The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation committed to assisting people who are forced to flee from their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster. With operations in more than 30 countries, NRC has built a reputation for delivering high-quality assistance while defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons.
The organisation is currently seeking a Finance Coordinator to join its Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya. This role plays an important part in supporting NRC’s humanitarian and recovery work across the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. The Finance Coordinator will be responsible for implementing NRC’s financial systems and procedures, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, supporting accurate financial reporting, and providing technical assistance to project teams.
This position requires a strong understanding of financial management in humanitarian and development contexts, coupled with the ability to provide timely, accurate, and compliant financial services to support programme delivery.
Job Description
The Finance Coordinator is entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities that contribute to the effective and transparent management of financial resources. The role requires close collaboration with multiple departments, country offices, and hosted entities within the ESA Regional Hub. The coordinator will be expected to ensure compliance, accuracy, and timely financial processes that are essential to maintaining accountability and transparency within NRC.
The responsibilities can be grouped into key categories as outlined below.
Core Responsibilities
- Implement NRC’s systems and procedures at the country and regional levels.
- Ensure adherence to NRC’s policies, handbooks, guidelines, and donor requirements.
- Prepare and submit financial reports and analytical reviews.
- Ensure proper filing of all supporting documentation in line with NRC’s filing protocols.
- Support line managers in applying financial procedures and deliver training to support teams where required.
- Ensure that accounting, monitoring, and reporting are conducted according to established procedures.
- Provide financial advice and support to project staff as required.
- Maintain budget control and monitor cash flow to ensure accuracy and alignment with project and regional objectives.
Specific Responsibilities
In addition to the general responsibilities, the Finance Coordinator will undertake specific tasks in the day-to-day management of NRC’s finances at the regional hub. These include:
- Documentation and Payment Processing
- Review and verify supporting documentation for payment requests, ensuring compliance and accuracy before processing bank or cash disbursements.
- Budget Variance Analysis (BVA)
- Prepare and submit monthly Budget Variance Analysis reports for the Regional Hub to the Head of Operational Support.
- Account Reconciliation
- Conduct intercompany control account reconciliations across multiple country offices, focusing on account codes 1560 and 1561, to ensure accuracy and timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Monitoring of Regional Hub Running Costs
- Monitor and report on the running costs of the Regional Hub.
- Coordinate with the Administration and Logistics units to ensure timely payment of utilities and other operational expenses.
- Monthly Reconciliations
- Perform monthly reconciliations of Regional Hub accounts.
- Ensure timely submission of Bank Reconciliation Statements (BRS) in accordance with NRC’s financial policies.
- Cash Management
- Conduct weekly cash counts together with the Finance Officer to maintain integrity and accountability of cash balances.
- Support to Hosted Entities
- Provide budgeting, financial monitoring, and reporting support to hosted entities within the ESA Regional Hub.
- Calculate and record hosting fees for these entities in compliance with agreed arrangements.
- Payroll and Salary Administration
- Post monthly salary entries for both international and national staff into the financial system.
- Process and disburse payroll for national staff in line with organisational policies and statutory requirements.
- Ensure provision of severance payments for national staff where applicable.
- Budget Zeroing
- Ensure monthly zeroing of the ESA Regional Hub budget to maintain financial accuracy and avoid carry-over of unspent funds.
- Fund Requests and Project Summaries
- Prepare project summaries that support timely and accurate requests for funds from NRC headquarters and donors.
- Induction and Training
- Conduct finance induction sessions for new staff joining the Regional Office.
- Provide training on NRC’s financial systems, reporting requirements, and compliance standards.
- Audit Support
- Support both internal and external audits by providing requested documentation and responding to audit queries promptly.
- Compile and submit the Regional Office transaction checklist on a monthly basis.
- Reporting and Communication with Head Office
- Submit weekly exchange rate reports to NRC headquarters to support financial planning and reporting accuracy.
- Project Control Budget Monitoring
- Monitor and ensure that the Project Control Budget (K1FX0001) maintains a NIL balance at the end of each month, avoiding variances or unaccounted balances.
Qualifications
For this position, the organisation has outlined the following qualifications, skills, and experiences as necessary for effective performance.
Generic Professional Competencies
- Proven experience in financial management within humanitarian or recovery contexts.
- Demonstrated track record in delivering results aligned with financial management responsibilities.
- Awareness of leadership style with the ability to adapt to different team dynamics.
- Strong command of English, both written and spoken.
Context-Specific Competencies
- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- Professional certification in accounting, such as CPA or ACCA, is considered highly desirable.
- At least five years of experience in financial roles within the humanitarian or development sector.
- Strong proficiency in financial reporting systems and tools.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to team outcomes.
- Advanced skills in computer-based financial analysis and reporting.
- High cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments.
- Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Safeguarding Commitment
NRC places safeguarding at the core of its operations. Employees are expected to:
- Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
- Contribute to building a safe environment for all.
- Refrain from any form of exploitation, harassment, or abuse, including sexual exploitation and harassment (SEAH).
- Report any concerns or incidents in line with NRC’s safeguarding protocols.
NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction on safeguarding and expects full compliance from all staff members.
Application Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this position. Please note that shortlisting will be carried out on a rolling basis, meaning applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applicants are advised to submit their applications early to avoid missing the deadline.
Job Identification: 18898
Job Category: Finance
Posting Date: 18 August 2025
Application Deadline: 29 August 2025, 17:00 (EAT)
Job Schedule: Full-time
Location: Nairobi, Regional Office
