Position: Regional Finance Manager- Africa
About RI: Relief International (RI) is an
international relief and development agency with cross-sectoral programs
bridging relief and development.
Reports to: Regional Director and Technical
reporting to Global Finance Director
Position Summary: The Regional Finance Manager -
Africa is accountable as the regional finance focal point for country
offices in the region. S/he is responsible for supporting the capacity
building efforts of country office finance teams, providing oversight of
country offices, ensuring compliance with local laws, regulations, RI and
donor policies and procedures including quality and timely internal and
external reporting, consolidating and monitoring regional activities,
performing quality financial management analysis for decision support and
providing gap filling for key finance positions in country offices. S/he
will proactively work with the Global Finance Director and HQ management
on key issues and opportunities and find and implement solutions at the
country office level.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control:
- Perform
quality reviews and analysis of monthly, quarterly and annual financial
reports related to Country Offices assigned by the Global Finance
Director.
- Provide
ongoing supervision and feedback to Country Finance Managers to
improve effectiveness in financial management.
- Provide
leadership and manage the implementation of the unified accounting system
in UK, US and Africa
- Perform
comprehensive reviews of Country Office financial reports to include
performance analysis in the following areas: balance sheet, income
statement, cash, grants/contracts, unrestricted and general
contributions, actual expenses vs. budget, forecasting and
budgeting, adequacy of adherence to generally accepted accounting principles
and RI financial procedures.
- In
collaboration with the Country Finance Managers and the Global Finance
Director, identify and implement preventive and corrective actions to
address issues found during the reviews.
- Support
the Country Offices in cash management, budgeting and forecasting,
policies and procedures, responses to audit findings and trouble
shooting in finance and accounting
- Provide
assistance to Country Offices in the preparation of their operational and
donor budget and forecasting.
- Ensure
that payroll is properly handled and supported by properly filled
timesheets, contracts, vacation balance etc. with grant codes
identified.
- Provide
policy clarifications and assistance to the Country Offices in
understanding and complying with RI and donor policy and procedures
including awards and contracts.
- Provide
support to country offices to ensure that all financial records and backup
documentation are archived monthly on the server and readily
available for audits.
- Review
and finalise donor financial reports for submission
- Ensure
Country Offices provide all required financial data (monthly, quarterly
and annually) for review and consolidation and analysis, including
budgets and forecasting data.
- Produce
insightful management reports, including commentary both for regional and
global needs periodically.
- Oversee
Africa month end closing and manage the distribution of BVA’s to
programme department
- Manage
the day to day performance of the Africa Finance Manager and Finance
Officer, ensuring that they complete all necessary work to support
the above responsibilities to an appropriate standard, encouraging
their own personal development and dealing with any performance
issues as required and conducting staff annual performance
evaluation.
- Provide
support for UK statutory audit in preparing lead schedule of Debtors,
Creditors and Interagency reconciliation, grants receivables,
deferred income prepayment and accruals schedules and carrying out
other audit preparation responsibilities assigned by the
financial controller
- Ensures
Country Offices are in compliance with local government Tax Law and tax
reporting.
- Carry
out regular support visits to countries if required.
Human Resources and Development
- Assist
Country Offices with staffing issues and capacity building in accounting
and financial management.
- With
guidance from the Global Finance Director, perform periodic analysis in
capacity of finance staff in Country Offices in finance and
accounting and recommend appropriate actions to address any gap in
skills.
- Assess
Country Office staffs’ ability to perform satisfactorily in financial
management and to meet RI performance standards.
- Develop
training materials and quick reference guides where necessary and conduct
tailored training programs for Country Office finance staff in
coordination with management in HQ and the regional unit.
- Provide
orientation for new finance staff in country offices on RI policies.
- Ensure
all Country Offices have updated copies of the RI policy and procedures
and help Country Offices develop local policies and procedures that
are realistic and conform to general financial management principles.
Policy and Strategy Development
- Supportmanagement
at HQ in talent review and management initiatives to develop and
retain skilled country office finance staff.
- Support
HQ management to incorporate high and medium risk issues into RI’s global
risk register in quarterly Country Office financial reviews and
contribute in recommending mitigation mechanisms.
QUALIFICATIONS &REQUIREMENTS
This position demands a dynamic individual with a
demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding
and fast paced environment.
- Personal
qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to RI’s
mission; proactive, hands-on and confident communicator who will work
with finance colleagues across the global organisation.
- Bachelor’s
degree in accounting, business management or similar and advanced
university degree in Finance, Accounting or CPA / ACA / ACCA required
- A
minimum of 8years’ experience as finance supervisor / lead position and 5
years with international non–profit agencies. US and EC government
funded grants financial and administrative management experience
preferred;
- A
track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and
reporting of government, corporate and foundations grants.
- Excellent
financial and analytical skills
- Excellent
communication and drafting skills for effective reporting on program
financial performance;
- Ability
to manage a financial/monitoring team and demonstrate leadership;
- Ability
to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
- Familiarity
with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental
requirements;
- The
candidate must be detail-oriented and able to work independently;
- Experience
with Sage, Sun Systems and QuickBooks is a very strong preference
- Strong
interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively
communicating key data, including presentations.Fluency in English
required - ability to communicate in local languages a strong asset.
- Ability
to travel overseas occasionally as required.
