To fulfill its mission of assistance to victims of conflicts, epidemics or natural disasters, MSF-Switzerland has created an Emergency Pool, of which members are experienced individuals capable of evaluating a situation, opening, closing and coordinating emergency projects. The post of Emergency Finance Coordinator reports directly to the Emergency Coordinator and to the Emergency Cell (Operations Department at headquarters in Geneva).
The successful candidate is expected to:
Work in all contexts set by the Emergency cell (Ecell)
Have the flexibility to work in different positions depending on your profile (Finance and/or HR)
Work in emergency contexts with regular cells
Fill gaps in regular projects if/when needed.
All countries where the emergency desk opens activities, which require an urgent response.
On call, as Emergency Finance Coordinator you should be available within 48 hours for rapid and short interventions. You will part of a core group of medicals, para-medicals and support staff responsible for responding to:
Epidemic outbreaks
Nutritional crises
Displaced populations and/or refugees’ camps
Conflict contexts
Natural disasters
Exploratory missions
Short gaps filling in the field on regular missions
Capacity building
Assistance to Finance for specific dossiers at HQ in Geneva
Participating in the definition of the missions objectives and strategies in collaboration with the E-Coordo, planning, implementing and monitoring the financial operational and budget needs. Defining the financial strategy for the mission with the E-Coordo, assessing and mitigating the financial risks of the mission and ensuring the implementation of a relevant mission organizational set up and a reliable internal control system. Ensuring proper implementation and respect of MSF policies and guidelines, ensuring they are aligned with legal requirements and within the national legal framework, and designing or adapting relevant local policies, procedures and tools for optimized management of the mission's financial resources.
Coordinating and ensuring the efficient management of the treasury including the whole accounting of the mission, in order to ensure the smooth running of operations at all times and maintaining as much control as possible on security risks. Providing regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial health of the mission and providing relevant cost analysis, regularly monitoring of expenses vs budget, analyzing variances and suggesting corrective actions when needed. Being responsible for the management, supervision and development of the finance team, including coaching, training. Sensitizing key executive staff such as coordinators, budget holders and relevant management on financial risks and the extent of their financial responsibilities.
24 months of international field experience with MSF including 12 months in a Finance coordination role, who have had at least one mission in an emergency context with MSF.
Or international field experience from other humanitarian organizations, with 12 months of field experience in emergency contexts in a Finance coordination role and 12 months as administrator Finance and HR. Who have carried out at least one mission in an emergency context with MSF.
Capacity to quickly evaluate an emergency on ground and to propose an appropriate Finance strategy.
General knowledge of MSF in emergency management
Ability to define, coordinate and monitor the implementation and management of finance strategies, policies, internal control, and all financial administrative and legal issues in the mission in line with the context - specifically in emergency context and operational challenges
Proven skills in budget construction and budget follow-up in an emergency intervention to provide guidance in term of operational decisions
Ability to set up, recruit, and train the Finance team.
Proven skills in negotiation, diplomacy, and decision-making skills
Proven capacity for coordination and organization
Capacity to work in a volatile, insecure context and deal with stress
Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team
Availability, flexibility, mobility
Fluency in both French and English
Preferred:
Knowledge of Unifield, and strong skills in information technology
Knowledge of MSF’s procedures for Administration and Finance
Desirable:
Other languages represent an advantage: Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese