting tools and systems, as well as budget templates
accommodating the need of details required by donors.
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Support the control of cash requests and quarterly financial statements submitted by Country Offices and
Partners through the Country Offices.
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Coordinate and advise in coordination with the Country Offices yearly financial and performance audits
for
programmes in the region, including tender process for local auditors, instruct these and ensure that guidelines
are followed
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Advice and assist National Society Partners on their financial and administrative systems and procedures
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Support finance development of NSs partner in the region
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Regular monitoring visits to programme countries, including visits to partners Financial Departments
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Ensure that Regional Office, Country Offices and Delegate’s administrative procedures and policies are in line with
Danish Red Cross’ policies and procedures
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Ensure administrative procedures in the Regional Office, including financial filing system are maintained
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Ensure that advice, assistance and support is provided to DRC Country Offices, Delegates and other staff on
administrative issues, including visas, residence permit, ticket and accommodation etc.
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Responsible for safety and maintenance of office equipment, vehicles etc. and maintain a fixed assets inventory
list for the Regional Office
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Responsible for IT management
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Support the Country Coordinators in recruitment of finance staff for Country Officies
General responsibilities
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Capacity Building responsibilities
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Ensure that the Regional Office maintain financial and administrative procedures including filing
Assist and support to Country Offices and Delegates on financial administration procedures
Contribute to efficient communication and coordination between DRC Head Quarters, the Regional Office, DRC
Country Offices and National Societies on financial matters
Data processing in AX09
Assist the DRC Country Coordinators in relation to the DRC anti-corruption policy
In close cooperation with DRC HoR and DRC HQ undertake investigations or internal audit missions for
programmes under implementation
Supporting and further building the capacity of the Regional and Country Finance Teams
Facilitate the development of relevant training materials to be used in financial training of DRC delegates in the
region.
Power of decision-making in relation to the tasks
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The RFD will lead the Regional Finance Team.
The RFD will support, advice and be team-leader for the Country Office Finance Teams.
A final division of tasks between the RFD and the Regional Finance Manager will take place in the first month of employment in discussion with the
HoR
The RFD represents the Asia region in quarterly meetings with the DRC HQ Controller
Communication in relation to the tasks
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The RFD will be team leader for the Regional Finance team (3 persons) in Phnom Penh
The RFD will in close cooperation with the Country Coordinators liaise with the respective National Society management on financial issues
The RFD reports to the DRC Head of Region
For specific technical questions the DRC Finance Department and technical advisers can be contacted directly. Technical guidelines and formats
are to be found on DRC's international platform
Financial issues regarding the programmes are discusses with the DRC Regional Finance Manager and DRC HQ Finance Controller with whom a
continuous dialogue on finance issues will take place
The RFD will take active part in sparring, experience exchange and lessons learned in and outside the Asia region
Competences requirements
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Relevant educational background as well as a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in finance management and programming
Proven mentoring and facilitation skills
Experience with EU/ECHO/DANIDA/UN specific funding, hereunder implementation and reporting procedures is an asset
Experience from the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is an asset
Project cycle and financial management experience is a prerequisite
Experience from working in fluid environments with a varying degree of security is a prerequisite
Experience from the Asia is an asset
Good analytical skills and very confident in situations of stress. Ability to work in remote demanding situations under pressure is important
Excellent communication, coordination, networking and facilitation skills and understand that process and ownership is key to achieving results in culturally and
politically sensitive environments.
Proven diplomatic and negotiation skills
English speaking and writing skills are key requirements
Full proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially excel) is a prerequisite
Full proficiency in an ERP system is a prerequisite and experience with AX09 an asset
Valid international driving licence is a prerequisite
Auditor background is an asset
Expected results
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The financial management capacity of the DRC Country Offices in Asia has been substantially enhanced
The financial management capacity of DRC Asia, including the individual delegates has been substantially enhanced
The financial management capacity of the involved National Societies relation to managing the finances of the overall DRC programme portfolio has been
enhanced
Increased quality of funding applications
Revision of the job description
The description of responsibilities and tasks in this job description is indicative. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to be an active and supportive member of
the regional team and the Red Cross as such. This means that the incumbent may be asked to take on additional responsibilities and tasks that are not described
herein. If the changes in responsibilities and tasks constitute more than 25% of the working hours over a period of time, the incumbent or the manager can
suggest a revision of the job description.