CRS Moldova is hiring Deputy Finance Manager

Job Title: Deputy Finance Manager

Department: Operations

Salary Grade: 9

Reports To: Finance Manager

Country/Location: Chisinau, Moldova

 Interested candidates are welcome to apply by sending their CV with email to crsapplicationsmd@crs.org mentioning in the subject line the title of the position “Deputy Finance Manager”.

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

 Job Summary:

As the Russian invasion expanded in Ukraine, an enormous humanitarian crisis has developed across the country and region. The United Nations (UN) estimated that more than four million Ukrainians was forced to flee the country due to no cessation of the invasion, while millions of others was displaced internally within Ukraine. Neighboring countries were quickly eased entry restrictions and prepared to host large numbers of refugees, as cars were lined up for miles on the Ukrainian sides of borders.

You will support the Finance department’s management of accounting systems, policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high - quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. As part of the finance team, you will help coordinate daily financial activities through preparation and delivery of financial services.

CRS is hiring for this position for 1 year, with the opportunity to extend.

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 Insight ERP (Oracle Based) 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.
• Support on development of project budgets with input from project team, operation team, and finance team.
• Ensure that all spending is on track and in accordance with donor approved budget. Highlight to project managers any needed changes to budget.
• Review monthly Budget Comparison Reports including liquidations for each project and ensure all transactions are coded properly and ensure commitment are recorded correctly.
• Lead monthly Budget Comparison Report review with Finance and Project team.
• Lead submission of cash forecast with project coordinators.
• Lead on Sub-Award budgeting, monitoring.
  • Review all partner liquidation and communicate with partner any questions.
  • Ensure personnel lists are accurate and expenditures are monitored monthly.
  • Ensure partner advance requests are accurate and endorse for team coordinators.
• Create and maintain tracking system of expenditures and commitments in real time.
• Ensure all payments are processed correctly and on time.
• Ensure monthly staff payroll are processed on time and payroll & benefits are recorded in Financial Software.
• Ensure all lease entries (including monthly adjustments) are recorded timely and lease reconciliations are performed quarterly.
• Ensure all pre-payments and relevant liquidation entries well before month end closure.
• Support audit facilitation (Project Audits, UG Audit, Internal Audits) and donor verifications.
• Lead month end closures as per Finance Checklist and support year-end closures.

 Basic Qualifications

• BA/BSc Degree in finance, financial management, economics, accounting, or related field from recognized institution. Additional experience may substitute for some education. Additional working experience may substitute for some education.
• Master’s Degree in Economics, Finance & Accounting will be considered a plus.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, Word.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures preferred.
• Experience with accounting systems is required.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of Oracle Cloud Based (Insight ERP) financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Personal Skills

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decision.
• Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrated strengths in financial management with a strong client service focus; able to work with diverse groups of people and team-oriented environment.
• Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties.
• Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
• Able to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment.
• Strong customer orientation and oral and written communication.
• Able to adapt and learn.
• Ability to develop effective systems considering organizational effectiveness and impact on people.
• Maturity and discretion, able to work with, and maintain confidential information.
• Knowledge of or experience with social service programming preferred

Required Languages – Spoken proficiency in English and Russian or Romanian is required.

Travel – Occasional travel within Moldova and to Ukraine may be requested.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

 Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Finance Officer, Finance Assistant 

Internal: CRS Finance and Operations team, other CRS staff

External: Donors, Banks, Partner Organizations, Auditors and Local Government Officials

 ***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.

Disclaimers: 

• 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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer; CRS is always looking for qualified, diverse and compelling candidates to join our agency and support our great work.
• By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics. 
• Please note that applications will be continuously reviewed, and CRS reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
• We thank all applicants for their interest, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.