Finance Manager 24 views0 applications

POSITION TITLE: Finance Manager

POSITION LOCATION: Juba, South Sudan

REPORTS TO: Project Director

CONTRACT TERM: 1 year, renewable

LANGUAGES: Fluency in English is required

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 30, 2025

BACKGROUND

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization focusing on three programmatic areas: Economic Opportunities, Education, and Empowerment. Our vision is a better world for all young people. It is a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world in which all young people, especially women and refugees, are empowered to secure a good quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities. WUSC currently works in over 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $45 million. Globally, we partner with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that work with us to achieve our mission.

WUSC is launching its new 5-year project, Strengthening Collection Action and Learning for Education (SCALE), that is designed to enhance the empowerment of adolescent girls to access educational pathways in border zones of South Sudan (Yei River, Kajo Keji and Magwi). The project will support key actors in the education ecosystem to test, adapt, expand, and sustain innovative models and practical approaches to improve learning opportunities for girls and other vulnerable groups. This 10 million canadian dollar project is funded by Global Affairs Canada.

In its approach, WUSC will use a system’s strengthening approach which includes localization; capacity strengthening; innovation; a strong learning agenda; support for collective, collaborative, and complementary action; and focused implementation in geographies where solutions can also be tested for their broader relevance and impact. The project will work with local implementing partners, women rights organisations, training institutions and state actors, as well as international development actors to create an enabling environment for girls education.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Reporting to the South Sudan Project Director, the Finance Manager oversees the financial and administrative procedures of the SCALE project in South Sudan. He/She will be responsible to ensure sound financial management and compliance with donor requirements.

The Finance Manager is responsible for the following:

Accounting & Finance:

• Ensure that accurate and timely financial records and audit trails are established and maintained for project operations, including for any satellite offices;
• In coordination with the Senior Finance Analyst in Canada, ensure compliance with the overarching regulatory and contractual obligations (e.g. financial, human resources and legal) of WUSC South Sudan operations;
• Prepare financial reports for the Project Steering Committee;
• Support the Project Director and support staff in the preparation and monitoring of the Project Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plan budget for the lifetime of the project, as well as disbursement updates and forecasts as required for WUSC headquarters and the donor;
• Ensure timely and complete budgeting processes are implemented, including variance analysis and guidance on managing the expenditures and managing the project cash flow;
• Ensure the reconciliation of bank accounts and the monthly closure of financial records are approved by the Project Director and sent to WUSC headquarters;
• Allocate salaries and benefits expenses to appropriate funding codes;
• Review, develop and implement necessary improvements to financial controls, systems and policies of WUSC in financial management in South Sudan with the approval of WUSC headquarters;
• Regularly review and maintain the Financial Management Procedures Manual for South Sudan, in coordination with the finance team in Ottawa, and develop the forms and procedures needed for financial operations;
• Ensure that country office financial tools are in line with national laws, donor regulations, WUSC South Sudan policies, and WUSC institutional policies and manuals;
• Provide overall financial analysis, management advice and technical assistance to the project team and partner organizations, as required;
• Participate in financial monitoring of partner organizations; and
• Oversee foreign exchange transactions and accounting;
• Coordinate, facilitate and support internal and external audits.
• Perform monthly reconciliation and analysis of the Balance Sheet Accounts;
• Obtain vendors’ statements of account, and reconcile and analyze transactions to ensure there are no overdue, missing, or duplicate invoices;

Project Planning and Management:

• In close collaboration with the Senior Finance Analyst at WUSC headquarters in Ottawa, provide the necessary support for the financial management of WUSC agreements with donors;
• Ensure that the Budget Variance Analysis (BVA) and forecast processes are well in place for each project and implemented on a timely, quality and collaborative manner by Finance and Program Departments;
• On a monthly basis, compile the BVA and engage with Project Director and other relevant team members, in analyzing the situation and propose corrective/reallocation measures if needed;
• Lead the yearly budget planning process and provide advice to the Project Director and the program implementation team on defining the best allocation of the resources according to the developed work plan, through exhaustive and detailed budget and financial risks analysis and benefits;
• Take the lead in the design of new projects and proposals from a budget point of view in coordination with the Project Director and the finance department at WUSC headquarters; and
• Ensure headquarters and donor deadlines for financial reports are met.

Capacity Building:

• Ensure a good level of support for the development of a capacity building plan for WUSC and implementing partners’ team according to their needs;
• Prepare and conduct financial training/coaching for non-finance staff on costing, budgeting, BVA analysis, and donor and government compliance, according to the training needs identified;
• Strengthen the capacity of finance staff through coaching and on the job guidance and training;
• Share feedback to the implementing partners reading areas of improvement and progress status.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field is preferable; Bachelor degree with extensive relevant experience accepted;
• MBA or a Professional Financial/Accounting qualification (ACCA, CA or equivalent);
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience post qualification in accounting, management and monitoring, preferably with large international development organization;
• Substantial experience (2 years or more) as supervisor of finance/administration staff highly desirable; and experience building capacity of staff in finance and accounting
• Experience with international donor grants, contracts accounting, financial and administrative procedures, and compliance regulations; Good knowledge of local laws and national financial and audit requirements in South Sudan, including the labor law, staff income tax, and social security regulations
• Proficient in Microsoft office packages, Google suite, computerized accounting systems and other relevant software
• Good knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, control standards and the reporting requirements of major international donors;
• Ability to manage a financial/administration team across several sites and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills;
• Able to manage, guide and lead employees to ensure appropriate financial processes are being used;
• Strong understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles;
• Availability to travel locally, regionally and internationally; and,
• Demonstrate commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment.

Language and other

• Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Ability to travel internationally as required
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with multiple time zones

APPLICATIONS:

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in South Sudan. WUSC will not facilitate any work authorization process or relocation.