Manager, Finance

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian ‎organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, ‎facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating ‎human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the ‎world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, ‎health emergencies and other crises. ‎

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National ‎Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following ‎fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. ‎

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized ‎into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, ‎Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.‎

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also ‎has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and ‎the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.‎

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red ‎Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse ‎of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres ‎to strict child safeguarding principles. ‎‎

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities ‎have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian ‎infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 7 million people have fled to other countries. ‎IFRC and DRC have launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on ‎European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC, DRC and numerous Partner ‎National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted ‎countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and ‎Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.‎

Job Purpose

The Finance Manager (FM) is a key member of the Danish Red Cross (DRC) Support Unit in Ukraine. The role ensures strong financial management of our programmes and develops the financial capacity of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and DRC national finance staff.

In this position, FM will act as the team lead for a small country finance team, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, and technical oversight to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial management. FM will foster a supportive and high-performing team environment while strengthening the skills and capabilities of country office finance colleagues.

FM will lead compliant project financial management, strengthen internal controls, and support donor reporting across a diverse and growing portfolio. A significant part of the role focuses on capacity building, partnership development, and supporting URCS to implement DRC-funded projects effectively and transparently.

This is a critical role for ensuring DRC delivers high-quality, accountable humanitarian assistance in a complex and rapidly changing environment.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Country Office and project financial management – 50%

• Serve as technical lead for the country finance function, providing day-to-day task coordination, guidance, and technical supervision to national finance staff.
• Lead development and oversight of the Country Office Master Budget, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic priorities.
• Coordinate cash-flow management and timely fund requests to ensure adequate liquidity for programmes.
• Ensure timely and accurate book-keeping, payment processing, and monthly reconciliations (bank, cash, intercompany, debtors/creditors).
• Lead the month-end closing process and prepare financial summaries and analysis for management decision-making.
• Review and validate URCS financial reports, ensuring correct coding, donor compliance, and transparency of transactions.
• Coordinate the preparation, revision, and analysis of project budgets, providing technical guidance to URCS and DRC teams.
• Monitor project expenditure, identify variances, and support budget revision processes as needed.
• Oversee the use and integrity of financial systems and tools, ensuring data quality and resolving issues in coordination with HQ system teams.
• Collaborate closely with logistics, HR, admin, and programme teams to ensure compliant financial implications of procurement, contracting, and payroll processes.
• Coordinate timely and compliant project closure, including final financial reporting, audits, and secure documentation filing.
  
  
  

Financial oversight, internal control, audit and risk management – 30%

• Maintain a comprehensive overview of all DRC project finances and ensure strong internal controls across the portfolio.
• Ensure teams understand and comply with donor financial regulations (e.g., MoFA, ECHO/EU) and internal DRC financial procedures.
• Provide technical advice to project managers on financial planning, utilisation tracking, forecasting, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the country-level financial risk management process, identifying financial risks and proposing mitigation actions.
• Review and strengthen SOPs, workflows, and internal finance procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Coordinate external audits: initiate auditor selection, support URCS preparation, review draft audit reports, and monitor implementation of audit recommendations.
• Work closely with URCS finance management to enhance audit readiness and address audit findings.
• Provide financial analysis and risk insights to senior management and relevant coordination meetings.
  
  
  

Capacity building – 20%

• Assess and deliver targeted technical capacity strengthening to DRC Country Office finance staff and URCS finance teams.
• Provide ongoing technical coaching and on-the-job support to strengthen competencies within the finance function.
• Design and deliver training sessions on financial management, internal controls, donor compliance, and financial reporting.
• Support onboarding of new finance staff by providing orientation and practical guidance on financial systems, policies, and procedures.
• Encourage peer-learning and knowledge-sharing between URCS and DRC finance teams to support sustainability of financial practices.
• Promote a strong culture of accountability, transparency, and adherence to anti-corruption
  
  
  

Job Duties And Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff

‎1.‎ Actively work towards the achievement of the DRC’s goals

‎2.‎ Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

‎3.‎ Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

Required

• Advanced university degree (master’s) or equivalent qualification in accounting / finance / ‎business administration / auditing
  
  
  

Preferred

• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA, CIMA or equivalent)‎
  
  
  

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in finance management and providing project ‎financial support.‎
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working for a humanitarian aid organization.‎ Demonstrated experience managing, supervising, and developing finance staff, including training, mentoring and coaching
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, expenditure monitoring ‎and variance analysis
• Experience working closely with national partners and supporting capacity strengthening
• Experience producing high-quality analytical financial reports with clear findings and ‎actionable recommendations
• Practical experience ensuring compliance with donor financial regulations and internal ‎financial procedures
• Experience working with financial management systems / ERP platforms (e.g. Microsoft ‎Dynamics)‎
  
  
  

Preferred

• Experience working with EU/ECHO, MoFA, UN or Red Cross-funded projects
• Experience supporting or leading external audits and audit follow-up processes
• Practical experience ensuring compliance with donor financial regulations and internal ‎financial procedures
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• ‎ Excellent analytical skills, particularly concerning complex financial documents.‎ ‎ Advanced Excel skills (financial modelling, pivot tables, data analysis)‎
• Sound understanding of internal control systems, financial risk management, and audit ‎requirements
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the use of Microsoft Dynamics.‎
• Solid understanding of humanitarian programming and the project management cycle
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial ‎matters to non-finance staff
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to humanitarian principles and ‎values
• Willingness to be an active team player
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and adapt to ‎changing operational contexts
• Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]‎
  
  
  

Preferred

• Experience contributing to organisational financial policy or SOP development
• Valid driving license (Light vehicles)‎
  
  
  

Languages

Required

• Fluently spoken and written English and Ukrainian
  
  
  

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust