Regional Financial Specialist

Job Details

Description
Join Our Team as a Regional Financial Specialist at the International Republican Institute (IRI)
About Iri
The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom. We link people with their governments, support politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate those citizens to engage in the political process.

Role
At IRI, every employee plays a crucial role in advancing our mission across the globe. We're looking for passionate individuals who embody our Core Values and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team. Our values include:

• Excellence: We deliver quality results by investing in our people.
• Freedom: We embrace exploration and experimentation to stay agile and responsive.
• Respect: We trust, empathize, and empower each other.
• Teamwork: We value the power of global collaboration.
• Transparency: We believe in open communication and clear decision-making.
• Accountability: Personal responsibility is the foundation of our success.

ABOUT THE TEAM:
FINANCE TEAM

The Finance Division is a part of the operations team at IRI. Each finance department works both independently and together to develop and implement effective financial policies, plans, and reporting systems that ensure IRI's long term fiscal health. Across the institute worldwide, the finance division supports the mission and vision of IRI. These employees provide invaluable support to the program teams at IRI, enabling them to carry out activities all over the world, even in remote and less developed areas.

ABOUT THE ROLE:
REGIONAL FINANCIAL SPECIALIST

The Regional Financial Specialist will provide support to Field Accountants in IRI field offices; reviewing payments, expenses, and documents in addition to providing training on IRI's policies and procedures.

Please note that at this time, we are only able to consider candidates who are eligible to work within Kenya. Applications from individuals without a work authorization for this country will not be considered for this position.
Key Responsibilities

• Review expenses submitted by the field offices in assigned portfolio for reasonableness and compliance with GAAP, funder, and IRI regulations.
• Provide IRI process support, including training of Field Accountants on employee setup, AP bills, entries and approvals, expense reports and program reports.
• Support Program Accountants in award management.
• Serve as POC for resources outlining local regulations of the countries in assigned portfolio.
• Serve as POC for compliance with local regulations, registration and operations (e.g. bank, taxes, VAT, local government reporting, payment conditions and currency restrictions); employment regulations, benefits (time off, severance), salary and tax calculations (from gross to net), employment termination conditions; understanding of taxable and non-taxable benefits (e.g. per diem); withholding tax for contractual services.
• Train Field Accountants and explains IRI accounting processes of monthly reporting to DC, rolling budgets, exchange rate calculations, imprest summary forms, filing system, bank, and cash operations.
• Conduct financial review of field offices in the assigned portfolio.
• Advise on opening and closing of field offices.
• Assist Field Accountants and country management team in the local audit and funder reviews of the field offices.
• Remain in constant communication with assigned field offices.
• Provide updates to the Field Accountants and local employees on changes in IRI policies and accounting procedures.
• Communicate with DC Finance team and provide constant updates on any issues, questions, or concerns in the Field Offices.
• Provide temporary support to other Field Offices when another Regional Financial Specialist is on leave.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note:
This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process.

What We're Looking For
We seek a passionate and experienced individual with:

• Bachelors or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years relevant experience in a finance role.
• Professional experience with expense report review and regulation compliance.
• Experience training staff on financial processes and reporting.
• Flexibility to assume a workload that frequently necessitates an adjustment of priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to multi-task, and ability to work under time pressures.
• Strong attention and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.
• International non-governmental organization experience preferred.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS – RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES
In your application, please include a copy of your most up-to-date resume along with a cover letter that outlines your background and explains why you are interested in this opportunity. Additionally, please include the contact details of at least 2-3 professional references. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact your references before the final interview.