Senior Project Finance Officer

Location: Ottawa/ Ontario-Virtual working/ Global (any country where Cuso International operates in Africa and LAC)

Reports to: Manager Finance-Program and Compliance

Position Type: Permanent, Full-time

Bargaining Unit Status: Excluded

Salary range: CA$63,000 – CA$73,000

Language requirements: English is required; Bilingualism (English & Spanish/or French) is desirable

Job posting: Internal only

WHO WE ARE

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Founded in 1961, Cuso International works in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Canada.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working as a member of the Finance team and reporting to the Manager Finance-Program & Compliance, the Senior Project Finance Officer (SPFO) is responsible for the financial management of a portfolio of Cuso International international projects, including contract compliance, in coordination with program staff across all Cuso International offices. The incumbent of this position provides advice, training and guidance to program staff on financial matters related to projects. This role supports the efficient delivery of one of Cuso International projects (SHARE) around the world. SHARE is a seven year project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with a total budget exceeding $87M and with activities in several countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

JOB KEY OBJJECTIVES:

The Senior Finance Program Officer will work towards the following organizational objectives:

• Efficient Operations: Financial systems that support timely and accurate access of financial information across the organization for the SHARE program.
• Provide decision-making advice, analysis and quality information to all staff on the SHARE project
• Implementation and ongoing development of financial policies and programs
• Financial reporting of the SHARE program to internal staff as well as to GAC on a timely basis and in accordance with the agreement
• Participate in the delivery of Cuso internal audit program.
• Support the delivery of required project outputs and strong program outcomes for SHARE.
• Work closely with the Heads of Programs (HOP), Country Program Offices (CPO) and financial staff in the several offices, with their monthly financial reports and provide recommendations as to improving/strengthening adherence to financial policy and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting and Analysis for the SHARE Program

• Ensures the effective development, management, and monitoring of SHARE annual budget
• Lead and participate in the development and maintenance of SHARE financial budget and any revision
• Works in close coordination with other Project Finance Officers to ensure that project spending forecasts are incorporated into the organizational budget.
• Ensures monthly preparation, review, and accuracy of internal financial reports.
• Ensures analysis and follow-up of significant variances
• Works in close coordination with the Finance team to ensure that potential errors in the accounting system are identified and corrected.
• Prepares analyses of financial non-financial data as needed, to ensure that organizational decision-making processes are appropriately supported.
• Ensures compliance with organizational decisions, policies and procedures within the SPFO areas of responsibility of reporting and budgeting; keep abreast of relevant legislation, organizational decisions and changes to agreements, policies and procedures.
• Support and assist with annual and internal audits
• Ensures that adequate financing and support to the field team are available
• Provide advice, develop, and deploy training for field finance staff on the financial policies and procedures
• Process transfers to the field based on each country individual requirements.
• On a monthly basis review, together with the Manager-Corporate Finance, the deferred revenue account to ensure the accuracy of the balances being maintained.

Process Improvement

• Identifies ways to improve existing processes and/or develop new processes with members of the Finance team to increase the overall efficiency
• Coordinates process improvement opportunities from start to finish with support from team members
• Engages with key stakeholders to understand current systems and financial operating methods and seeks to resolve any related inefficiencies in the organization

Financial Systems

• Acts as the primary liaison for the SHARE Program to ensure that the ongoing development and implementation of Cuso International’s financial systems is consistent with the needs of the Finance team and other stakeholders
• Works to ensure that the payment requisition system (Workplace) is effective and meet the needs of the field staff.
• Ensures that field staff are trained on the accounting application (SunSystem) so they are able to process transactions timely and accurately.
• Provides clear and on-going systems guidance and training to field staff.

General

The Senior Project Finance Officer is expected to work effectively as part of the Cuso International staff team, and in particular to:

• Participate in Finance departmental team meetings, as well as Cuso International all staff meetings
• Support and assist the successful completion of annual, internal and other compliance audits
• Perform other duties and tasks in non-routine circumstances to support the successful delivery of projects
• To undertake specific additional responsibilities from time-to-time, as may be agreed upon with their Line Manager.
• Provide cover to other members of the project Finance team as needed,

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Head of Programs
• Human Recourse Department
• Country Program Offices’ Finance team

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Essential:

• University Degree (bachelor’s) or equivalent specialized certification
• Field of education: Accounting designation or commensurate experience
• 5-7 years’ experience in a Finance role working within a Finance department, with comprehensive knowledge and experience of full accounting cycle and reporting
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and other databases
• Advanced Microsoft Office Excel skills
• Ability to identify and frame situations and opportunities, and make appropriate decisions with limited guidance
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a discreet and diplomatic approach
• High level of process and detail orientation to all aspects of the organization’s finances
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to relay finance information and concepts to non-financial users
• Flexible and solution-oriented with the ability to work in a learning culture
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-departmental team and liaise with various stakeholders
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Demonstrated aptitude in identifying creative opportunities for improvement

Desirable:

• Ability to communicate in French and Spanish
• Knowledge and or experience of international volunteering.

HOW TO APPLY!

Please click the "Apply for This Job" button to submit your application by 11:59 PM EST September 14, 2022 for internal candidates**.** Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications.

Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox.

OUR COMMITMENT

Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, and sick days, and more.

Cuso International is committed to the integrity of our volunteers, interns, staff, managers, board members and subcontractors in preventing sexual violence in the way we operate. This is done through a defined framework, code of conduct, values and guiding principles, as well as Cooperation Canada’s Leaders’ Pledge.

Accommodations will be provided at any stage of the hiring process upon request.