Rights Respected, People Protected

About NRC:

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental humanitarian organization with 75 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, food security, livelihoods, legal Assistance, and water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors. The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 6000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. NRC runs the world's largest standby roster, NORCAP, with 650 professionals ready to be deployed on 72-hour notice when a crisis occurs.  

NRC in the Islamic Republic of Iran:

NRC started operations in Iran in 2012. We currently deliver humanitarian assistance in 10 provinces in Education, Food Security and livelihoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter construction, as well as Information, Counseling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA). We co-lead several technical inter-agency working groups and provide capacity building to humanitarian partners in the country. Next to our programs, NRC Iran also built an advocacy unit to develop joint messages and initiatives among INGOs to improve the rights of the displaced. Following several recent breakthroughs, NRC Iran is scaling up substantially its activities in support of the Government of Iran's efforts towards an estimated 3,6 million Afghans residing in the country and is expanding its programme unit.

About Finance Coordinator in NRC Iran:

The purpose of the coordinator position is the day-to-day implementation of the support functions responsibilities. 

Role and responsibilities

The following is a brief description of the role and generic responsibilities.

• Implement NRC's financial systems, procedures, and internal controls at the area level.
• Ensure adherence to the NRC Financial Handbook, country-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and donor requirements.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely financial reports and analysis to the Area Manager and Country Office Finance Manager.
• Ensure proper and systematic filing (physical and electronic) of all financial supporting documents in line with the NRC Securing Supporting Documentation procedure.
• Support and train line managers, budget holders, and project staff on financial matters, including budgeting, monitoring, and compliance.
• Ensure that all accounting, monitoring, and financial reporting are according to NRC and donor procedures.
• Maintain budget control, monitor cash flow for the area office and its projects, and alert management to potential under/overspending.
• Lead the financial verification process, ensuring all transactions are properly authorized and supported before payment.
• Promote the rights of displaced people in line with NRC's advocacy strategy, ensuring financial processes support programme delivery.
• Contribute to the extraction of key learnings from financial operations related to risk mitigation and protection.

Specific responsibilities 

• Support the Area Manager and budget holders in the preparation of donor budgets and budget revisions, ensuring alignment with the Country Office Master Budget.
• Lead the monthly budget monitoring process at the area level. Prepare Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports, analyze variances, and provide substantive support to budget holders during monthly financial review meetings.
• Lead the daily financial operations, including verification of payment requests, preparation of vouchers, and ensuring accurate and timely booking of all transactions in the Unit4/Agresso accounting system.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of internal control procedures at the area level, in line with the Financial Handbook and local SOPs, to minimize financial risk.
• Ensure the accuracy of the area-level shared costs and contribute to the monthly allocation process in line with the Fair Shared Cost Allocation (FS) model.
• Update the area-level spending plans in the Master Budget tool on a monthly basis, in consultation with the Area Manager and budget holders.
• Ensure all monthly transactions are closed in a timely manner and that all accounting periods are balanced and reconciled by the deadlines set by the Country Office Finance Manager.
• Ensure all supporting documentation (invoices, delivery notes, contracts) is complete, verified, and archived before releasing any payment, in compliance with the Verification and Payment Checklist.
• Coordinate and prepare documentation for internal and external audits relating to the Kerman area office, including project audits and the annual statutory audit.
• Manage and reconcile the area office's petty cash, bank accounts, and cash advances, ensuring strict adherence to segregation of duties and cash handling procedures.

• Conduct financial monitoring and capacity-building visits to local implementing partners, including financial verification and support as required

  Competencies

Competencies are important for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories: 

Generic professional competencies: 

• At least 5 years of working experience in a similar position 

• University degree of Accounting

• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts

• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

• Good knowledge of written and spoken English; Fluent in written and spoken Farsi. 

Context-related skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint 

• Banking procedures in Iran 

Behavioral competencies

These personal qualities influence how successful people are in their jobs. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies and the following are essential for this position: 

• Planning and delivering results

• Managing performance

• Empowering and building trust

• Communicating with impact and respect

• Working with People

• Analysing 

We Can Offer

Contract: 3-month probation with possibility of extension

Salary: Based on NRC grade structure- This position is grade 7 of the organizational grading and structure.

Duty Station: Iran-Kerman with some field visit to the provinces where NRC is operating.