Deputy Finance Manager - Grants and Compliance

Job Summary

The Deputy Finance Manager – Grants and Compliance oversees 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) effective stewardship of resources, and adherence to CRS policies, donor requirements, and applicable regulations. The Deputy Finance Manager provide oversight of financial risks, internal controls, grant and partner financial management, audit and compliance processes, and the effective utilization and analysis of cash resources controlled by the Country Program. The role contributes to strengthening financial systems, identifying and mitigating emerging financial and compliance risks, and promoting consistent financial management practices that support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable.

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.
• 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.
• Oversee finance risk and internal control processes, including identification and monitoring of financial risks, implementation of mitigation measures, compliance with CRS Internal Control Standards, and timely resolution of control weaknesses.
• Monitor emerging financial and operational risks, including those associated with security and access constraints, inflation, currency volatility, banking disruptions, and segregation of duties, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
•  Oversee the financial compliance of grants throughout the award lifecycle, including financial aspects of grant implementation and closure, to ensure expenditures and financial management practices align with approved budgets, award conditions, donor regulations, and CRS policies.
• Monitor grant financial performance and compliance across institutional donors, including the World Bank, EU, DOS, and UN agencies, identifying significant spending variances, ineligible costs, budget overruns, potential disallowances, and other financial or compliance risks for management action.
• Maintain oversight of grant finance and compliance information, including relevant finance updates in Gateway and compliance monitoring dashboards, to support timely management review and decision-making.
• Oversee financial monitoring of partners and subrecipients to promote sound financial management and compliance with CRS and donor requirements, identifying control or compliance gaps and monitoring corrective actions.
• Provide financial and compliance guidance to relevant teams and partners to strengthen understanding and consistent application of financial management, donor, and internal control requirements.
• Contribute financial expertise to proposal development, particularly in budget development and review, to promote realistic costing, donor compliance, and alignment with Country Program financial requirements. 
• Support the Finance Manager in strengthening finance team capacity, including recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and training, and contribute to effective coordination across Finance, Programs, Operations, and other relevant functions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting and a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an International NGO.
• Experience managing financial risk, donor compliance, internal controls, audit readiness, fraud prevention, and partner financial management in complex humanitarian and fragile operating environments.
• Masters Degree
• Substantial budgeting, budget/expense analysis, and accounting experience.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations 
• Knowledge of local law in taxation and local regulatory reporting procedures.
• Strong donor compliance knowledge, particularly for institutional donors active in Sudan.
• Knowledge of Oracle financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Excellent analytical skills with ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Accuracy and completeness with a strong eye for detail
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management and internal control frameworks
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Required Languages: English; Arabic is an added advantage

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% within Darfur and the East of Sudan

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• 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.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.