About the role
Head of Finance and Operations
Sierra Leone
Permanent and full time
Function of department
- To deliver against financial growth targets, whilst managing governance and reporting staff
- To represent Crown Agents in the winning of business in Sierra Leone.
- To market all services, understand client and market drivers
Main job purpose
- The Head of Finance and Operations will assist the Country Director in overall coordination, implementation and supervision of all resources and operations. Key areas include finance and administration, staff capacity building, monitoring, technical soundness, oversight of programme activities and reporting.
- Management of the operations team, including finance and administration, HR, facilities, IT, etc
- Assist the Country Director in providing market intelligence for growth.
- Generate leads through relationships and intelligence gathering.
- To contribute to the achievement of agreed sales targets.
Leadership
- Supporting the Country Director in providing leadership, support and coordination in the implementation of ongoing projects
- Develop national operation plan ensuring that it is in accordance with strategies and provide thought leadership to the process of IO strategy and program design
- Promote innovation among the Operations team to maximize growth and impact
Staff Management, Staff Capacity and Performance Management
- Supervise CASL operations staff; provide leadership to the country operations team, ensuring clarity regarding CA and donors’ values and priorities;
- Encourage and ensure effective communication across departments in Sierra Leone, across offices and with the regional team;
- Help the Country Director to build a trusting, collaborative environment internally with CASL staff demonstrating CA’s values;
- In collaboration with the Country Director, and HR, ensure that all staff and managers are properly trained and developed to carry out their job
- Manage human resources as per CA values, policies and guidelines, and implement an effective performance management program focusing on results and individual accountability, including regular check-ins, annual reviews, supportive supervision, a merit-based reward system, training, coaching and career development support.
- Ensure the timely recruitment of high caliber project staff for new projects
- Ensure that Sierra Leone strategy is understood by all teams implementing projects
- Champion mentorship to and by international staff and professional development of local personnel to ensure program quality excellence
- Provide an environment where teams can be innovative and share experiences and best practices
- Establish a culture of accountability for programmatic and financial management, by providing staff with the tools and standards for performance management
- In coordination with Human Resources, provide leadership and support to the Operations Management Team to ensure effective management of their teams
Running the Business
- Ensure adherence to correct governance in respect of company law and tax regulations
- Assist the Country Director to prepare and monitor the budget and forecast in line with corporate guidelines
- Comply with company management reporting requirements
- Oversee the maintenance of IT systems to facilitate effective business communication and knowledge sharing
- Collect debts from clients
About you
Finance / Budget
- Oversee all financial management, audits, monitoring, and evaluation activities for CAiSL operations in Sierra Leone including:
- Contribute to developing and managing an annual budget internally at CAiSL, together with Country finance lead and Regional team.
- Take responsibility for ensuring financial compliance in all program spending; includes asking questions, making informed decisions and explaining deviations;
Business Winning
- Identify and capitalise on opportunistic sales where clear customer needs exist for CAiSL services.
- Expand and fully utilise existing contracts.
- Under the instruction of the Country Director represent Crown Agents at the relevant meeting as required
- Assist the Country Director to seek new and develop appropriate partners and consortia to further strengthen CAiSL market offering.
- Develop heightened awareness of political and economic situations in the marketplace related to thematic and specific opportunities and priorities.
- Be fully up-to-date with regard to client bid history and be in a position to use this experience for advantage in future tenders.
- Provide regular feedback on identification of opportunities and conversion of sales targets.
- Maintain and appropriately share contact details of clients throughout CA’s network of business winners.
Qualification
- Relevant bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in related field preferred
Experience
- Typically, we require a minimum of 10 progressively responsible experience in a senior manager role. Previous experience as a Country Director is desirable.
- Previous experience in managing a diverse team in a resource limited setting.
- Attention to detail and ability to effectively perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a defined timeline
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, DFID and donor organizations.
- Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent communication skills across teams and partners
- Considerable experience in working with host country governments, NGOs and private sector to move the program forward and leverage resources
- Demonstrated leadership and management abilities.
- Prior experience and success directing similar or larger international donor-funded projects.
- Demonstrated strategic planning and visioning skills.
- Ability to travel as required to support the progress of program activities.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Sierra Leone and/or other West African region is highly preferred.
- Must have people management skills with ability to lead inspire and mentor subordinates to achieve highest results
Relationship
- In collaboration with the Country Director, develop and maintain productive and effective relationships with the HQ and relevant offices
- Network with leaders of other local and internationals organisation, local partners, line ministries to position CASL for coordinated program implementation
- Work with project staff and directors of other departments (Finance, HR, Administration, Supply Chain) to ensure smooth implementation of programs
About us
You’ll be working with Crown Agents which is a high impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833 we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national and international level to achieve lasting change drawing on our insight and experience.
About what’s on offer
Crown Agents offers a competitive benefits package.
More Information
- Job City Sierra Leone
