The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Sudan is facing one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in the world today and has remained at the top of IRC’s watchlist for two consecutive years. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has spiraled into relentless violence, institutional collapse, and mass displacement. Despite multiple ceasefire announcements, violence has continued for nearly two and a half years, displacing over 12 million people across all 18 states.
The crisis has devastated health services nationwide with over 70% of health facilities are non-functional or overwhelmed, and 30.4 million people now require humanitarian assistance. Around 25 million people face acute food insecurity, including 770,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Damage to health infrastructure, supply shortages, and restricted humanitarian access continue to severely hinder the response.
In response to increasing needs, the IRC has scaled up its humanitarian efforts despite immense challenges. We are supporting Sudanese communities, both within the country and across national borders and now seeking a Finance Director to help support the Country Director in leading this operation.
Summary Statetement of Responsibilities:
As a member of the Country Program Management Team (MT), the Finance Director provides financial leadership and management necessary to ensure that the country program has the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems in place to support the strategic vision and mission of the organization. S/he will contribute to the development of the country programs strategic and operational plans and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against the financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review. The Finance Director is responsible for the overall policy and management for the financial and accounting management of the Country Program. Emphasis will be placed on financial management policies, practices and systems that are compliant with local laws and US as well as adhering to donor requirements but are also conducive to effective implementation of country programs.
As Finance Director, s/he will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in the country program, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Management team (MT) and Country Director, Regional staff as well as conforming to IRCs financial control environment and Chief Finance Officer (CFO) standards and objectives. Based in Port Sudan the Finance Director will have dual reporting to the Country Director and the East Africa Regional Finance Director.
Specific Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Analysis
• Provide financial insights to support the Country Director (CD) and Management Team (MT) in line with IRC, regional, and country strategies.
• Lead the development and management of the annual operating budget, ensuring alignment with priorities, sustainability, and strategic objectives.
• Monitor and update budgets to reflect funding shifts, cost structures, and operational realities, enabling agile decision-making.
• Ensure comprehensive cost coverage and optimal resource allocation to maximize program impact.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on forecasting, risk management, and strategic planning.
• Deliver high-level budgetary analysis and reporting to inform evidence-based decisions and build donor confidence.
Controllership
• Ensure compliance with IRC, donor, and local financial policies and regulations.
• Establish and maintain in-country finance procedures and internal controls.
• Oversee timely financial reporting, donor reports, and monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Advise the CD on financial performance, risks, and internal control issues.
• Safeguard assets (cash, inventory, fixed assets) through strict adherence to controls.
• Serve as principal liaison with HQ on finance, accounting, grants, and cash management.
Treasury
• Oversee bank relations, account management, and cash flow forecasting.
• Ensure accurate, timely bank and cash reconciliations.
• Maintain adequate cash balances to meet operational needs while minimizing currency exposure.
• Supervise collection of receivables and ensure efficient cash utilization
Budget/Forecast
• Oversees the preparation and revision of grant proposal budgets; supports programs with guidance on costing and inputs in creating budgets for submission
• Prepares and maintains the country’s annual operating budget; and updates the operating budget regularly
• Presents and facilitates the review of actual to budget expenditures with the Country Director and program managers
Integra ERP implementation support
• Regular Review and update of security role mapping for integra users within the Country Office.
• Identifying adoption barriers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize user experience and system performance.
• Deliver tailored onboarding, troubleshooting guidance, and continuous feedback loops to enhance system utilization and performance
Audit & Risk Management
• Focal person/Lead for both Internal and external audits
• Maintain and enhance financial policies and procedures.
• Maintain a comprehensive risk matrix and register to identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies to safeguard organizational assets and ensure compliance.
• Facilitates external, internal, donor or government audits
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
• Establish and maintain a clear structure for finance roles, responsibilities, and job descriptions.
• Recruit, supervise, and develop qualified finance staff, ensuring strong technical and management capacity.
• Provide coaching, training, mentoring, and regular performance reviews, with career development plans in place.
• Promote team spirit, staff wellbeing, and professional growth, including succession planning and national staff capacity building.
• Oversee finance training and technical support for non-finance staff to strengthen skills in accounting, reporting, and control
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or Business Administration (CPA or Master’s preferred).
• 8–10 years of senior finance management experience, including at least 5 years in humanitarian or conflict-affected settings.
• Strong technical expertise with computerized accounting systems (e.g., SUN System, Integra), spreadsheets, and databases.
• Proven ability to lead in complex environments, set priorities, and manage competing demands under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English (Arabic desirable).
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural collaboration skills; committed to staff development and capacity building.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, integrity, discretion, and ability to provide effective solutions in challenging contexts.
Key Competencies
• Alignment with IRC’s mission, values, and professional code of conduct.
• Skilled in training, facilitation, and staff development.
• Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Collaborative, resourceful, and able to build effective relationships with senior leadership and partners.
• Demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning
Key Working Relationships:
• Position Reports to: Sudan Country Director and EA Regional Finance Director
• Position directly supervises: TBC
• Key Internal Contacts:
o Country Program: MT, and members across different departments such as P & C Programs, Operations, Safety and Security, etc.
o Regional Finance Director and Regional Management Team members
o CRRD Finance Leadership &
o HQ: Global Finance Team
The work environment:
The Finance Director will be based in Port Sudan temporarily, in Sudan, and will travel throughout the country to field program locations (20%). All Sudan locations are security phase 4 (RED) so the Finance Director will be expected to respect the various security protocols in place in country. Phase 4 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called for. The candidate must be prepared to work in insecure environments. This is an unaccompanied position.
Housing: Individual housing unaccompanied. All IRC sites have electricity and internet although some interruptions can be experienced. Food is the individual’s responsibility.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.