Job offer: Deputy Finance Manager at CRS Lesotho

Job Title: Deputy Finance Manager	Reports to:  Finance Manager
Department:  Operations	Salary Grade: 9

About CRS

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 are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary: 

You will oversee all activities that ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and documentation of the Finance Department’s accounting operations and financial reporting (monthly, quarterly, yearly, and as needed) in support of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will help set the standard for the Country Program’s (CP’s) financial stewardship through professional maintenance, utilization, and analysis of all cash resources controlled by the CP.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee accounting processes, policies, and service delivery and maintain accounting controls to ensure accurate, complete, and timely recording and management of financial transactions and internal controls in compliance with CRS’ financial management policies and procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements.
• Ensure financial accounting package is updated with relevant information for capturing accurate financial data (such as daily exchange/conversion rates, cost allocation tools, posting of transactions, etc.).
• Review and analyze financial reports, including cost allocation of shared costs, to verify financial transactions. Prepare balance sheet account reconciliations to ensure all transactions are accurately stated and appropriately classified. Work with relevant staff to address irregularities and resolve accounting issues and ensure correction of accounting entries and payroll.
• Serve as the key point person on all issues related to financial transaction records. Provide proactive advice, support, and capacity building to managers, staff, and subrecipients to ensure compliance with standards and proper records of financial transactions, as well as to support strengthening of internal control.
• Ensure financial reports are generated accurately and disseminated timely as per established reporting schedules and assist staff and subrecipients with financial reports analysis.
• Oversee maintenance of a good filing system of required supporting documentation to ensure easy access and retrieval, and a reliable and easy to follow audit trail.
• Ensure efficient management of cash flows and availability of sufficient and optimal cash in the CP’s operating account through monitoring cash balances (both cash-in-bank and cash-on-hand), preparing bank reconciliations, analyzing and forecasting cash needs.
• Ensure the deliverables for month and year end processes are met on time (review of salary clearing account, asset clearing account, cash clearing account, reclassification of gain/loss in the three pool projects etc.).
• Ensure the monthly bank reconciliations are prepared on time in line with the agency policy on cash management.
• Coordinate the reconciliation of GL/PPM variance monthly.
• Quarterly reconciliation of Lease entries in the Lease Query and GL.
• Support the Finance Manager in accurate and timely closure of grants.
• Support the Finance team to engage with internal and external audit teams and ensure all findings related to financial management are closed withing the prescribed deadlines.
• Be the point person in all staff and agency Tax and Statutory Deduction matters. Understand and keep abreast of changes in the local legal environment and ensure that CRS adheres to local laws that pertain to taxation and other areas of financial management.
• Support the Finance Manager in conducting the annual internal control assessment and develop plans to address weakness within a reasonable time using the Internal Control Questionnaire.
• Support the BD team with budget preparation for proposal development.
• Support with the recruitment and training of team members 
• Accomplish other tasks as requested by the Finance Manager or the CRS/Lesotho management.

Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of four years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an International NGO.

Required Languages – List languages required to perform the job

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 15 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Accuracy and completeness with a strong eye for detail
• 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

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

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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.  

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

The position will supervise the Senior Finance Officer and Grants/Project Accountants

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal

External 

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

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

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Submission: Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens of Lesotho.  Interested Basotho candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, Certified copies of Education certificates in one pdf document not exceeding 20MB,not later than 1st November 2024 at 05:00pm by email to [email protected]  with the subject line:  DEPUTY FINANCE MANAGER.  If the subject line does not indicate the position, the applicant will not be considered. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS NOT ACCEPTED.  ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.