Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

IRI is the premier international democracy-development organization. Our nonpartisan, nongovernmental Institute has performed high-impact work in more than 100 countries since 1983-in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa-and currently has offices in 40 countries worldwide.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Regional Financial Specialist will provide support to Field Accountants in IRI field offices; reviewing payments, expenses, and documents in addition to providing training on IRI’s policies and procedures.

This is a temporary position anticipated to start on June 1, 2026, and end on December 31, 2026.

Please note that at this time, we are only able to consider candidates who are eligible to work within Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, or Ecuador. Applications from individuals without a work authorization for one of these countries will not be considered for this position.

Responsibilities or duties

Review expenses submitted by the field offices in assigned portfolio for reasonableness and compliance with GAAP, funder, and IRI regulations.

Provide IRI process support, including training of Field Accountants on employee setup, AP bills, entries and approvals, expense reports and program reports.

Support Program Accountants in award management.

Serve as POC for resources outlining local regulations of the countries in assigned portfolio.

Serve as POC for compliance with local regulations, registration and operations (e.g. bank, taxes, VAT, local government reporting, payment conditions and currency restrictions); employment regulations, benefits (time off, severance), salary and tax calculations (from gross to net), employment termination conditions; understanding of taxable and non-taxable benefits (e.g. per diem); withholding tax for contractual services.

Train Field Accountants and explains IRI accounting processes of monthly reporting to DC, rolling budgets, exchange rate calculations, imprest summary forms, filing system, bank, and cash operations.

Conduct financial review of field offices in the assigned portfolio.

Advise on opening and closing of field offices.

Assist Field Accountants and country management team in the local audit and funder reviews of the field offices.

Remain in constant communication with assigned field offices.

Provide updates to the Field Accountants and local employees on changes in IRI policies and accounting procedures.

Communicate with DC Finance team and provide constant updates on any issues, questions, or concerns in the Field Offices.

Provide temporary support to other Field Offices when another Regional Financial Specialist is on leave.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Bachelors or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

Professional experience with expense report review and regulation compliance.

Experience training staff on financial processes and reporting.

Flexibility to assume a workload that frequently necessitates an adjustment of priorities.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to multi-task, and ability to work under time pressures.

Strong attention and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.

Experience needed

Minimum 7 years relevant experience in a finance role.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

International non-governmental organization experience preferred.

Note:

This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process.

• Review expenses submitted by the field offices in assigned portfolio for reasonableness and compliance with GAAP, funder, and IRI regulations.
• Provide IRI process support, including training of Field Accountants on employee setup, AP bills, entries and approvals, expense reports and program reports.
• Support Program Accountants in award management.
• Serve as POC for resources outlining local regulations of the countries in assigned portfolio.
• Serve as POC for compliance with local regulations, registration and operations (e.g. bank, taxes, VAT, local government reporting, payment conditions and currency restrictions); employment regulations, benefits (time off, severance), salary and tax calculations (from gross to net), employment termination conditions; understanding of taxable and non-taxable benefits (e.g. per diem); withholding tax for contractual services.
• Train Field Accountants and explains IRI accounting processes of monthly reporting to DC, rolling budgets, exchange rate calculations, imprest summary forms, filing system, bank, and cash operations.
• Conduct financial review of field offices in the assigned portfolio.
• Advise on opening and closing of field offices.
• Assist Field Accountants and country management team in the local audit and funder reviews of the field offices.
• Remain in constant communication with assigned field offices.
• Provide updates to the Field Accountants and local employees on changes in IRI policies and accounting procedures.
• Communicate with DC Finance team and provide constant updates on any issues, questions, or concerns in the Field Offices.
• Provide temporary support to other Field Offices when another Regional Financial Specialist is on leave.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Professional experience with expense report review and regulation compliance.
• Experience training staff on financial processes and reporting.
• Flexibility to assume a workload that frequently necessitates an adjustment of priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to multi-task, and ability to work under time pressures.
• Strong attention and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.

• Bachelors or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years relevant experience in a finance role.
• International non-governmental organization experience preferred.