Regional Finance and Systems Manager

Job Reference no.: INT6616

Region: Southern Africa

Location: Pretoria

Division: International

Position Type: Fixed Term

Job Type: Experienced

Closing date for applications (UK Time): 13 November 2013

Job Profile

Vacancy Type:        Full-Time Fixed Term
Contract Type:        National B2                   
Duration:                2 years with possibility of extension for a 3rd year
Operating Base:    Pretoria, South Africa, with possibility of relocation to Zambia or another country within the Southern Africa Region in the 3rd year should an extension be awarded

Remuneration and Benefits

In addition to the competitive salary which will be a gross salary (national pay scale), you will receive such benefits as medical and pension or gratuity in lieu of pension. In addition, you may qualify for relocation assistance, immigration assistance and a market supplement depending on individual circumstances.

Please Note: This is an internal opportunity open to Oxfam GB employees only. Regrettably, applications from external candidates will not be considered.

Dimensions

• Management of significant projects, processes, advisory services, teams or budgets.
• Contributes to operating unit budget plans and proposals, providing advice on budget levels and required expenditure.
• Resolves complex unit problems and makes proposals for wider problems (e.g. region or affiliate).
• Works with information in a variety of often complex processes which may relate to issues across the organisation.
• Significant internal and external impact, particularly on income/expenditure and on the public reputation of Oxfam.
• The role is required to influence and negotiate with a wide range of people on a regular basis and/or build/manage significant relationships internally within OI and externally.
• Develops solutions to diverse and complex problems within affiliate and OI policy.
• Providing specialist advice to one or more members of line management, colleagues, possibly partners etc, on financial management.
• Objectives contribute to the financial and Information System strategies from Oxford and can involve collaboration with other departments and other regions.
• The role requires the ability to analyse and communicate complex and specific regional information to the SLT, the staff in the region and also in communications with the Head office in Oxford.
• The role is variable with well-defined targets and/or minimum standards and is both proactive and reactive.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Regional Financial Management

• Provide strategic support to the Regional Director and Regional Leadership Team on finance, risk management, systems, office management and compliance
• Participates in, and is a member of the International Finance and Systems Leadership Team and to OI structures looking at confederate integration thereby contributes to the shaping of the Divisional Financial processes and priorities
• To be responsible for the effective performance management of all staff and teams reporting into this post, ensuring assessment, development and performance management against objectives and organisationally agreed competencies
• To serve as part of the Senior Leadership Team participating as a full and equal member in the leadership of the region and acting as a business partner to other SLT members and to CDs.
• To ensure that SLT & RLT receive advice and information on finance, logistics and IS that allow them to make appropriate decisions.
• To be responsible for the implementation of Oxfam' s relevant organisational standards and compliance with legal obligations across the Region, together with the regional Human Resources lead
• To ensure that the regional centre administration runs effectively both in the office itself and in the newly envisaged multi-locational team
• To provide support to the new affiliate, Oxfam South Africa, as requested and required
• To provide leadership of planning, reporting and forecasting for the region which includes:

-          Ensuring a strong link to programme and programme funding, and to HR

-          Leading and supporting the finance function within the region

-       Ensuring the provision of appropriate management information (including the regional scorecard covering the key performance metrics, e.g. financial performance, headcount, compliance issues, donor reporting & issues).

-       Trend information that supports understanding of the use of resources in the region with links to work on cost effectiveness, benchmarking and comparisons, sharing of good practice.

-      Provide the lead on budgeting process- putting the financials in place to support the plans.   Working closely with Regional Director and /or Regional Programme Funding Manager (who lead the countries on developing the plans), this post supports the resource allocation, prioritising financial resources and ensuring robust budgets - financial plans- to support the country and regional plans

• To be accountable for the implementation of the corporate and divisional finance strategy and ensure effective financial management, asset management and financial accountability within the region.
• To effectively manage and support sound financial management practices across the region.
• To effectively manage/engage with risk in the region.

Linking to the counter fraud team in Oxford, ensuring training takes place in country, following up on major issues and ensuring that investigations happen appropriately, with the support of Oxford based counter fraud team, and supporting the line in managing risks

Ensuring excellent contract management practices, with the funding team

Logistics, Administration and Business Support

• To provide strategic oversight of the logistic function in the region.
• To oversee all areas of risks related to logistics in the region, ensuring effective controls and systems are in place working with the Country Logistics manager and the relevant country teams.
• To ensure that the central administrative function in the RC works effectively so that other staff can perform their functions and that it becomes increasingly efficient and cost effective.
• To champion and drive through a campaign on cost effectiveness and cost recovery, finding new ways of working that reduce transaction costs.

Programme Information

• Lead on Information System needs for the region, ensuring good connection with the Oxford Information System department on systems and information needs for the region.
• To be responsible for the delivery within the region of the organisational information systems strategy, working within corporate parameters, to facilitate communications, information flow and management information, ensuring appropriate use of information technology based systems. This will include taking the final decision on Information Systems functions that will be delivered in house, and those that will be outsourced.

Other

• Overall responsibility for managing the regional centre.
• Deputising for the Regional Director on occasion.
• Helping to vision and drive through change process
• Modelling and championing Oxfam values and principles and contributing to a thriving organisational culture that is positive and productive.
• Contributing to building a united SLT and RLT, excellent business partner relationships between teams.

Skills and Competence

Essential:

• Excellent people and team management, able to hold to account and build and motivate people and teams effectively - particularly for cross team collaboration
• An internationally recognised professional qualification in finance and preferably with some experience in a large and / or complex organisation, and the ability to influence and support colleagues in appreciating the importance of financial standards, procedures and controls.  
• Experience of Oxfam a very strong advantage, experience of Oxfam in multiple locations also an advantage
• Expertise in the application of strategic financial management and experience in maximising resource utilization.
• Experience of Oxfam systems, standards, policies, and procedures, particularly in regards to procurement and financial control.
• Experience of leading the implementation of operational improvements and the persistence to achieve change in a challenging environment.  
• Understanding of the information systems and information technology function and an appreciation of the importance of its role, with understanding of digital communications and platforms an advantage
• Good understanding of logistics functions and an appreciation of the importance of its role, with strong capability in risk management in this area.
• Ability to gain and apply knowledge of the statutory requirements of countries in the region and of the impact of local culture and tradition. 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including high-level interpersonal and representational capabilities fluency in written and spoken English essential. 
• Ability to operate and think strategically, coupled with proven analytical skills and the use of these to problem solve and make firm decisions.  
• Aptitude and openness to change, with an ability to lead change management
• A strong commitment to Oxfam' s purpose, a broad understanding of the work culture in the " development" sector and its impact on key areas of responsibility and a commitment to humanitarian principles and action. 
• An understanding of gender and diversity considerations within key areas of responsibility and commitment to addressing inequalities in the workplace and the programme.

The person will be expected to cover regular out of hours duty. The post will involve regular travel throughout the region, sometimes for extended periods and sometimes at short notice. It may also include work in humanitarian emergencies or conflict zones.

MORE INFO...

Job Profile - Regional Finance and Systems Manager (Oct 2013).doc

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