We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.
The International Assistance department has opened a vacancy for a Regional Finance Delegate.
Position title: Regional Finance Delegate
Duty station: Curacao or Aruba
Time period: 5 months (until 31 July 2021 , with possible extension)
Starting Date: as soon as possible – end of February 2021
FTE factor: 1 FTE
Status: Single posting
Purpose of the position
The main purpose of the position is to monitor, check, support and strengthen financial processes, systems and capacities for NLRC implemented projects in Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten for the Caribbean COVID-19 Response Programme.
Background
The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has branches on 6 Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius). These branches are part of the NLRC and focus on direct emergency aid after disasters and the provision of assistance to vulnerable groups on the islands. Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten are independent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In March 2020, these three countries experienced their first COVID-19 cases. The population of these countries is very dependent on tourism for their livelihoods, which has been heavily impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many people were already vulnerable and have now become even more vulnerable due to a loss of their source of income.
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people on the islands. To support the most vulnerable people in Aruba, Curacao and Sint-Maarten with their acute food & hygiene needs, NLRC started rolling out a relief operation in May 2020 funded by the Dutch Ministry of Interior Affairs to provide assistance to vulnerable households impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19, hereafter “RC COVID-19 Response Programme”. The main components of this relief operation are Cash (through e-voucher modality), food & hygiene parcels and ready-to-eat meals.
Currently the NLRC is implementing a country-by-country transition strategy to local stakeholders. The RC COVID-19 Response Programme is a portfolio of three projects implemented by the NLRC’s branches in Aruba and Curacao and the NLRC Mission in Sint Maarten in partnership with local non-Red Cross organizations. Each project has its own timeframe and has been designed to include local contextual differences. Each project consists of 3 phases: phase 1: May 2020 - Feb 2021, phase 2: Sep 2020 – Feb 2021, phase 3: Jan 2021 – Jul 2021. In Aruba and Curacao the programme is implemented by the Aruba and the Curacao Red Cross branches and is administered through Exact Online. In Sint Maarten the programme is implemented by a consortium of local partners, led by a coordination platform consisting of the NLRC mission and the Sint Maarten Development Fund (SMDF). The Netherlands Red Cross Mission is also one of the implementing partners, for which the funds are administered through Winpacs. There is already an NLRC finance delegate on Sint Maarten, who covers this part of the programme.
Position in the organization
The Regional Finance Delegate reports to the Regional Caribbean COVID-19 Coordinator based in Curacao/Aruba. The Regional Finance Delegate works together in day-to-day operations with the branch managers and finance staff in Aruba and Curacao. Although the tasks of the Regional Finance Delegate will mainly focus on the programme in Aruba and Curacao, there will be some overarching tasks for which the Regional Finance Delegate will also include Sint Maarten – in this case the delegate will also liaise with the Finance Delegate and Head of Mission in Sint Maarten. Moreover, there is close collaboration and communication with the Finance Department (Financial Controller and Project Administrator) and the Caribbean COVID-19 Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator based in the Netherlands.
Summary statement and responsibilities
For Aruba and Curacao:
- Support the development of local project budgets
- Monitor the budget of the RC COVID-19 Response Programme and all projects, and ensure accurate accounting, authorisation and internal control procedures. Investigate and address significant variances.
- Conduct financial reviews in the field: analyze the financial management and risks, internal controls, reported expenditure versus approved budgets, balances per project.
- Monitor and ensure that the financial management at field level is carried out in accordance with the agreed contractual conditions, MoUs, applicable local laws and other regulatory requirements.
- Advise on the execution of the project administration at field level and ensure that correct financial reports are produced to steer and manage the project funding.
- Review and analyse the reported project expenditures including balance report and procurement table, provide feedback to country and NLRC HQ teams.
- Verify the project administration assuring this is audit proof, including reconciliation with the financial administration of the NLRC and that payments can be made according to plans.
- Provide practical support to the branches with ensuring financial forecasts, cash requests, detailed budgets and other financial administrative requirements are in place and of sufficient quality.
- Provide monthly financial reports with findings, recommendations and action plans to the project managers in Aruba and Curacao and to follow up by the Regional Caribbean COVID-19 Coordinator. Ensure that the financial reports are complete, and an audit proof project administration is in place.
- Build capacity of local admin and finance staff of the branches in the NLRC procedures for: internal control, financial planning, budgeting, budget revisions. Exact on Line (encoding of vouchers and variance analysis); forecasting, cash request and reporting requirements.
- Coordination and management of funds and financial assets of the RC COVID-19 Response Programme . This will include cash flow and cost control management in Exact on Line ) as well the management of payments, cashier and payroll functions.
- Coordinate and advise upon the purchase and custom clearance of goods within the requirements of the donor in close cooperation with logistics in The Hague.
In General:
- Prepare the monthly overarching financial report for the whole programme.
- Follow up on the recommendations to further strengthen the financial processes on the three countries (CUR, ARU and SXM).
- Prepare for external audits in close collaboration with the branches and mission and NLRC HQ.
- Support financial capacity building for the other RC overseas branches in the region (Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire and the branch on Sint-Maarten) on request.
- Any additional assignment upon request.
Requirements/Qualifications
Key qualifications
- Master in Economics/Finance/Finance administration, or other relevant degree.
- At least ten years of experience in financial management, accounting and control.
- At least five year experience in working for a humanitarian aid organisation outside of Europe.
- Knowledge of Exact on Line, Winpaccs Accounting and Winpaccs project Controlling.
- Extensive experience in preparing budgets, cash flow statements and financial plans.
- Relevant experience in designing, implementing and controlling administrative and finance processes.
- Experience in developing financial reports, explanatory notes on deviations, and provide support to ensure consistency with narrative reporting.
- Strong communication, capacity strengthening and training / coaching skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience and proven.
- Experience in problem identification and solution analysis.
- Excellent practical computer skills (including excellent command of Excel spreadsheets and accounting software (EoL and Winpaccs), as well as strong competence in Windows, Word processing, internet and email).
- Fluency in English required. Dutch is an advantage. **
- Preferably experience in working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
- Preferably experience in the Caribbean.
- Flexibility to travel within the Dutch Caribbean region.
Key competencies
- Able to work with regional teams divided over different islands with different cultures.
- Ability to provide practical support and build the capacity of local branch staff.
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions and work effectively in a multicultural environment.
- Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative.
- Ability to manage broad responsibilities with attention to detail.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Stress resistant.
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Cultural awareness. Hands on mentality.
- Sense of humour.
**
We offer
o A full-time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 5 months, with the possibility of extension.
o A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
o Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
Applications
- Please send your resume and letter of motivation in English with reference to Rob Vugs latest on the 21st of February 2021 using our online application system via https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacature/Solliciteren/177902/job
- For further information regarding the position please, contact Cecile de Milliano at CdeMilliano@redcross.nl
An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.
For more information of the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis