Program Background 

Climate Resilient Communities

Action on climate change is at the heart of Australia’s International Development Policy. The policy commits the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to respond to the needs of Indo-Pacific countries and evidence of the accelerating climate crisis by increasing our climate investments and better addressing climate risks.

Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) is DFAT’s new flagship climate change program designed to help achieve Australia’s International Development Policy and meet Australia’s climate finance commitments over the next nine years (2024–33).

CRC will incentivise the flow of funds towards inclusive climate change programming—targeting community resilience in the water, food, and energy sectors— by co-funding bilateral and regional programs and attracting new sources of climate finance, while also raising the quality of climate integration across the sectoral programs.

Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit

DT Global has been contracted by DFAT to establish and manage the Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit (CRCSU). The CRCSU provides a mechanism for DFAT Canberra and Posts to deliver enhanced climate and disaster resilience and integration programming, with the aim of enabling people in the Indo-Pacific to become more resilient to climate change and disasters.

The CRCSU will help achieve this through supporting a sustained increase in organisational capability and services for DFAT, providing access to specialist expertise, resources, and networks, through an efficient operational platform. The CRCSU provides this through the following core services:

• Program cycle support
• Climate change integration technical assistance across all development sectors (integrating gender equality, disability equity and other cross-cutting issues), including embedded personnel within DFAT
• Knowledge and learning support
• Public diplomacy support

About the Role

The Finance Manager works within the CRCSU’s Operations Unit is responsible for the budget and finance management of the CRCSU’s operations and support services provided to DFAT. The Finance Manager works closely with a range of CRCSU stakeholders, including CRCSU Business Units, DFAT’s Investment Managers, staff on activity budget management, and DT Global’s corporate Project Accountant to ensure monthly financial tasks, forecasting and reporting are accurate and complete, and to ensure the Life-Time Budget is accurate.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:

http://surl.li/gwtcqx

Roles & responsibilities

• Responsible for the CRCSU’s Financial Management Systems and all financial management tasks, including budget development; financial planning and forecasting; and cash-flow management.
• Lead the oversight of effective and efficient budget planning/forecasting, monitoring of expenditure against forecasts, payment and payroll processing, accounting, cashflow forecasting and management, petty cash management, acquittals and bank reconciliations, including coordination DT Global.
• Develop financial management systems and manuals (within the CRCSU Operations Manual), and train personnel in their use.
• Manage program expenditure of CRCSU’s activities according to DT Global’s requirements, including overseeing the Finance Officer to records all approvals and required documentation, enter data in MYOB and undertake monthly reconciliation of the Support Unit’s bank account.
• Provide day-to-day management of accounts payable and approvals to ensure that accounts are allocated correctly.
• Ensure CRCSU finances are managed in complete compliance with all relevant procedures, including audit requirements and full financial reporting.
• Deliver timely, relevant and high-quality monthly, quarterly and ad hoc financial reports for DFAT and DT Global.
• Oversight of the subcontracted deliverable approval process and invoicing requirements to ensure timely payments to subcontractors.
• Oversee financial risk and fraud mitigation processes, implement fraud compliance mechanisms and contribute to identification, reporting, and investigation of incidents as needed and provide training to CRCSU personnel. Escalate risk to the Operations Lead as appropriate.
• Work with DT Global’s Project Accountant to ensure monthly financial tasks and reporting are accurate and complete, and to ensure the Life-Time Budget is accurate.
• Provide inputs into CRCSU’s operational and progress reporting documents, to a high professional standard.
• Contribute to annual work planning processes and other mandatory reporting, ensuring accuracy of financial data.
• Contribute to incorporating CRCSU’s commitments on promoting and mainstreaming GEDSI in the delivery of all CRCSU advice, processes, decisions and activities.  
• Contribute to developing harmonious working relationships with DFAT, colleagues and key stakeholders, and assist to build the profile and reputation of CRCSU as a high performing support unit. 
• Other tasks and duties as required to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of the CRCSU.   

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in accounting or finance. Professional accounting certifications required.
• Demonstrated experience in a mid-career financial management position with budget management and reporting accountability and supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of financial systems and requirements, expenditure approvals and reporting, audit requirements and the minimisation of potential financial risks and fraud, ideally in a public or donor funded setting.
• Understanding of Commonwealth Procurement Rules, Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines, or equivalent, and demonstrated experience in applying them to achieve value-for-money outcomes.
• Skills in rapid analysis (including for due diligence of external organisations), as well as preparing accurate and responsive program financial reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills in a cross-cultural context, including working as part of a geographically dispersed team.
• High level of computing skills with experience in MYOB, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, PSEAH, prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies. 

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome your interest in joining the team. Apply by submitting your updated CV and tell us why you think you are the ideal candidate (no longer than 1 - 2 pages). 

Applications close at AEST midnight on the 12 August 2024.

About DT Global

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

  DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs.  We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.