ROLE PURPOSE:
As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Niger, the Director of Finance shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO). The Director of Finance in his/her capacity is responsible for overseeing the financial services – in both emergency and development programming contexts.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:
- Leadership of the Niger Country Office
- Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our Members and donors
- Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to programme needs
- Help maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, partner agencies including humanitarian and development donors, and local and international NGOs
- Ensure Niger Country Office complies with all Save the Children Essential Standards.
- Ensure that all required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Regional Office.
Finance
- Oversee the finance function in Niger Country Office, including planning and budgeting, financial accounting, financial control, financial systems, and reporting.
Planning and Budgeting
- Assist the Country Director (CD) in the management /administration of the Country Office resources and its sub-offices including (a) the formulation of country work program and resource allocation, (b) providing effective support and guidance to the Senior Management Team and other key program staff during planning and allocation exercises; (c) monitoring resource utilization. Highlight variances, provide analysis and recommendations
- Work with the Director of Program Operations and the Director of Program Development and Quality in supporting the development of new plans to meet funding and programming needs.
- Identify and effectively manage all key risks, especially financial, related to delivering the Country Office program. Develop mitigation plans at proposal stage
- Ensure correct level of budget authority exists within Country Office
- Manage financial aspects of budget development for new proposals
- Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency finance and grants procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up
- Ensure budget holders understand their responsibilities (e.g., through training)
- Ensure field offices receive adequate support to operate efficient accounting systems, including timely receipt of monthly budget variance analysis by budget holders, timely answers to queries and scheduling tasks and deadlines.
- Work with the HR Director to establish equitable staff compensation policies and practices within the approved budget and donor requirements
- Prepare and monitor the Country Program’s Master Budget to inform cost allocation table for the Main office and sub offices.
Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control
- Manage the Country Office financial systems and provide the SMT and all budget holders a monthly update on the budget variance analysis
- Ensure that Program Operations and Support Services that systems are in place for the control of all assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities; submit timely financial reports to centre, Regional Office and donors as required
- Ensure that effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control including:
- Annual accounts and tax statement preparation;
- Accounting and management information systems;
- Cash and cash flow management and control in particular gain/losses on currency exchange;
- Financial procedures during emergency responses, including meeting all relevant responsibilities in the Rules and Principles for Emergency Response;
- Expenditure procedures, especially around procurement;
- Documentation of all controls and procedures;
- Finance training for staff in the field and partners as necessary;
- Availability of funds for sub-offices and the Country Office
- Monitor accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to members, donors and government regulatory agencies
- Ensure quarterly effort reporting is prepared with major variances discussed with Regional Office and centre
- Coordinate submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolutions or action plans
- Lead and participate in the development of finance policies and procedures to be able to maintain a well-financially controlled environment in both development and emergency contexts
- Coordinate any internal or external financial audits
- Ensure monthly financial reviews (MFRs) are prepared, reviewed with SMT, and submitted to Regional Office regularly
- Ensure Country Office treasury operations are adequately managed
- Monitor completion of financial reports for awards/contracts. Ensure proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from various sub-offices
- With the Grants and Compliance Manager, coordinate the release of donor fund summaries from the members to ensure accurate and systematic accounting of grant transactions
Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development
- Ensure appropriate staffing within finance teams
- Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency
- Manage finance teams; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
- Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
- Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Establish result based system and follow up.
- Ensure adequate segregation of finance, administration and logistics duties within Country Office Manage the performance of all staff in the finance work area through:
- Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
- Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
- Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
- Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Recommended a minimum of 10 years management experience an NGO environment, of which five at a management level within the finance department of an international organization
- CPA or equivalent degree (CA, ACMA, ACCA) strongly recommended
- Excellent understanding of business and financial planning including strategic modelling
- Excellent analytical skills – the ability to analyse complex financial data and design and produce effective management information
- Excellent experience of budgeting and budget management
- Excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures
- Strong business acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic decisions
- Excellent experience of computerised accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
- Experience of general administration work
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to build a small, proactive team, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary
- Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
- A full appreciation of the value of co-operation, both internationally and within a team environment
- Understanding of Save the Children’s vision and mission and a commitment to its objectives and values
- Ability to operate in English and French
More Information
- Job City Niamey, Niger
