Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a global ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people.

Founded in November 1980, JRS is now present in more than 50 countries. Its operations are currently structured across three levels: locally through project and country offices, regionally through regional offices, and globally through the International Office.

In response to a rapidly changing humanitarian context and significantly reduced funding, JRS is reshaping how it operates in a new and less favourable environment for migration and international solidarity.

Local operations, organised in functional and sustainable Country Offices, remain at the heart of JRS’s work. They ensure needs-based interventions and accompaniment rooted in close engagement with forcibly displaced migrants and refugees.

At global level, support is organised through global functions that bring together the essential processes, systems and expertise needed for JRS to operate effectively as one organisation. These include resource mobilisation, sound operations, and mission-driven programmatic support.

These activities are delivered through a Virtual Global Office (VGO), in which staff based in different locations work as part of globally coordinated teams with shared priorities, clear mandates and common operational focus.

The VGO is structured around five global functions:

• Global Management of Operations
• Global Resource Mobilisation
• Global Mission-Oriented Transformation
• Global Strategic Leadership
• Global Management Support

Global Function Area

The objective of the Global Management of Operations (GMO) function is to ensure that JRS operations remain effective, aligned with the JRS Mission and Global Strategic Framework, and accountable to JRS governance bodies.

GMO supports the development of country office operational plans and budgets, consolidates and analyses them at global level, and helps identify and address risks and opportunities across operational, financial, legal, safeguarding, reputational and other relevant areas.

It also contributes to operational improvement, organisational development and capacity-strengthening initiatives across the organisation.

In cases of management emergency, GMO may intervene directly in operations to support risk mitigation and the return to standard management arrangements.

It is a multifunctional area drawing on expertise from staff with backgrounds in programmes, operations, finance, human resources, security, IT and organisational development.

Role Description

The Finance & Risk Management Officer supports the integrity, consistency and continuous improvement of financial and operational practices across JRS operations.

The role focuses on strengthening systems, processes and capacities in procurement, financial management and grants management, ensuring that organisational standards are effectively applied in diverse contexts, with particular emphasis on the use of the ERP system to ensure compliance and reliability.

The position combines operational assessments, follow-up on priority actions, capacity-strengthening or internal review missions, and support to organisation-wide improvement initiatives, with priorities set through the operations management cycle and leadership direction.

Frequent travel to other JRS offices is expected.

The Finance Officer reports to the Global Lead for Management of Operations – Finance & Risk Management or to a delegated person within the Global Management of Operations process.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strengthening Operational and Financial Standards

• Assess the effectiveness of the internal control environment and related processes at Country level.
• Support the implementation of organisational standards in procurement, financial management and grants management.
• Review contextualised policies and procedures to ensure alignment with global frameworks and international standards.
• Evaluate implementation of procedures through Business Central and the Information Management System (IMS).
• Contribute to continuous improvement of policies, systems and workflows based on field insights and operational feedback.
• Validate the quality, consistency and traceability of financial data and workflows within the system.
• Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen practices and mitigate key risks.
• Conduct periodic field missions to country offices.
• Promote a culture of accountability, sound financial management and risk awareness.

2. Risk Mitigation Follow-up

• Support country and regional teams in addressing gaps and recommendations identified by Leadership.
• Monitor follow-up of priority actions from internal management reviews and audits.
• Identify recurring challenges and systemic issues to inform organisational improvements.

3. Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with the FP&A function to ensure reliable financial and operational data.
• Work with the Finance Officer (Systems & Accounting) to strengthen internal controls.
• Support the transition to Dynamics Business Central, including data cleaning, validation and migration.
• Strengthen the capacity of finance staff and Country Directors in risk management approaches.

4. Flexibility & Organisational Support

• Adapt activities in line with evolving risks, priorities and annual workplans.
• Provide support and conduct reviews in priority operational contexts.
• Contribute to ad hoc reviews, support missions and organisational initiatives.

The Finance Officer is expected to maintain a high degree of flexibility, contributing to priority initiatives and temporary organisational needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in accounting, finance, business administration, project management or related fields.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in accounting or finance-related roles.
• Experience in international non-profit organisations is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of procurement, grants management, accounting, budgeting, forecasting and donor compliance.
• Field-based experience is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Navision or Business Central is highly desirable.
• Excellent command of Excel and database applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Spanish strongly recommended.
• Professional working knowledge of French is considered an asset.

Travel

• Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments.

Core Values and Ethics

• Alignment with the values and mission of JRS.
• Commitment to accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality.

Terms and Conditions

This position is open only to candidates who possess EU citizenship or another legal authorisation to work in the European Union.

Successful candidates will receive a regular Italian contract.

The gross annual salary starts at EUR 35,000 and will be adjusted according to experience and qualifications.

Workplace: Rome

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to submit:

• A cover letter explaining motivation and suitability for the position.
• A CV in English including two professional references with phone number and email address.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS.

JRS International Office is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.