Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover, and gain control over their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC Poland: The Ukraine crisis could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. More than 5.3 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million people are reported to be displaced. Reports indicate almost all arrivals in Poland are women and children, including those that are unaccompanied and separated, as well as older persons.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to emergency response, and has identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC has established operations across Ukraine and Poland offering a robust humanitarian response to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Finance Officer performs the day-to-day finance operations. He/she will provide support to the Finance Lead and is responsible for preparing financial statements, maintaining cash controls. The Finance Officer must work within the Financial Manual of IRC, Tax Policies, and Procedures and in compliance with all National Acts and Legislation. The position is based in Warsaw, Poland.

Major Responsibilities but not limited to:

Specific duties

• Maintain Custody of petty cash. Make Payments as necessary and update cash book.
• Review Purchase Orders (POs) and Purchase Requisitions (PRs) for proper coding and budget adequacy.
• Submit expenditure spreadsheets on or before 3rd of every subsequent month.
• Review all payment documents for proper and adequate back up.
• Assist in the implementation of Finance policies, procedures and systems.
• Ensure compliance with IRC procedures and guidelines.  
• Review expenditure spreadsheets for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare and upload bank payments in bank interface.
• Prepare cash and bank reconciliations.
• Ensure that statutory deductions are paid on time to avoid any penalty.
•  Forward to the payroll focal person every month, an outstanding personnel advances and charges related to personnel unique number (D7) for recovery. Ensure that advances taken in each month are liquidated appropriately.
• Liaise with Supply Chain, Administration, HR and Program staff.
• Support the Senior Finance Officer on the daily tasks.

Finance/Budgeting

• Act always in accordance with local law and standards of accounting practice.
• Review with the objective of gaining a clear understanding budget guidelines and instructions.
• Review funding allocations to enable proper guidance to programs and proper coding.
• Provide training to program staff on finance issues.
• Receptive to training provided and to develop his or her technical and professional competence.

Common duties

• Attend and participate in trainings identified/organized by your supervisor.
• Follow any new procedures and guidelines designated in circulars from Country Director.
• Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct (in-country and Worldwide) as per the IRC reporting mechanism. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all staff members.
• Assist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of refugees by IRC and other humanitarian workers.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor.

Security/Communication

• Communicate with Finance team on security issues within the office and outside the office.
• Report to the Finance Lead any irregularities that occur within the IRC main and field offices on policy and procedures.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Finance Lead

Position directly supervises: N/A

Internal: Works with other sectors on finance matters related to the organization

Job Requirements:

• Accounting or Finance qualification/degree from recognized College/Institution.
• Minimum of two years of accounting or finance experience. Previous relevant experience with International NGOs is highly desirable.
• Computer literate significant experience in Microsoft Excel.
• The candidate should be mature, with stable personality and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Polish would be an asset.
•  Exceptional interpersonal skills; tact, patience, diplomacy, and appropriate assertiveness.  

Must have the right to work in Poland.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality: 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 parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners, and staff have the power, voice, and agency to shape programs and operations. We actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC encourages women to apply and work with us to reach the people most in need of humanitarian assistance, such as women, widows, and children. The IRC is committed to providing a decent and safe work environment that considers needs of women in the workplace, including through maternity leave and safety protocols. 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, 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.