Head of Finance and Support Services – Syrian Arab Republic

DanChurchAid (DCA) invites applications for an experienced Head of Finance and Support Services (HoFSS) for its Syria programme. This is a non-family position, based in Raqqa, North-East Syria (NES) with travel required across NES.

The HoFSS reports to the Country Director and is an integral part of the Senior Management Team. The function provides high-level guidance on the technical areas of all support services (including finance, HR procurement, logistics, IT and administration). You will be responsible for providing and ensuring efficient and integrated support services, overseeing a range of crucial tasks central to the smooth running of DCA operations and functions across the entire country programme.

You will work in a potentially hostile and arduous environment. Conditions in Syria require a level head, problem solving, a great deal of flexibility and attention to detail as well as a positive attitude and high level of self-motivation. If you have these qualities and skills and looking for a challenging opportunity with a leading humanitarian and mine action NGO, then we would like to hear from you.

The main duties relating to this position are as follows:

Coordination and Technical Support

• Contribute to the Country Programme strategies and policies through advisory services to the Country Director and proactively provide solutions to emerging issues and risks.
• Provide technical advice and operational guidance on innovative approaches to project financing, risk assessment/mitigation and use of financing structures and mechanisms.
• Lead and coordinate the support services teams, including the management of the technical leads of finance, ProLog, human resources, and the 4 base coordinators.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify the need, determine cost and plan country programme support services.
• Participate in external forum discussions/platforms to ensure the organisation’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered.

Project Planning and Coordination Support

• Support the programme on project budget preparation.
• Monitor country office financial projections and refer critical issues to the CD.
• Oversee programme and project cost sharing, deployment of funds and closure.
• Monitor/analyse the operating environment to identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Ensure close liaison with the Field Offices is maintained in order to troubleshoot any issues that might cause interruption in the support services management.

Procurement and Logistics

• Support viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with the organisation’s procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity, performance and cost effectiveness.
• Review the efficiency and integrity of the procurement evaluation process to ensure cost-effective procurement of goods and services.
• Review contractual arrangements and legal commitments/risks for appropriate action.
• Evaluate, update and monitor the performance of service providers /current vendors.
• Ensure DCA assets and inventory items are transported, stored and allocated according to DCA procedures.
• Ensure the ProLog team provides proactive and constructive support to the programme

Financial Management

• Oversee the Finance Unit and ensure compliance with the organization’s financial rules, regulations and finance procedures.
• Review financial plans and oversee the budget process/cycle to ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds.
• Contribute to and support timely submission of financial reports (internal and external).
• Monitor Budget expenditures for the Country Office and ensure that all transactions are properly recorded.
• Manage the NES project budgets, monitor that expenditures are in line with project budgets and DCA and donor requirements and spent in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure a healthy balance of funds to underpin both programme and support structures is budgeted and allocated to projects.
• Ensure the correct allocation and forecasting for support costs and that programme teams fulfil their function in budget follow up.

Human Resource Management

• Oversee the ongoing development of team composition and structures to ensure that they are fit for purpose, aid in the development of job descriptions/terms of reference, oversee recruitment processes and the orientation of staff.
• In consultation with relevant managers and colleagues, plan and implement staff annual appraisal system/performance reviews.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
• Ensure that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender, background and geography.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Ensure HR policies and guidelines are developed in a compliant/consultative manner.

Administration, Information Technology and Knowledge Management

• In close collaboration with Headquarters support the compilation of yearly budget forecasting, annual reports and contribute to donor reporting guidelines.
• Oversee the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
• Identify innovative opportunities for use of IT platforms/systems to enhance efficiency and to facilitate knowledge management, and information sharing.
• At the request of the Country Director and in collaboration with the team, plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel.

Accountability and Learning

• Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance indicators for support staff and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation all staff performance.
• Act as focal point for any internal/external audit exercise.
• Monitor and supervise all aspects of the programme ensuring compliance with DCA rules, regulations, policies, standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Contribute to culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all projects.
• Work in accordance with DCA values and humanitarian principles.
• Maintain effective working relationship with other members of the programme.
• Be a role model for diversity and inclusion, as well as a positive role model for contributing to the team spirit.

Applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of INGO work experience in a similar role is essential.
• Experience as a manager with the ability to mentor and enhance capacities essential.
• Good understanding of the humanitarian principles linked to NGO field and operations contexts.
• Work experience in remote and insecure field locations.
• Strong leadership, team building and communication skills.
• Flexibility, cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Computer literacy essential including proficiency in Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of Arabic would be advantageous.

We offer:

• 12 -month contract with the possibility of extension.
• A competitive salary package.
• 30 days of paid annual leave.
• A generous R&R allowance.
• Insurance as per industry standards.
• An interesting and challenging experience addressing humanitarian needs.

Closing date: 15th September 2023. Please note, applications will be reviewed and interviewed on a rolling basis and DCA reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the closing date.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Code of Conduct, Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy. Only online applications consisting as a minimum of a CV and a cover letter will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.