At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management for humanitarian programmes, ensuring compliance and strategic insight.
- Company: Join the International Rescue Committee, a global leader in humanitarian aid.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by conflict and disaster.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong financial management skills and a passion for humanitarian work.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well‑being and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.
Founded in 1933, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non‑governmental organisations, operating in more than 40 countries and 29 U.
S. cities.
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, with its headquarters in New York.
The UK team raises the profile of the IRC, delivers policy and practice change, and increases funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic well‑being 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.
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.
The postholder drives high‑quality financial processes across the full programme cycle – from contract reviews and budget proposals 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 while exploring how AI tools can improve financial management.
- 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, 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, escalates and manages financial risks in collaboration with programme and senior management.
- 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 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 reports.
- 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).
- Strong understanding of charity finance, including detailed knowledge of financial management and reporting, desirably with experience of 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 work.
- Comfortable working independently with limited supervision 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.
UK‑based candidates who state that they have a disability and meet these criteria will be invited to interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
- Standard Responsibilities
- Promote and actively participate in initiatives 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: Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability.
This includes 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, embodying a culture of critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Narrowing the Gender Gap
The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions and offers a supportive environment, including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay, and gender‑sensitive security protocols.
Compensation
Pay Rate: £55,000 per annum, calibrated by work location, experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities Statement
IRC UK is an equal opportunities employer committed to non‑discrimination for all applicants and employees across gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status and disability.
IRC UK provides reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
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Finance Business Partner - UK RAI Programmes employer: International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. With a commitment to making a meaningful impact in humanitarian crises, employees benefit from comprehensive support, including competitive compensation, generous paid time off, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing. Joining IRC means being part of a global team dedicated to restoring dignity and hope to millions, while also providing opportunities for personal and professional development in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Contact Details:
International Rescue Committee Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner - UK RAI Programmes
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We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner - UK RAI Programmes
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