Le Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recrute pour ce poste (06 Avril 2023)

Catholic Relief Services est l’agence humanitaire internationale officielle de la communauté catholique des États-Unis. CRS travaille pour sauver, protéger et transformer des vies dans le besoin dans plus de 100 pays, sans distinction de race, de religion ou de nationalité. Le travail de secours et de développement de CRS est accompli par le biais de programmes d’intervention d’urgence, de lutte contre le VIH, de santé, d’agriculture, d’éducation, de microfinance et de consolidation de la paix.

 

Job Summary:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began its programming in the Republic of Congo in 2017 at the invitation of the country’s Catholic Conference of Bishops and with a specific intent to provide emergency assistance during the last years of a long civil war. In 2018, CRS opened an office in Brazzaville to support work with the Global Fund and OFDA. In 2022, CRS is currently working with malaria prevention as the Principal Recipient of the Congo’s Global Fund Malaria grant and in emergency response and recovery with funded projects under OFDA and WFP.

Since 2018, CRS has served as Principal Recipient for the Global Fund grants for malaria and health system strengthening in Congo. CRS was granted for PR role for the new cycle of Global Fund Malaria Grant/New Financing Mechanism 2021-2023 (NFM3). The NFM3 grant will continue to support the current Congo malaria control strategic plan with the goal of reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 50% compared to 2016 rates. Additionally, CRS also has an important health system strengthening support role on the NFM3 grant, working with partners to strengthen the country’s community health system and health management information system, along with the national Covid-19 response to through the C19RM mechanism.

As Coordinator of Finance and Grants Management is responsible for overall budget monitoring and compliance oversight of the Global Fund malaria grant and all related sub-grants/sub-contracts. s/he oversees the design and implementation of strong internal controls and appropriate financial reporting procedures/policies to minimize/manage risks associated with grant implementation, safeguard Global Fund’s resources, achieve consistent compliance with Global Fund grant agreement, approved work plan/budget, Global Fund policies and guidelines, as well as CRS’ policies and procedures. S/he coordinates assessments and the identification of needs for support in compliance, budgeting and financial management and their implementation as well as actively works with the sub-recipient (SR) on their grant management capacity. In coordination with the program team and CRS RoC and HQ finance and compliance teams, s/he develops and implements the strategy to prevent or reduce compliance-related liabilities and risks. The scope of work covers all aspects of financial and grant management of the Global Fund Malaria grant implemented by CRS in Republic of Congo.

Job Responsibilities:

Grants Management and Budgeting

• In collaboration with the Chief of Party, ensure that all SR, partner and service provider agreements and amendments are well prepared, grant files are updated/maintained on Gateway, key grant documents are shared with the Republic of Congo (RoC) and HQ finance teams, and that the GFSU reviews all relevant agreements and amendments
• Ensure that donor required reports are prepared accurately and disseminated within the due dates; coordinate financial reporting with the CRS RoC and HQ finance teams. This includes ensuring that reports (e.g. PU/DRs, AFRs, etc.) are discussed collectively with the different functions (program management, PSM, M&E, finance) to ensure quality analysis of the issues and identification of appropriate solutions, ensuring that this is captured in the report and carrying out accuracy and quality checks before submission to the Global Fund.
• Review all management letters and ensure that all issues raised are resolved expeditiously in collaboration with the Global Fund Program Manager and Team (Global Fund).

• Lead the identification of budget and compliance needs and oversee the implementation of trainings on budgeting and compliance with all relevant Global Fund malaria program staff and the SR(s) under the grant.
• Monitor and track budget spending against the budget and provide recommendations to the Chief of Party on needed actions
• Develop effective budget monitoring tools and implement them for all Global Fund malaria program activities; review SR budgets against spending and provide comments / recommend approval by the Chief of Party
• Engage actively in budget discussions and generate feedback for Global Fund malaria program PMU on adverse budget variances in monthly BCR meetings and results from SR monitoring
• Lead on liaising with CRS RoC and HQ finance teams, prepare cash projections, ensure that proper accounts are used, review cash disbursement advance journals, review and approve liquidation journals, and review posted journals for errors, recommending correction when necessary
• Attend and participate in Global Fund malaria program PMU Meetings and contribute to the overall team work spirit of Global Fund malaria program
• Monitor and review that advances and liquidations are processed in Insight

• Manage grant closure activities with the Chief of Party and respective CRS RoC staff and ensure that expired sub-grants are fully closed out within 90 days’ limit

Compliance

• Ensure that all program activities are compliant with both CRS and Global Fund policies, procedures and regulations
• Serve as the principal point of contact on grant management and compliance issues with CRS RoC and HQ Finance and Compliance staff, the LFA and Global Fund program staff
• Ensure project documents and financial records are maintained and readily available for internal/external audits and reviews
• Manage the development and implementation of grant management trainings and capacity building activities in close collaboration with CRS RoC finance and compliance staff
• Develop and build the capacity of Global Fund malaria program staff in relevant and appropriate donor financial management policies, procedures, and standards
• Ensure integrity and the effective control of financial, material and human resources and assets

SR Financial Assessments, Monitoring and Support

• Lead implementation of CRS’ sub-recipient financial management policy for the Global Fund malaria program; ensure that staff understand and are correctly implementing the policy
• Ensure that the Global Fund malaria program has in place and adheres to a schedule of planned SR monitoring visits; the basis for the selection, timing and frequency of its monitoring visits should be properly documented
• Ensure that assessments and monitoring visits are being carried out in accordance with CRS policies about timeliness, comprehensiveness, professionalism and documentation
• Ensure corrective action plans are prepared within sixty calendar days of the assessment or monitoring visit, and that program staff are supporting the SR to address the identified issues within agreed timelines as needed
• Ensure financial and programming staff participate in the financial monitoring of the SR (including site visits); trip reports must indicate the monitoring steps performed, the processes reviewed, and the result of the testing and reviews
• Review and analyze assessment, monitoring, trip reports and monthly updates on a timely manner and to inform follow-up actions
• Ensure that the SR receives support from CRS to correct weaknesses detected by internal and external auditors, Global Fund malaria program staff, LFAs, and others; directly address issues that are escalated
• Ensure SR internal control systems are reviewed and monitored to verify that financial duties are adequately segregated; Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance staff should regularly monitor and assess SR ability to accurately record and post all financial transactions and provide feedback to the Program Director.
• Ensure that the project SR evaluates and effectively monitors any SSRs and/or partners to achieve efficient use of Global Fund resources.
• Ensure that the Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance staff provide direct technical support in all aspects of finance, compliance and internal controls for SRs
• Advise and ensure on GAAP and basic accounting records to be maintained at the SR level
• Proactively track spending against the budget for the SRs budget line.
• Approve all liquidations and ensure there is adequate support documentation for the implemented milestones

Human Resources

• Lead, direct, mentor and coach a Senior project grant compliance to meet GF program objectives
• Take the lead in setting annual Global Fund malaria program finance and compliance targets and ensure that specific tasks are built in staff performance plans
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork
• Lead the identification of performance gaps and needs of program, SR and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality support and technical assistance to program staff, SRs and states

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent). MBA or Master’s degree in related field with a focus on Accounting preferred. A professional certification in Accounting or a related field highly preferred.
• Minimum of five years experience in a similar position, preferably with an International NGO.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.

Required Languages – French is required to perform the job, and English

Travel –  Must be willing and able to travel up to 30 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Very good planning, monitoring and organizational skills
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations highly preferred.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of local law in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Staff management experience.
• Strong experience in presenting and facilitating on financial management topics.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software highly preferred

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities : Senior project grant

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Global Fund Malaria Program Team, HoOPs, HoP, Country Representative, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Director for Management Quality and HQ Compliance team, GFSU.

External: PNLP, SRs ( MDA, CARITAS, CJID), LFA, and external auditors.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer