The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
BACKGROUND
The IRC Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) Department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the United States and in Europe. With a network of 28 offices in the U.S., 6 in Europe, and 3 in Asia, RAI served over 668K clients across the network in FY23, including clients served via direct services and information services.
RAI continues to innovate programs and provide technical assistance to ensure that the most vulnerable refugees, asylum-seekers, immigrants, migrants, and other vulnerable groups have the necessary support to feel safe and well, get the services they need day to day, and become financially independent from the time they arrive, throughout their journeys, and in their new homes.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Head of Finance, RAI at IRC offers an exceptional opportunity to craft the financial landscape of a world-class organization dedicated to increasing scale and impact to our clients through our programs and direct services. This role is based in New York and is pivotal in driving our ambitious mission forward.
The Head of Finance will enhance our financial direction for RAI, with dual reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and the Senior Vice President of RAI. This role requires both strategic oversight and meticulous financial management to drive successful outcomes for our clients, communities, donors, and other stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
Financial Performance & Risk Management
• Lead departmental financial performance monitoring routines to ensure resources are used efficiently and that any under-performance is swiftly identified and corrected.
• Provide CFO, SVP, and Senior Management Teams (SMT) with comprehensive analyses of financial performance, both aggregate and specific to individual units.
• Identify and mitigate material risks to financial performance, management, and compliance within RAI.
• Maintain visibility on major audits, investigations, and other control and compliance reviews, ensuring timely and quality implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure finance integration in Enterprise Risk Management at all levels.
• Develop and achieve relevant RAI and Finance annual objectives.
Financial Management & Oversight
• Ensure adherence to robust financial management practices and accounting standards across all RAI units and country programs.
• Maintain strong financial controls to comply strictly with our financial standards and donor requirements.
• Ensure grant and contract budgets reflect program needs, optimize direct cost coverage, and meet donor expectations.
• Guarantee that donor grant and contract budgets are spent appropriately and that financial reports are accurate and timely.
• Deliver excellent mentorship on financial and accounting practices along with relevant policies and regulations.
• Manage funding for match needs or strategic subsidies to improve programmatic impact.
• Coordinate the allocation and management of flexible ‘field funding’ to minimize subsidies and improve strategic investments.
• Ensure business processes within RAI are efficient, compliant, and fit-for-purpose.
Financial Systems, Policies & Processes
• Act as RAI Business Owner for INTEGRA (IRC’s Enterprise Resource Planning system), driving its adoption and championing improvements.
• Represent RAI in developing and deploying new or upgraded finance-related technology systems.
• Partner with RAI and Finance leadership to improve financial policies, systems, and processes.
• Ensure standardized data practices and maintain high data quality across the organization.
• Contribute to the improvement of financial dashboards and internal reporting.
Cross-functional Partnership
• Liaise between RAI program teams and Global Finance to ensure systems and processes meet RAI’s needs.
• Maintain strategic financial alignment between RAI and External Relations on finance and fundraising matters.
• Foster positive relationships with the Awards Management Unit regarding strategic financial matters.
• Collaborate with Information Technology on the development of financial technology within RAI.
• Work closely with IRC’s Ethics & Compliance Unit and Internal Audit Unit on financial matters and corrective actions.
• Ensure RAI and Finance leadership are informed and can influence relevant initiatives in partner departments.
Leadership & People Management
• Provide strong leadership to the RAI Finance function, promoting IRC’s values through personal example and engagement.
• Coordinate a team of 10+ finance professionals and indirectly coordinate finance teams across the RAI organization.
• Champion professional development within the RAI Finance team through structured initiatives and ongoing feedback.
• Actively contribute as a member of the RAI Executive Leadership Team, the Global Finance Leadership Team, and IRC’s Senior Leadership Group, representing the RAI Finance function globally.
Job requirements
Qualifications & experience
• 10+ years senior-level experience in financial budgeting, planning, control, forecasting, and reporting.
• Relevant academic or professional qualifications.
• International experience in a complex, matrixed global environment, preferably in a humanitarian, or related, organization.
• Solid understanding of non-profit financial regulations and donor compliance requirements.
• Experience in collaborative management on a global scale.
• Ability to participate in global meetings off-hours and travel internationally.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies
• Strong abilities in developing effective plans and managing projects.
• Strong analytical and communication abilities.
• Proven management and leadership capabilities.
• Collaborative and personable great teammate.
• Working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (Microsoft 365) systems is desirable.
• Proficiency in French, Arabic, or Spanish is an advantage.
Compensation:
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
US Benefits:
The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
How to apply
https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req55424/Head-of-Finance-Resettlement-Asylum-Integration