Vacancy - Finance Manager

*Please note that as English is the main working language, job descriptions are available in English only*
 

Contract Type: Permanent and full-time position 

Place of work: Geneva -other locations in Switzerland can be discussed- 

Starting date: As soon as possible 

UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting the rights of refugees and building a better future for the millions of people forced to flee their homes. 

Since 1950, UNHCR has responded to multiple crises on different continents and has provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. Its work was aimed at ensuring their rights, protection and assistance, preserving their dignity and well-being. 

The Swiss Foundation for UNHCR, Switzerland for UNHCR (CH4U), is the UN Refugee Agency’s national partner for Switzerland. We support UNHCR's mission by mobilizing essential resources and raising awareness on behalf of those who are forced to flee.    

To allow UNHCR to protect forcibly displaced populations, the Foundation needs the support of the Swiss people. Every Franc donated is spent in a responsible and transparent manner, and donations are tax exempt.   

Switzerland for UNHCR also carries out awareness and advocacy initiatives to draw the general public’s attention to the plight of displaced people in the world, and to what UNHCR does to protect them.   

The Foundation is currently looking for a Finance Manager to join its operations’ team and to lead the seamless implementation of all its finance activities. 

Within a growing team, this position reports and is under the responsibility of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COO / CFO).  

The selected candidate will be in charge of the implementation of all Finance related activities for CH4U. He/she ensures that budget, accounting, reporting and planning are run in a compliant and seamless manner.  His/her role is crucial in ensuring all financial information and flow is accurate and operationally compliant. 

The role requires collaboration with multiple teams and departments within the Foundation and national and international offices of UNHCR. 

Budget Management 

• Assists the COO / CFO in the preparation and run of the yearly budget exercise 

• Supports the heads of units in the management of their budget, both in its preparation as well as its follow up (budget availability, financial KPIs follow up)  

• Manages the transfer of donations to UNHCR HQ following analytical rules, earmarking requirements 

• Manages the use of CH4U’s retainer 

• Ensures accurate follow up of operations and executive director’s budget 

• Plans, directs, and controls accounting and financial operations 

• Follows up cash flow movements ensuring seamless use of CH4U’s treasury 

• Manages financial agreements with UNHCR HQ 

Accounting and transactions 

• In collaboration with the Operations Officer, processes all invoices in a timely and accurate manner 

• Ensures the smooth running of the monthly and annual accounting closing in liaison with external service providers  

• Carries out monthly reconciliation and reporting and ensures that financial reports are made available on the prescribed dates 

• Manages the Foundation bank accounts’ portfolio ensuring they are used according to their identified purposes 

• Prepares reports and documents covering accounting transactions for management review 

• Ensures that accurate records are kept by standard practices 

• Ensures compliance with all relevant financial regulations and laws 

• Supervises the preparation of quarterly and annual account reconciliations 

• Monitors and enforces compliance with tax and financial reporting standards and assists with cash flow forecasting 

• Reconciles daily, monthly and yearly transactions 

• Reviews and follows up balance sheets  

• Ensures that colleagues have the proper knowledge and tools to respect financial requirements 

Reporting and financial analysis 

• Manages the reconciliation with the fundraising CRM (Salesforce) ensuring all donations are well reconciled and properly registered 

• Manages the quarterly reporting to UNHCR using appropriate tools and methodologies 

• Develops implements and maintains the methodology to manage donations received by the Foundation  

• Develops and maintains new tools to optimize reporting and financial analysis 

• Ensures the follow up for audits, internal controls and monitors financial risks 

• Acts as the focal points with external stakeholders, such as banks, managing access rights, transaction fees and ensuring systems are fit for purpose 

Additional /specific/projects responsibilities 

• Supports the COO / CFO with projects and tasks when required   

The ideal candidate is a passionate, results-oriented individual with strong finance management skills and a genuine interest for the humanitarian sector.  

Key competencies 

• 7 - 8 years’ relevant experience including several at similar level 

• Experience and understanding of the humanitarian, development and sustainability sectors 

• Advanced post graduate degree / federal diploma or graduate degree with equivalent in experience to reach master level 

• Very strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines 

• Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem-solving competencies 

• Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills   

• Very well organized and structured with high attention to details, accuracy and results oriented 

• Ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance 

• Very strong ability to manage large size projects with delegated budget management 

• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills in a fast-paced multi-cultural and multilingual environment  

• Very good capacity to work autonomously as well as a team player 

• Very strong ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders with very strong negotiation and advocacy skills 

• Comfortable at participating in the exploration of new areas of activities, challenging ideas and projects 

• Very good knowledge and experience of Cresus and / or other accounting ERP 

• Knowledge, interest and a strong commitment for the work and mission of UNHCR and the refugee cause  

• Excellent command of English, as well as a Swiss national language (DE/FR/IT) 

• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications with master level in Excel