Finance Business Partner - UK RAI Programmes

BACKGROUND
Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England as part of the Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) department.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

The Purpose of the Role

The Programme Finance Manager leads financial management for the IRC UK RAI programme, acting as the programme team’s day-to-day finance partner — embedding financial thinking into programme decisions rather than just reporting on them after the fact. The postholder drives high-quality financial processes across the full programme cycle — from contract reviews and budget proposals through to financial planning, reforecasting, reporting, performance monitoring, risk management and compliance.

The postholder line manages the Programme Finance Officer and is responsible for building the capacity of the wider programme team on finance processes. They bring curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring how AI tools can improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of financial management in day-to-day work.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy, Planning and Finance Business Partnering (30%)

• Contribute to the IRC UK RAI annual planning cycle, working alongside the Director of Programmes UK to develop financially sound programme strategies and multi-year budget frameworks.
• Provide strategic financial insight and analysis to inform programme decisions, including scenario modelling, cost-benefit analysis and funding gap assessments.
• Act as a trusted finance partner to programme leads, translating financial data into clear, actionable insight and embedding finance into programme design, delivery and decision-making from the outset.
• Develop multi-year financial models and funding scenarios to support the sustainability, growth and diversification of the RAI UK portfolio.
• Partner with programme leads to shape new business and funding strategies, advising on financial viability, pricing and resource allocation.

Budget Monitoring and Planning (25%)

• Lead on the preparation of project budgets to support timely, accurate and complete proposals to donors, ensuring compliance with all donor guidelines.
• Coordinate with IRC’s global headquarters on updating and maintaining the operating budget and reforecasts.
• Prepare budget guidelines and scenario plans to assist programme managers in formulating budgets and spending plans.
• Provide programme and senior management staff with monthly Budget vs Actual reports for all grants, contracts and unrestricted funds; identify risks and mitigation measures.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and present at senior management review meetings.

Grants and Contracts (20%)

• Lead on Grant Opening, Review and Closure Meetings to ensure sound financial management throughout the grant cycle.
• Review funding opportunities to assess financial risk and viability; advise programme leadership on whether to pursue or decline opportunities.
• Support programme design to ensure financial viability and adherence to contract terms.
• Analyse reporting terms, provide timely advice and ensure conditions are met throughout the grant or contract period.
• Attend external stakeholder meetings and lead financial presentations.
• Provide capacity-building support to implementing partners on financial management and compliance.
• Review partner budgets, due diligence and pricing; provide recommendations and advise on potential risks, KPIs and payment terms.
• Assess reporting requirements, carry out financial reviews and approvals, and ensure appropriate and timely payments to partners.

Accounting, Risk, Audit and Internal Controls (10%)

• Maintain and enforce internal financial controls across the RAI UK programme, always ensuring adherence to IRC UK policies and donor regulations.
• Identify and implement improvements to financial controls and risk management processes on an ongoing basis.
• Prepare and maintain a programme-level financial risk register; identify, escalate and actively manage financial risks in close collaboration with programme and senior management teams.
• Lead on audit readiness, ensuring that all financial documentation is complete, accurate and appropriately filed in advance of internal and external audits.
• Act as the primary finance contact for any donor or statutory audits, coordinating responses and providing supporting documentation as required.
• Maintain the integrity of IRC accounts through timely reviews, correction journals and reconciliations, with appropriate supporting documentation.
• Prepare monthly salary allocation splits in line with timesheets and approved budgets.
• Prepare invoices, post into the accounting system and manage aged debt and receivables.
• Support smooth monthly financial closings in close collaboration with the UK Finance team.

Line Management (10%)

• Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and development support to the Programme Finance Officer.
• Set clear objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones and carry out annual performance reviews for direct report.
• Support the professional development of the Programme Finance Officer, identifying training opportunities and building their technical skills.
• Manage workload distribution within the team to ensure deadlines are met and quality is maintained.

Capacity Building and General (5%)

• Create and lead finance training for non-finance colleagues on required processes, including step-by-step guidance notes.
• Ensure completeness of grant financial documentation in the centralised filing system.
• Proactively seek out and implement process improvements.
• Complete all other tasks as required by the Financial Controller, Director of Programmes UK and Regional Finance Deputy Director.

Scope and Authority

Authority:

Operates with a high degree of autonomy, reporting to the Director of Programmes UK. Authorised to review, verify and approve programme-related financial documents and payment requests; to represent the finance unit at internal and external stakeholder meetings; and to manage the Programme Finance Officer.

Responsibility for Resources:

Oversees programme financial transactions, budget monitoring, donor reporting and partner financial management; is accountable for the accuracy and integrity of project budgets within their portfolio, though not a budget holder. Maintains accurate financial records in line with data protection requirements, and directly line manages the Programme Finance Officer, with broader responsibility for building financial capability across programme staff and implementing partners.

Key Working Relationships

• Director of Programmes UK – Direct supervisor
• Programme Finance Officer – Direct report
• Deputy Director of Finance RAI Europe – Regional financial advisor
• Financial Controller (UK) – UK financial advisor
• Programme Managers – Partnering

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Qualified Accountant (CCAB or equivalent).
• A strong understanding of charity finance including detailed knowledge of financial management and reporting, desirably including experience with contract pricing and local authority funding.
• Confident using Excel for budgeting, financial modelling and data analysis (e.g. pivot tables, lookup functions, multi-tab workbooks).
• Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to non-finance audiences.
• Organised and detail-oriented, with a data-driven approach to your work.
• Comfortable working independently with limited supervision and productively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with staff at different levels, functions and locations.
• Comfortable working with multi-currency budgets.
• Interest in integrating AI tools into day-to-day financial work (e.g. for analysis, reporting, modelling or process improvement).

Experience:

• In financial management and monitoring, specifically supporting programmes.
• Budgeting, reforecasting and donor financial reporting.
• Contributing to strategic financial planning or multi-year budget development.
• In grants and contract management for donor-funded projects.
• line managing or supervising staff.
• Contributing to audit processes and maintaining audit-ready financial records.

Criteria in the Person Specification under essential are the minimum criteria in line with our commitments under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in the UK. UK-based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet these criteria will be invited to interview.

Standard Responsibilities

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC UK.

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Standard Job Requirements

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Diversity and Inclusion

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterised by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Narrowing the Gender Gap: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: £55,000/yr). 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.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and we seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.

IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments.

Recruitment Process

The process for this role will be as follows:

• Online assessment
• First round panel interview online
• Second round panel interview

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org

The deadline to apply is Sunday 2nd August at 11.59pm BST