Finance Officer (LATAM)

CONTEXT  

At the heart of the Operations Department in the Operational Centre of Brussels (OCB), the Cells are comprised of a multidisciplinary team of 7 people, including a Coordinator of Operations (CO), Deputy CO, Medical Officer, Human Resources Officer (HRO), Logistic Officer, Finance Officer, Supply Officer and a regional pharmacy advisor working remotely. Their role is to supervise and coordinate MSF activities in several countries. The Cells are the direct interface from HQ to international programmes. We are looking for a Finance Officer for Cell 5, based in Rio de Janeiro, managing the following countries: Haiti, Brazil, Venezuela and Dominican Republic.  

As Finance Officer, you play a key strategic role in managing all finance- and risk-related domains. Embedded within the Operations Department and working closely with the Finance Department, you act as the Cell financial focal point, fully involved in operational decision‑making and familiar with all projects under the Cell’s portfolio. 

As Finance Officer, you are responsible for the financial management of the programmes you oversee. This includes supporting, guiding, and coaching the Financial Coordinators (FinCos), ensuring the quality of management control, budgeting and forecasting, and risk resources management. You guarantee that financial analyses are accurate and aligned with MSF policies and processes. As a referent for FinCos, you promote optimal resource use and contribute to the organisation’s long‑term sustainability. 

The countries assigned to the Cell are indicative, as a re-shuffling of the portfolio within the operations department occurs on a regular basis.  

The Finance Officer reports both to the Coordinator of Operations (line manager) and to the Operational Finance Coordinator (functional manager). 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Operational Strategy and Support  

• Ensure the long-term sustainability of the finance and risk resources strategies applied in the programmes to complete the constraints related to the shorter-term assignment for the Finance Coordinators  

• Advise, support and challenge the Cell members and CO (Coordinator of Operations) in the management of the operational allocation of resources  

• Centralize and lead the programme budget process in close collaboration with Cell members, acting as the guarantor of consistency across yearly and multi‑year budgets 

• Collaborate actively in new project proposals, providing financial expertise throughout the process 

• Monitor closely the economic indicators of each country and their consequences, ensure that appropriate measures are taken, and oversee their implementation with the Finance Coordinator 

• Advise, challenge, and make final decisions on the analytical structure of the budget and accounting (cost center, budget line, activity, referent), ensuring it is tailored to the strategic orientation, the need operational reporting, and fits the programme’s financial capacity and maturity 

• Ensure the pertinence of the Finance team set-up of the programmes, designing it in line with the operational context, needs and objectives, and adapt the Finance team set-up according to the evolution of the context and the related risk assessment  

Internal/Quality Control, Standards and Compliance  

• Contribute actively to the development and upgrade of tools, finance standards, guidelines, and procedures as a key stakeholder 

• Ensure that the financial tools, processes and guidelines are relevant, appropriate and are managed according to the MSF OCB standard in the programmes 

• Ensure the Programme Finance Guideline is regularly updated and accurate to reflect local compliance requirements, regulation standards, and contextual realities in each programme 

• Guide and motivate the Finance Coordinators, and influence the programme and the Cell on risk resource‑management, and compliance analysis as well as on mitigation measures 

• Drive the implementation, analysis, and follow-up of the recommendations of the Internal Control Tool for Finance processes 

• Drive the implementation and follow up of internal, external, and national audit recommendations  

Resources Management  

• Cell portfolio management: 

• Oversee the budget management of the Cell’s portfolio 

• Manage the coherence of the multi-year budget with the project cycle and strategy  

• Manage the accuracy of the initial budget by leading the ARO-MYRO (Annual Review of Operations - Multi-Year Review of Operation) financial process to its final validation 

• Mentor the monthly forecast or quarterly monitoring meeting of projects and programmes by guiding and challenging the programmes in their calculation, projections and analyses 

• Ensure the validation process for budget and forecast decision is respected  

• Risk resources management of the Cell’s portfolio: 

• Adapt and implement the standard insurance guidelines to the national and legal context 

• Implement and regularly review the money security policy, ensuring it is adapted to the operational reality and programme constraints 

• Develop and maintain awareness of the anti-corruption policy and related reporting mechanisms, followed by appropriate measures to ensure compliance 

• Ensure the efficiency of the process of programmes provision for litigations and the quality of the information 

• Availability of funds in the mission to run the operations: 

• Design and implement in close collaboration with the Finance Coordinators, the finance strategy related means of payment (innovative solutions, online banking, phone banking, hawallah, cash providers, virtual credit cards, etc.)  

• Review and validates the monthly cash request for the Cell portfolio 

Stakeholders Coordination - Internal and External Communication and Representation 

• Guarantee efficient communication and a close, effective collaboration with the Programme Accounting Controller overseeing programme accounting support 

• Provide the needed information to the Funding Unit related to donor reporting 

• Ensure compliance with national fiscal legislation, in collaboration with the ILD (International Legal Department) and other relevant technical departments 

• Revise and influence programmes’ agreements involving other sections, procurement centers and international service providers 

• Stimulate, maintain, and develop the finance component of intersectional collaboration; promote and uphold mutualisation and harmonisation between sections; and lead the resolution of issues related to finance interoperability among OCs 

• Work in close collaboration with the partner section MSF Brazil (MSFBR), especially with its Finance Department, on accounting and taxrelated matters in Brazil, as the position is based in the country and the Cell supports operations locally 

People Management, Supervision and Development  

• Develop, collaborate on, and facilitate Finance trainings, webinars, and FinCo Weeks 

• Anticipate and build the vision for developing key finance staff in programmes, taking into account the national context 

• Coach, advise, and develop the competencies of the Financial Coordinators, and provide feedback in close collaboration with their line manager; steer the priority‑setting process in line with departmental strategy; monitor performance along the programme 

• Enable a conducive environment within the finance department to foster good team dynamics 

• Brief and debrief coordination members before and after their programme deployments 

Treasury Management for the Cell   

• Manage the Cell’s treasury, including the preparation and submission of the cash request through WeFin  

• Oversee the approval of payments, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness  

• Manage the Cell’s bank account(s), ensuring proper liquidity levels, reconciliation, and alignment with MSF financial standards and procedures  

Budgeting and Forecasting  

• Coordinate actively with the HQ Controlling team on budget and forecasting activities, addressing queries related to expense variances and incurred costs at Cell level 

• Serve as the primary contact for the HQ Controlling team on budget and forecast matters, regarding, ensuring timely and accurate responses to expense-related inquiries 

• Prepare the Cell’s annual budget in WeFin, in coordination with relevant stakeholders 

• Produce and update the Cell’s forecast, ensuring realistic planning and alignment with operational priorities 

• Monitor budget execution and provide financial analysis to ensure correct and compliant use of budget lines 

Accounting Follow Up  

• Monitor the Cell’s accounting, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and compliance with internal policies 

• Support and monitor the accurate booking of all expenditures against the appropriate budget lines 

• Ensure timely reporting and consolidation of financial information at the regional level 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education & Experience 

• University degree in management, business administration or finance (bachelor’s degree level) or equivalent professional experience 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in finance management is mandatory, with MSF or another similar International Humanitarian Organisation (INGO) 

• Minimum 1 year of International MSF experience in different contexts and interventions, at least one experience as a Financial Coordinator is mandatory  

Competencies 

• Capacity to learn and use advanced financial tools  

• Strong knowledge in risks resources and internal control management   

• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Power BI, MS Office package   

• Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian environment and operations  

• Analytical Thinking 

• Result‑oriented, with strong problem‑solving skills 

• Planning and organising, can work under stress and capacity to prioritize  

• Capacity to negotiate, with strong diplomacy and persuasive skills. 

• Effective in teamwork and collaboration, showing strong awareness of cross‑cultural dynamics 

• Flexibility and adaptability 

• Demonstrates creativity and innovation, with the capacity to take proactive initiatives 

Languages 

• Proficiency in English, both written & spoken is mandatory  

• Proficiency in at least two of the regional languages: French, Spanish, or Portuguese is mandatory 

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: June 2026 

• Location: based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   

• Contract type: Fixed-term contract – full-time   

• Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)   

• Mobility: travel a minimum of 30% per year to the programmes of the Cell’s portfolio and twice a year to HQ in Brussels 

• Salary according to MSF salary grid 

• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF Brazil function and salary grids    

• Family position according to the MSF policy 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust, and Empowerment 

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 14 April 2026 

How to apply?  

• Submit your application via the 'Apply here’ button    

• You will be directed to the online application form for this position   

• It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (in pdf format)  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.    

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