Financial Controller , Harare 177 views4 applications

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Zimbabwe, the Financial Controller shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO).  The incumbent is responsible for finance administration, fiscal management, financial reporting, IT and administrative support of all CO teams, in both emergency and development programming contexts.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

• Leadership of the Zimbabwe Country Office
• 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
• Design and implementation of a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to programme needs
• Ensured compliance of Zimbabwe Country Office with all Save the Children Management Operating Standards and Standard Operating Procedures
• Ensured support services provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles to project and program activities, including during emergencies
• Design of a coherent organisational structure consistent with agency practices and appropriate to approved budget and program needs

Planning and Budgeting

• Assists 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) effective support and guidance to the Senior Management Team and other key program staff during planning and allocation exercises; (c) monitoring implementation of donor agreements and resource utilization.
• Working with the managers, highlights variances, provides analyses and recommends resolution or reallocation of resources
• Identifies and effectively manages all key risks, especially financial, related to delivering the Country Office program
• Ensures correct level of budget authority exists within Country Office
• Provides a source of verification of budget information in new proposals under development
• Ensures appropriate and adequate emergency finance and grants procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up
• Ensures budget holders understand their responsibilities and ways to carry out their financial responsibilities
• Ensures sub-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.
• Supports in establishing equitable staff compensation policies and practices within the approved budget and donor requirements.
• Works with budget holders and provincial program managers to estimate funds request on a timely basis to ensure resources are in place for project activities.
• Ensures Country Office treasury operations are adequately managed.

 

Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control

• Manages the Country Office financial systems and provide the SMT and all budget holders a monthly update on the budget variance analysis
• Ensures 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
• Ensures that effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control including:

o    Annual accounts and tax statement preparation;

v  Accounting and management information systems;

v  Cash and cash flow management and control in particular gain/losses on currency exchange;

v  Financial procedures during emergency responses, including meeting all relevant responsibilities in the Rules and Principles for Emergency Response;

v  Expenditure procedures, especially around procurement;

v  Documentation of all controls and procedures;

v  Finance training for staff in the field and partners as necessary;

v  Availability of funds for sub-offices and the Country Office

• Monitors accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to members, donors and government regulatory agencies
• Ensures quarterly effort reporting is prepared with major variances discussed with Regional Office and centre
• Coordinates submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolutions or action plans
• Leads and participates in the development of finance policies and procedures to be able to maintain a well-financially controlled environment in both development and emergency contexts
• Ensures monthly financial reviews (MFRs) are prepared, reviewed with SMT, and submitted to Regional Office regularly

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Finance & Admin

• Ensures appropriate staffing within the department.
• Ensures that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency
• Manages finance and Admin team; define result-based expectations, provides leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluates direct reports regularly.
• Ensures the recruitment, training, and promotion  of  staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
• Incorporates staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process
• Manages the performance of direct reports through:

v  Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;

v  Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;

v  Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;

v  Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/work plans

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Business Administration or finance management and professional   qualification such as CA, CPA, ACMA, ACCA, CIMA, CIS or other relevant professional qualification.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

Essential

• A minimum of seven years management experience in a corporate or International NGO(INGO) environment, with three years at a management level within the finance department of a national or international organization.
• Strong background in external donor reporting for an INGO and experience working with major donors like NORAD, ECHO, USAID, EU, DFID etc
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting and budget management, building, leading and motivating teams, knowledge of computer Accounting packages and a good understanding of major donors’    financial requirements and government budgets and tax policies
• 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
• 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.

Desirable

• Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• Written and verbal fluency in English

A detailed Job Description will be given to shortlisted applicants before the interview. If you are experienced, qualified and wish to be considered for any of the above positions please submit your written application letter with the position applied for clearly marked at the top of the envelop or subject line of the e-mail. Your application letter must be supported by your CV and certified copies of educational and professional qualifications as well as relevant personal identity documents by not later than end of day Sunday, 21 October 2018 to:

The Country Representative, Save the Children, 221 Fife Avenue, Harare, or email to: [email protected]

Candidates will be subject to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding recruitment procedures and checks.