Finance Controller at IMS

Do you have a flair for Finance and Compliance and would you like to work in a diverse international organization supporting quality journalism and media freedom?

Who we are?

IMS (International Media Support) supports local independent media and media advocacy groups in countries affected by conflict, political transition and authoritarian rule. Established in 2001, the organisation has since worked with hundreds of local and international partners to support independent journalism, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

IMS’ goal is to have public interest media that is relevant to and reaches audiences of all groups of society, so that they can discuss, share and act on this content, and to have media and civic groups and organisations – especially women’s and minority organisations – collaborate to bring about this change. In addition, IMS supports the development of inclusive workspaces, free from discrimination and harassment, through inclusive and transformative policies and mechanisms.

Job summary

The overall responsibilities of the Finance Controller are to:

• Provide Finance and Compliance oversight of IMS’ designated programmes and related donor agreements
• Contribute to the development and streamlining of financial system and procedures
• Contribute to the development of Finance and Compliance capacities in the designated programme teams

Key functions and key responsibilities
    
Risk management and Internal Controls

• Ensure that a rigorous internal financial control environment is maintained for your portfolio of grants/programmes
• Ensure that Grants and Programmes budgets within your portfolio are timely maintained at the ERP system.
• Ensure that all spending is within the approved budget and that no cases of expenses above budget occur at the programme/grant level.
• Ensure that all spending is valid and complies with the IMS/donors policies and procedures.
• Support the implementation of finance policies, processes, and procedures.
• Support the implementation of audit recommendations. Reviewing all draft audit reports and taking necessary action, following up on completion, issues raised and implementation of recommendations.
• Ensure that a financial risk assessment is conducted for partners involved in your portfolio assuring the implementation of funds management capacity assessment tool. And, ensuring that the adequate control framework is assigned to every partner contract under your portfolio.
• To perform Quality Assurance field visits or QA remote financial monitoring of partners under your portfolio.
  
  Financial management and Controllership
• Manage the day-to-day processing of transactions in accordance with established procedures of your portfolio, including reconciliation of all designated bank accounts. 
• Interpretation and clarification of policies and procedures and other support to accounting, and project management staff relating to financial matters of your portfolio.
• Ensure an accurate calculation of programme support costs and indirect/admin costs of every grant of your portfolio.
• Reviewing the budget proposals to donors to ensure that financial matters are adequately addressed.
• Financial oversight of assigned country offices, including Quality Assurance visits and training of local staff under your portfolio.
• To ensure financial monitoring and sampling checks of partner contracts under your portfolio according to the control framework assigned to them. Carry out compliance checks of  partners’ financial accounts and external audited reports.
• Ensure programmes/grants are financially managed in compliance with IMS procedures for financial management and administration including monitoring, budgeting, accounting, reporting, and communication.
• Responsible for handling fraud and corruption cases under your portfolio under the supervision of the Compliance Manager. 
• Focal point for queries on financial rules and regulations. Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with the programme team regarding relevant financial matters.
• Monitor financial key performance financial indicators under your portfolio.
  
  Financial Reporting and Auditing
• Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting of programme/grants under your portfolio for programme team and/or senior management according to deadlines.
• Prepare and ensure quality and timely reporting to donors in compliance with IMS and donors’ specific requirements.
• Responsible for preparing the accounts and control documentation for the Institutional and Grant external audits.
   
• Backup for other finance staff, during absences etc.  
• Other ad hoc financial tasks as assigned.   

 Qualifications

• Relevant university degree or extensive professional qualification/experience in finance, accounting, or auditing is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-profit finance or accounting role will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a financial management setting is required.
• Highly developed analytical skills and solution-oriented mindset is a must.
• Experience with and ability to use manual accounting and ERP systems is required.
• Experience in International Development is preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Nordic donors (Danida, Sida, Norway, etc) and EU will be an advantage
• Extensive experience of budget preparations and financial reporting.
• Business level in English is a requirement.

Duration and location

• Expected length of employment: open-ended
• Salary will be commensurate with experience and IMS policies.
• Place of employment: Copenhagen, IMS HQ Office
• Employment type: Full-time
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• You will report to the IMS Compliance Manager

How to apply

You apply by submitting your resume and application in English through the link below/to the right no later than 2nd of June 2024.

Interviews will be done on a rolling basis.

Please direct questions about the position to Compliance Manager, Patricia Escudero Renedo: [email protected]

Who can apply

IMS encourages everyone with the required qualifications and skills to apply, regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural background, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Code of conduct

IMS shows no tolerance to any kind of unwanted behaviour at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. Therefore, all employments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.