Based in Pakistan (Islamabad or Lahore) Pay Band 7 Starting salary: PKR 2,880,000/ annum

Transcription

1 Role Profile Job Description Job Title Job reference number Ref no: Financial Planning and Analysis Lead, Exams - Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal SA/B/33/1718 Region South Asia Department Finance Pay band, location and starting salary Based in Pakistan (Islamabad or Lahore) Pay Band 7 Starting salary: PKR 2,880,000/ annum Reports to Regional Head Financial Planning and Analysis, South Asia Duration of job Indefinite contract of employment Purpose of job: To support the Regional Head Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) in providing professional guidance in Financial Planning and Analysis, supporting regional Business Development Managers and providing assurance on the underlying business financial performance. The post holder will be in charge of analysing and interpreting long - and short - term financial and operational plans through management reporting, analysis and interpretation of financial trends, impact assessment in conjunction with the Regional Head in order to enable informed decisions. This post is a part of the FP&A team that is dispersed across the region. The role will support Exams operations in Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and will lead a team of three analysts, based in these locations. Context and environment: British Council The British Council is the UK s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. South Asia South Asia is a fast moving and turbulent region, with rapidly growing economies. The diversity and fragility of South Asia is one of its most striking features. With a population of over 1.7 billion people, 50% of them below the age of 30, we are seeking to increase our impact significantly. In order to do this, we have significant growth plans for all our programmes in English, Education and Society and the Arts. This also requires us to be innovative and transformational in our approach. The majority of our work is customer and client funded, which means we generate income to support our growth and impact. We have challenging business growth and partnership development plans to achieve this combined with a continual drive to be more efficient in our service delivery. It s essential we maintain a balance between growth in income and growth in impact and that this is understood internally and externally. The South Asia region has approx. 1,400 employees in 7 markets Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, 1 of 7

2 Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Functional Overview The Finance function is structured along functional lines with the aim of embedding the three lines of defence model at its heart, clearly separating the financial control (first line) and risk and assurance (second line) functions, ensuring the integrity of our results and the strength of our controls. This will allow the organisation to focus more easily on business decision making, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting on the basis of accurate monthly results. The Finance function works in a matrix environment with SBU experts advising the business on FP&A, whilst reporting lines are within the expertise (i.e. Reporting to the Regional Head FP&A). The regional team also plays an interface role joining countries with the UK on global initiatives. This is a critical advisory role where effectiveness is dependent on ability to influence. Personal confidence and credibility is required to ensure advice is seriously considered by senior members of the Regional team. Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties: Accountable for the analysis and interpretation of long-term financial and operational plans for the cluster exam operations through management reporting, analysis and interpretation of financial trends: Planning, forecasting and budgeting: Lead the planning process for the exams cluster, challenging submissions and identifying synergies and ensuring delivery to deadlines. Provide clear summaries of planning / forecasting, for whole of exams cluster. Support planning and rolling re-forecasting processes as requested by Regional Head FP&A to ensure that information obtained from these processes is reliable. Support the Regional Head FP&A in developing reporting procedures and templates for regional and local use. Reconciliation and review of SAP plans before system closure. Financial analysis: Analyses growth trends, product trends and KPIs and support the Regional Head FP&A in making recommendations to maximise opportunities and manage risks to ensure targets are met. Management Reporting: Manage cluster management reporting consolidation for countries, E&E regional leads, and Executive Board. Liaise with business leads and Regional Head FP&A for any variances between business planning and operational planning figures and provide explanations / commentary. Review and report on marketing, customer services and operational spend against budgets and prior years. Business Performance Management: Review financial performance with the business leads and make recommendations for action to address issues identified at Country or Regional levels. Monitor cost allocation accuracy. Deliver outputs within corporate and regional timelines as requested by Regional Head FP&A. Support the business in relation to Master Data set up (WBS, Profit Centres, Cost Centres). Team Leadership and Management: 2 of 7

3 Demonstrate effective leadership of the regional Financial Planning and Analysis team and ensure that line management of staff is to British Council standards. Coach and support individuals and teams. Ensure that capability and capacity in the FP&A team is fit-for-purpose and able to respond flexibly to changes in the portfolio and operating context. Ensure financial training for members of the FP&A team. Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council s EDI policy at all times. Key relationships: Regional Directors Country Directors Cluster Leads SBU Leads Corporate Planning Team Corporate Finance Other important features or requirements of the job The post holder may occasionally be required to travel across the region, to the UK and to in India. Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. Please indicate if any security or legal checks are required for this role. Ability to work in the country the position is based in. Background checks applicable to all staff. 3 of 7

4 Person Specification Essential Desirable Assessment stage Behaviours Being Accountable (MORE DEMANDING): Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own. Making it Happen (MORE DEMANDING): Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results. Interview The position holder will be required to demonstrate all six behaviours, on the job. These will be assessed during year end performance evaluations. Shaping The Future (MORE DEMANDING): Exploring ways in which we can add more value. Working Together (MORE DEMANDING): Ensuring that others benefit as well as me Connecting with Others (MORE DEMANDING): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and other. Creating Shared Purpose (MORE): Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage Skills and Knowledge Analysing Data and Problems Level 3: Analyses patterns Seeks out and examines a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex problems. Communicating and Influencing Level 3: Is creative and adaptable in communications Able to use a range of nonstandard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging. Short listing and Interview Managing risks Level 3: Develops the culture 4 of 7

5 Has track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices. Planning and Organising Level 3: Develops annual plans Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands. Managing People Level 3: Manages a team Provides full line management to a team where all members are working in a similar area of expertise or business. Scope includes planning, setting objectives, role modelling an inclusive culture, recruitment, development and performance management. Business Performance Management (including investment appraisal) Level 2: Interpret management information and link to business unit strategy and operational performance. Participate in appraisals that effectively monitor and improve business performance. Financial Analysis Level 2: Provide analysis to support decision-making, identifying key value drivers, benefits, sensitivities, and risks and implications for accounting. Management Reporting Level 2: Interpret management information reports, identify key causes of variances and evaluate risks and opportunities. Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting Level 2: Analyse consolidated 5 of 7

6 plans to facilitate effective management reviews and decision making. Advise on master data attributes that deliver meaningful information. Business Partnering Level 2: Partner with the business to provide sound advice based on transparent, meaningful and comprehensive management information to inform, influence and achieve positive business outcomes. Reporting, planning & forecasting within a complex multi-site environment. Ability to explain complex financial data to non-finance people, using non-technical language. Advanced excel skills including pivot tables. ERP systems experience (transaction level and reporting). Fluency in written and spoken English Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of an agreed English language certificate, or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency. Experience Minimum 2 years of experience in Operational financial management and or management accounting. Experience working with SAP. Short listing and/or Interview Delivery of results within a complex international structure and reporting to tight deadlines. Working in virtual teams. 6 of 7

7 Qualifications Degree level education. Part qualified with a recognised accounting body. Fully qualified with a recognised professional accounting body. Short listing Submitted by M. Junaid Date February of 7