Programme / Project Controller

Published on: 30/05/2023

IRC is looking for a Programme / Project Controller to join IRC’s Support Hub

Background to the post

IRC is a project-funded organisation, receiving its income from more than 30 different donors who fund around 100-120 active projects. A set of projects together – often allocated to the same Country Office – constitutes a programme. The Programme/Project Controller works on a project as well as a programme level:

• Project Control is considered to be the management of resources (i.e. time, money and people) in accordance with the IRC Financial Manual, and in compliance with respective donor guidelines and the project contract – in close conjunction with the assigned Project Manager.
• Programme Control is considered to be the provision of management information for a defined programme (consisting of a number of related projects) with the purpose to steer towards an optimisation of indirect cost recovery, in line with the agreed ambition and Profit & Loss Statement (P&L) for the programme/Country Office.

The Programme/Project Controller has an instrumental role in guiding the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with respect to the financial management of IRC’s projects and programmes. The Programme/Project Controller is, within a given portfolio, accountable for quality financial reporting to donors and the effective (and financially sound) implementation of projects in close collaboration with the respective project managers and country representatives.

The Programme/Project Controller is positioned in the IRC Support Hub and is assigned a specific portfolio of programmes, projects and additional tasks. The Programme/Project Controller reports to the CFO and should be able to work location-independent (i.e. not necessarily from the Netherlands only).

Your profile and main responsibilities                                                           

Main responsibilities

• Advising the Head of Department on the development of realistic Profit & Loss Statements, and assisting in planning, monitoring and analysing the financial status of the programme.
• In conjunction with the IRC’s Growth Hub, develop budgets for funding proposals that comply with (donor) guidelines, including the identification and assessment of financial risks.
• Reviewing, understanding and monitoring of contractual commitments, including the timely invoicing of project costs to partners and donors.
• Recording of administrative flows to provide project management information, including cash flow forecasts.
• Preparing financial progress reports and project overviews to donors and ensuring that all supporting documents for donor reporting are made available according to donor requirements.
• Preparing end-of-project financial reports and project evaluations as well as coordinating project audits when applicable.
• Facilitating the complete and proper reporting of project finances for incorporation in IRC’s general ledger, quarterly reporting and Annual Accounts (such as work-in-progress balances and expenditure accruals).
• Documenting lessons learnt, opportunities for financial enhancements and ensuring that all project-related information is (electronically) accessible.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of Information Systems (Exact ERP), General Ledger and improvement of procedures.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s level in accounting
• At least 5 years’ experience in project control, preferably in an international context
• Fluent in English, verbally and in writing. French, Spanish and/or Portuguese is an advantage
• Excellent knowledge of and experience with Excel and Exact (Synergy and Globe) Enterprise Resources and Planning (ERP) and Sumatra
• Pro-active, hands-on attitude with strong analytical and reporting skills
• Accurate, is capable of setting priorities and can multi-task
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, and able to work in a multicultural and inclusive environment
• Intercultural sensitivity and affinity with the international development sector
• Work experience abroad
• Knowledge of NGO donors and their financial reporting requirements
• Experience with the USAID requirements

Desirable requirements

• Intercultural sensitivity and affinity with the international development sector
• Work experience abroad
• Knowledge of NGO donors and their financial reporting requirements
• Experience with the USAID requirements.

Details of the position

The candidate will initially be offered a one-year contract for full-time work (40 hours per week), but 32 hours per week is negotiable.

The position can be fulfilled remotely, but our preference is that the candidate is based in one of the countries where IRC has a registered office, and where arrangements for the use of an IRC office are in place.

The position is in line with IRC’s Senior Support Officer+ (plus) level. The exact remuneration rate will be determined in accordance with the experience and qualifications of the applicant based on the salary scales of the IRC Office where the candidate will be based.

For IRC the Netherlands, the salary is based on scale 16 of the IRC salary scales and, in addition to the salary, IRC NL provides a holiday bonus of 8%, an end-of-year allowance of 8.3% and 31 annual leave days.

Start date: as soon as possible.

Candidates are kindly requested to respond with a short motivation letter explaining their interest in the position and a concise curriculum vitae (CVs without a motivational letter will be rejected) no later than 18^th June 2023 to recruitment@ircwash.org attn. Marion Giese. 

Job interviews will be scheduled on 22^nd and 23^rd June (1^st round) and 26^th June (2^nd round). For additional information please contact Rutger Verkerk, CFO, at verkerk@ircwash.org