Consortium Finance Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC) | August 2024

About DRC

DRC has been present in Tanzania since 2015, delivering integrated multi-sectoral assistance combining CCCM, livelihood programming, individual and community-based protection, general food distribution, as well as environmental preservation and regeneration. The country has provided asylum to refugees from neighbouring countries, such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and has naturalized over 160,000 Burundians

Overall purpose of the role:

DRC is preparing for a multi-year humanitarian project which will be implemented through a Consortium of (I)NGOs in the Kigoma region of Tanzania. DRC is looking for a Consortium Finance Manager (open to Tanzanian nationals only) who will be responsible for the overall financial management of the Consortium budget, the day-to-day routine financial duties, review of budget/budget modifications, partner development (as appropriate) and is the lead finance focal point for the Project Management Unit and acts as Technical Finance focal point for all Consortium partners Finance focal points.

Band: F

Reporting to: Head of Support Services

Technical Supervisor: Finance Manager

Provides Technical Supervision to: consortium partner finance staff

Direct reports: Finance staff

Unit/department: Support

Location: Kibondo, Kigoma region

Responsibilities:

• Working with the Consortium Partnership Coordinator, lead on assessing partner finance capacity and the development and delivery of finance capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Along with financial capacity strengthening initiatives to provide technical assistance to Consortium members as necessary to achieve and maintain high standards of compliance.
• Ensure the proper systems (process and tools) for monitoring the compliance for the Consortium and members are set up during the planning, implementation and close-out stage of the project.
• Monitor the financial aspects of Consortium and Implementing Partners in line with donor requirements and partnerships’ agreed policies and procedures with support from the Country Finance Managers.
• Ensure timely disbursement of funding to Consortium members/implementing partner according to instalment plans.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording and posting of monthly Consortium members/implementing partner expenses are done in DYN.
• Follow up with partner/Consortium members for reimbursement of any unspent funds.
• Ensure consortium partner’s compliance with relevant country statutory and other financial obligations such as taxes and statutory returns.
• Ensure all consortium required documentation for financial audits is in place.
• Ensure that financial, logistics and HR management systems and records from all the Consortium and members are complete, adequate in order to identify and protect the assets and interest of the partnerships.
• Undertake regular compliance visits to assess the compliance of financial, HR and logistics systems of Consortium and Implementing Partners and put forward recommendations for improvements where appropriate with support from Support Services Departments.
• Overseeing financial progress against agreed targets of the project, including monitoring of finance capacity strengthening initiatives targets among Consortium and Implementing Partners.
• Ensure that Consortium and members finance reports are thoroughly reviewed in coordination with the level of risk assessed and in accordance with DRC and the donor financial guidelines.
• Check the maintenance of a good filing system for all financial and accounting deliverables to ensure ease of access during internal/external audit.
• Oversight of financial and administrative management of the programme overall (including liaison at Regional level, Country level and Consortium and Implementing Partners) ensuring compliance with DRC and the donor rules and regulations.
• Organizing and leading monthly BFU/TDL reviews meeting and monitor actual spending and advise Programme and Finance teams at Country Office level and Consortium and Implementing Partners Finance team on financial issues (overspends, underspends, compliance issues, clearing of outstanding advances etc.).
• Preparing budget modifications where needed in collaboration with Programme and Finance teams and Consortium and Implementing Partners relevant focal points.
• Minimizing financial risks by ensuring that partnership (implementing and consortium) members’ financial policies and procedures are strictly adhered to through predefined effective internal control systems.
• Ensure completeness, accuracy and validity of information regarding the payment documents before payments are done, including salary and share cost allocation.
• Ensuring the implementation of recommendations raised through internal and external audits, compliance audits, financial strengthening initiatives etc.
• Support development of further consortium proposals.
• Coordination with consortium members and/or with NGO Liaison bodies to obtain relevant local tax laws/requirements and ensure all partners comply. This includes obtaining tax exemptions (i.e. Value Added Tax [VAT]) letters on a yearly basis where needed.
• Coordination with the procurement and logistics departments of Implementing/Consortium members to ensure the relevant taxes (if applicable) are indicated in all supplier documentation and paid to the relevant departments in a timely manner.
• Providing financial management support for the close-out process and external audit process.
• Supporting Finance Manager on the preparation of annual Financial Statements by liaising with the audit firm and RO/HQ to ensure all financial information is accurate, complete and in full compliance with Tanzanian rules and regulations
• Update BI reports on monthly basis and share with Project Managers, Team Leaders and Project Coordinators
• Maintain continuous overview of salary allocation/coverage and keep management informed of any salary gaps identified in advance/unfunded position.
• Work on resource scheduling for all staff, generate timesheets in dynamics and ensure staff salaries are proportionally apportioned to all projects
• Support the Finance Manager and Area Manager with development of SOPs and localized policies as needed based ondentified gaps in organizational policies or based on local requirement.
• Any other duty as assigned by your supervisor.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 6 years of practical experience in financial management.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets, multiple donors, consortium proposals.
• Competence in providing technical guidance and training.
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities.
• Working experience with relevant donors (e.g. UNHCR, EU, ECHO, WFP, FCDO or BPRM guidelines)

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’ core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.  
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.  
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.  
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values.

Education:

• Master’s degree in finance/accounting or business administration

Languages:

• Swahili (full proficiency)

• English (full profile
•  French (desirable)

Key stakeholders:

• Representatives of the consortium members
• Consortium Partnership Coordinator
• Finance Manager
• Country Director
• HOSS
• HOP
• Area Manager
• Grants Management
• Donors