Finance Officer

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

• By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of origins, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The Finance Officer is a member of MSF International Finance Department and reports directly to the Finance Controller of the MSF International Office, as well as functionally to the Head of Resources of the APH.

The objective of MSF International Finance Department is to ensure that MSF International funds are used adequately in accordance with our accountability principles and to enable the optimal use of financial resources.

The Finance Officer will be specially focused on the newly created APH Structure and its development and also supporting the new collective investment Supply Agenda for Transformation.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

Working closely with the Head of Resources for APH and Finance Controller of the MSF International Office:

• Prepare Budgets, Forecasts and follow up on actuals for APH (Access to Product Health) and Supply Agenda for Transformation, while also supporting the International Office Finance Team for any needs.
• Support the Budget Holders in planning, forecasting and cost tracking for APH and the project Supply Agenda for Transformation and for other future specific projects.
• Develop financial analysis and financial reports.
• Support the setup of cost centres, project codes and aligning projects with budget and cost monitoring.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Financial Officer responsibilities are:

Budgeting / Forecasting

• Support in improving the actual tools, such as the FMT (Financial Management Tool).
• Contribute to the annual budget and mid-year review processes.
• Provide assistance / direction to Budget Holders to build their budget including projections and financial simulations.
• Update the rolling forecast to ensure full visibility on budget follow-up: in collaboration with the accounting team and the HR team, keep track of all expenditures (third-party contracts, travels, training, recruitments, etc.).
• Conduct regular meetings with Budget Holders to ensure that they are tracking costs, understand their activities and challenges, and anticipate any financial needs or issues that may arise.

Developing Finance - APH in project-based analytical coding

• Support the link between existing finance and accounting systems that will interface with the project management system “Asana”, with the purpose of analysing our projects with existing tools and all info being based on the same denominators.
• Establish and maintain project codes that correspond with cost centers and / or budget lines, with the objective to have tracking, monitoring and analysis possibilities based on the same denominators.
• Ensure accurate tracking and monitoring of project-specific expenses via the link of project management and finance management.
• Facilitate better budgeting and forecasting through detailed financial analysis.
• Collaborate with project managers to ensure financial data is accurately reflected in project reports, helping set up the necessary infrastructure.
• Help set up and provide regular financial reports and updates to stakeholders, or facilitate their production through existing tools (FMT, forecasting, etc.).
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between project management and financial systems.
• Train and support staff on the use of the integrated systems.
• Continuously improve the integration process to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Reporting and analysis

• Prepare regular financial analysis and reporting (including the monthly follow-up) on actual results compared to Budget and prior year.
• Prepare support materials for financial presentations to different meetings and platforms.
• Support on other reporting and ad hoc analysis as required (for example, carbon footprint and cost efficiency metrics for travels).
• Report to the Finance Controller of the MSF International Office for consolidation of the APH Budget, Forecast and any deviations on actuals.
• Participate in monthly and annual closings (accruals, analytic allocations…) especially for APH and Supply Agenda for transformation and for any additional needs in the Finance Team.
• Budget verification and purchase requests validations.
• Liaise with auditors when necessary.

Accountancy & Contract / Procurement Support (only as back up)

• Consultancies / Supplier contracts and contracts follow-up.
• Import Exchange rate in D365 and Excel.
• Hosting Policy Accruals for Budget Follow-up FMT.
• Reversal Accruals / FNP and prepayments.

IT systems

• In collaboration with the Finance Controller, improve and maintain the FMT Tool.
• In collaboration with the finance Team, participate in the implementation of different D365 modules or complementary software (for example, expense management, dematerialization).

Minimum Requirements:

• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and challenges of MSF.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Finance.
• At least three years of experience in a similar position.
• Proficiency in financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent people skills, ability to work with senior managers and advise on financial matters.
• Self-driven, positive, flexible and resilient with a hands-on approach.
• Problem-solving team member prepared to assist when necessary in all tasks required within a small finance team.
• Ability to deal with confidential information.
• Strong computer literacy, including expertise in Excel (preferably with VBA), good knowledge on ERP and BI systems (Dynamics 365 and Power BI an asset).
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English, French or another language is an asset.