Country Director with dotted report line to Regional Finance Manager

Transcription

1 Job pack: Head of Finance Country Nigeria Employer VSO Nigeria Report Country Director with dotted report line to Regional Finance Manager Job purpose The job holder is expected to Support the Country Director in managing the Country Office finances. He/she will be required to ensure the financial and legal integrity of VSON is within the framework of the policies and procedures established by VSO and the requirements of the local and international law. The post involves a full range of financial control and management activities. Contents: Job Description...2 Background and contextual information.5 Page 1

2 1. Job Description Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge Working together Adds Value Essential: Be the lead reference point on all The Country Director has Proactively enables and financial matters in the Country Office, confidence in the encourages teamwork in others including formulating financial strategic financial management Communicating and Influencing direction and supporting the Country system and can rely on Adds Value Proactively builds Director to assess implications of information provided to constructive relationships through financial issues in the short and long term. make meaningful strategic decisions for the clear communication and generates effective discussion and Country Office. mutual support for plans and ideas Page 2 Contribute to the development of the strategic plan for the Country Office and develop and maintain appropriate and effective financial strategies, plans and policies to support the strategic plan. Provide solid leadership and oversight of the team guiding them through the department s operational work plan, ensuring important deadlines are met, with proper resource planning and regular 1:1 meetings - keeping abreast with all department activities. Ensure internal control environment is robust enough to deter or detect any fraudulent attempts/occurrences and suggest any further control mechanisms to bridge any gaps. Ensure the global finance policies have been adopted locally and made context-relevant. Design a mechanism for ensuring all staff acquire knowledge The Country office strategic plan is supported by solid and appropriate financial strategies, plans and policies. Finance department operational work plan is in place and all finance staff are clear of their roles and responsibilities, and there s efficient planning of resources to meet CO needs at all times. Internal controls are in place, in line with global financial management policies and procedures. In particular; appropriate and relevant signatory limits are set and Managing Knowledge Adds Value Proactively seeks out new knowledge sources (people and data); uses and shares knowledge effectively; shares learning identified through research, MEL activities and suggests programmatic improvements based on generated evidence Striving For Excellence Aware Wants to learn and improve; responds to feedback and strives to meet objectives set by others Managing Resources Aware Spends VSO s money responsibly; organizes own work to meet objectives on time and is aware of team workloads Developing People Aware Gives constructive feedback that helps others identify and meet development needs. Leading for the future- Aware Is enthusiastic about VSO s work, lives Technical Accounting Expertise - Fully Qualified Management Accountant (CMA), ACCA, ACA or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license with strong technical accounting skills. Skilled finance Head with knowledge of financial management of restricted donor funding, reporting, procurement procedure, grant management, grant equipment and donor rules and regulations for non-profit organisations. Seven (7) years relevant working experience and minimum of 4 years in a leadership role. Experience in working multiple foreign currencies and understanding of foreign exchange hedging. Strong leadership experience in budget

3 of these policies and procedures and maintained within the VSO s values and is open to new ensure compliance by all Country Office. ideas. Page 3 Play a leading role in ensuring effective Grant management including handling partnerships at all levels. Audits Take a lead on all audits (internal, external or donor project specific) conducted at the country office; ensuring all required information is provided on a timely basis and that documentation provided is good quality. Lead a robust annual planning process that involves all stakeholders, ensuring that budgets are phased appropriately and effectively monitored on a quarterly basis. Produce high-quality monthly management reports for Programme staff and SMT, proactively advising on any variances. Ensure effective development and review of proposal budgets, bearing in mind cost recovery of staff costs, office costs, regional costs and overheads at agreed rates. Support capacity building for the finance staff to ensure they grow and develop in all financial management areas, especially reporting both Global financial management policies, procedures, and fund requirements are strictly applied and compliant with local laws. Manuals with procedures are up to date and changes communicated to all. Grant files in order, Donor compliance specifics known and adhered to by all staff, reporting calendar is up and running, Donor reporting deadlines are met and there s timely invoicing plus follow up of income due to VSO on a timely basis. Audit requirements are met. Results of evaluations/audits, issues arising, etc are shared with CD and respective team members for learning and implementation of recommendations undertaken within Thinking Strategically Aware Understands the context of own role; considers the impact of own work on that of others. Delivering results Adds Value Analyses objectives, considers options, plans and manages appropriately; holds self and team accountable for achieving goals management (including project budgets), financial planning and analysis. Strong knowledge of internal financial controls and year-end procedure. Knowledge of Internal, External and Project Audit. Strong attention to detail. Understanding of international accounting standards. Line Management experience, with ability to develop, coach and motivate a high performing team. Communication and Influencing Skills - Strong written and verbal communication skills - able to listen, analyse, present, consult, negotiate with confidence and obtain stakeholder engagement. Able to communicate complex financial information effectively to wide range of

4 internally and externally. Keep the nonfinance staff updated mainly on Grant management and Donor Compliance specifics (as per Grant management guidelines) appropriate timeframe. Page 4 As part of the Global Finance team, be prepared to engage with other team members and positively contribute to various initiatives for continuous improvement of financial systems, policies, and processes. Lead and guide the Finance team in ensuring assessment of partners financial management ability and support in building their capacity to appropriate develop internal control systems. Develop and implement procedures for assessing the value for money that VSO obtains in all its activities to identify cost savings and ensure financial efficiency and value for money principles are an integral part of the Country Programme activities. Provide leadership in monitoring and reporting on financial risks; supporting and influencing senior management team to monitor all operational financial risks. Maintain up to date knowledge of Annual budgets and reforecasts are produced in line with global timetable and formats. Budgets are monitored monthly and actions taken to address variances within overall budget limits. Variances on restricted funding are discussed and agreed with the donor in line with agreed contract conditions. Proposal budgeting effectively done, with prices reflective of CO market conditions, PTC prepared at expected standard and well translated onto donor format. Finance staff feel supported and can demonstrate growth in several areas of financial management. Both Finance and Programme staff are clear of expectations from each audiences. Experience of remote and cross-cultural communication, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural and language differences. Financial Business Partnering - Service oriented, customer focused approach. Experience of working in and understanding a global organisation, using knowledge to analyse and interpret financial information to support management. Risk Management - Experience of identifying and analysing financial risks. Decision Making and planning Capacity for inquiry, research, logical and analytical thinking, powers of reasoning and critical analysis. Able to demonstrate sound judgement and a solution-focused approach, solving unstructured issues in unfamiliar settings. Able to consider

5 financial legislation and good practice to ensure that the Country Programme complies with all legal requirements and proactively stays at the forefront of financial management practice. party at each stage of the grant management process. Agile and dedicated team member, adding value to the overall VSO finance function. Partners/Sub-grantee financial management capacity is built, there s a timetable for all to report on time, they are all aware of their respective donor compliance specifics and Partner advance accounts are reconciled every month. Value for money tracked and reported. Cost savings identified and VFM principles are evident in all budgeting & expenditure for the CO. implications of professional value, ethics and attitudes to decision making. Able to plan, juggle complex multiple priorities within restricted resources. Ability to manage competing deadlines. Financial and Information Technology Systems Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel particularly. Use of accounting software and reporting packages, including SUN. Commitment to VSO s work and values. Design risk assessment tests to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the systems in place as well as compliance to laid procedures and prepare Page 5

6 listing of findings and risk/implications, recommendations as well as management responses. Regular Compliance reviews conducted and good practice emphasised to the team at all times. Page 6

7 2. Background and contextual information VSO has been working in Nigeria since VSO Nigeria currently has Secure Livelihoods, Education and Youth programmes as its main programme. The overall goal of the VSO Nigeria country strategy is to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of youth in Nigeria. Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website. Page 7