Finance and Administration Manager

The Organisation

RET International is committed to working in emergencies, in protracted crises, and in fragile contexts to alleviate the deepest sufferings, build people’s resilience and enhance their self-reliance.

We are amongst the leading NGOs to provide tailor-made solutions and relevant programs to bridge the gaps and respond to the real needs and challenges of the communities.

We assume a decisive catalytic role in sustainable development. We aim to provoke significant positive change, enabling particularly vulnerable youth and young women to take control of their lives and fulfil their social and economic rights.

We stand with people, with refugees, returnees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s), alongside the host communities adopting the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

The Role

Reporting Line

As a key member of the Management Team, the Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) will report to the Group Chief Finance Officer (GCFO). **

General Responsibilities

The FAM will assist the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) Administrative Centre Finance Managers (ACFM) in budgeting, fund management, and treasury management of the finances for all projects in EMEAA region and in reporting of all Swiss Government, Other Governments funds, foundations funds, private donor funds and any other funds originating from the EMEAA region.

Specific Responsibilities:

Budgeting and Cash Management

· Budget development: Develop, in collaboration with the ACFM, Area Directors (AD) and Country Directors, the programmes’ proposed budgets and coordinate their preparation in accordance with RET’s and the donors’ requirements

· Budget management: Review programmes’ general budgets burn rates using relevant reports to identify unexpected/expected burn rate discrepancies and ensure that these are discussed and agreed rapidly

· Treasury management: Ensure that there are enough funds available in the RET Geneva’s treasury to execute the Headquarters operations as well as programme activities

· External coordination: Coordinate and manage the overall relationship and transactions with the local financial institutions – banks, donors, etc

Accounting, IT and Reporting

· Obtain reports from ACFM on funds expenditures and review the main expense lines incurred in execution of RET’s projects to ensure these are allocated to the relevant programme correctly and in line with the RET ’s Field Finance Manual. Also, ensure that specific donor requirements are adhered to during the execution of the budget

· Ensure there is written justification/policy in case of incompatibility between RET International’s Manual and any donors’ laws or regulations. This should be supported with external documentation: copy of regulations, reputed third parties’ reports, etc.

· Obtain and perform final review to field financial reports, list of expenses, bank accounts reconciliations, petty cash reconciliations, etc. in accordance with RET International’s requirements and applicable tools

· Coordinate, and ensure adequate preparation for internal or external, donor, institutional or project-specific audits

· Coordinate with the relevant fiduciary firms to manage the RET International payroll

· Manage the organisation Finance IT system and be the focal point for field finance IT system

· Manage overall relationship with RET International auditors and other relevant authorities at HQ level

· Manage the entire cycle of the fund management process and ensure compliance with the various requirements including internal controls

· Prepare various management report, including financial forecasts and comprehensive HQ budgets as required by the management

· Prepare comprehensive financial statements and present the same for review to the GCFO on a quarterly and yearly basis

Others

· Attend any meeting or representation related to his/her areas of responsibility, and any meeting/event as required by the GCFO

· Coordinate with the ACFMs, and ADs on financial, administrative or management procedures

· Advise RET’s GCFO, ACFMs and ADs on any regulations that may have an impact on RET’s programmes and/or policies

· Take necessary steps to ensure that all financial data is adequately and safely backed up

· Perform any other work-related duties as required.

Qualifications Requirements

Qualifications Requirements

· Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field with minimum of 6 years of experience. Professional qualification in Accountancy (CPA, ACCA, etc) highly preferred

· Expertise with procedures required for adequate planning, monitoring, and re-aligning of complex budgets

· Prior experience in managing grants under contract required, including experience in the management of government and private/institutional donor-funded projects

· Familiarity with Swiss Accounting Standards; Extensive knowledge of computerized accounting systems, accounting software and Microsoft Office

· Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with the relevant Swiss officials, NGOs, private sector groups, cooperating agencies, and donor organizations

Personal Requirements

· People and Management Skills: Ability to work independently and in a team, demonstrate management skills and leadership; effectiveness and rigor in the management of processes, focusing on objectives;

· Organisational skills including the ability to strategically prioritise and meet established goals;

· Ability to work flexibly under difficult circumstances as well as good teamwork ability;

· Team player attitude, with ability to also work independently;

· Proactive attitude and professionalism; attention to detail;

· Languages: Fluent English and French a must. Advanced knowledge of Spanish an added advantage. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with relevant institutions and organizations, internal and external stakeholders as a representative of RET. These skills include effective negotiation and representation;

· Authorized to live and work in Switzerland;

· Integrity and personal quality (mandatory references);

· Ability to travel within the EMEAA regions when called upon.

RET is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and creed. Employment is based on personal capabilities, skills and experience required to satisfactorily perform in respective positions.

RET is committed to engaging qualified, competent and devoted Employees, enabling them to derive satisfaction from their jobs thus offering them attractive working conditions, challenging assignments and wherever possible, opportunities for advancement.