This is a 24 month, replacement role with unaccompanied terms based in Freetown with frequent travel, with a salary of Grade 5, €44,095pa – €48,995pa .
You will report to the Country Director, also based in Freetown, and will oversee ten finance staff, specifically line managing four Finance Staff: National Finance Manager and Management Accountant based in Freetown; Senior Finance Officer based in Tonkolili District and Finance Officer based in Port Loko District. In addition, you will liaise with a range of programme and other support systems staff and management as necessary and will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT).
We would like you to start in late June/early July 2020, or as may be feasible given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Your purpose :
The Country Financial Controller (CFC) is responsible for managing all aspects of the finance function of the Concern Worldwide Sierra Leone country programme so that we achieve our objectives in line with Concern Worldwide’s policies, procedures and standards.
You will be responsible for :
Financial System and Controls :
- Ensure that country financial management systems and records are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets and interest of the organization ;
- Ensure that the systems and procedures in place enhance, as far as possible, the efficiency and effectiveness of the manner in which assets are utilized ;
- Maintain an effective and efficient system of internal controls, which comply with Concern’s financial guidelines ;
- Review existing systems on an on-going basis in order to develop and improve internal controls, in compliance with Concern’s policies and procedures ;
- Ensuring financial systems of the country programme are operating in line with standard Concern procedures and they meet the monitoring and reporting requirements of the Country Management Team, Donors and Government Authorities ;
- Ensure that all financial records and accounts are compiled in a timely and accurate manner, in line with applicable accounting standards and donor regulations ;
- Ensure that the country financial operations comply with legal and statutory requirements e.g. audit and financial reporting to all relevant national authorities ;
- With the support of the finance team, keep up to date with donor regulations and ensure that all controls are in place to meet donor compliance ;
- Support the Systems Director in ensuring there is a complete record of capital assets and that they are adequately safeguarded ;
- Organising and supporting financial assessments, reviews, monitoring and training of local partner organisations as necessary ;
- Undertaking regular field visits to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements wherever needed ;
- Closely monitor all financial activities, and keep the CD/Country Management Team advised of all situations that have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance ;
- Other responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director ;
- Ensure that the global accounting package (Microsoft Great Plains) is maintained in a proper manner, and utilized in an appropriate and effective manner.
Financial Reporting and Donor Reporting :
- Ensuring that country management prepares the annual and revised Country budget and donor budgets, as accurately as possible ;
- Producing monthly management accounts (budget vs. actual) and working with the programme teams and department managers to understand their expenditure reports (management accounts) and budgets ;
- Overseeing the accurate preparation of financial reports and ensuring both organisational and donor requirements are met within agreed timeframes ;
- Overseeing the process of for new project/programme budgets and reviews ;
- Maintaining a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding and to ensure efficient and accurate reporting to donors, including donor compliance ;
- Ensuring timely and accurate preparation of financial reports for Concern’s Head Office (Financial Reporting Pack (i.e. FRP) ;
- Reconcile all balance sheet items on a timely basis, in accordance with Concern Worldwide policies & procedures ;
- Finalise year-end accounts for the external auditors and provide any ad-hoc finance reports for Concern’s Head Office ;
- Provide financial analysis where necessary especially on maximizing available funds and advice to CD.
Staff Management and Capacity Building :
- Providing leadership and direction for the in-country Finance Team ;
- Develop the capacity of the local finance team to ensure that a good standard of financial management is maintained ;
- Undertake specific training, capacity building and other relevant initiatives to ensure national staff perform their roles and responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism and also create the space for national staff to develop into credible candidates to fill vacant positions in the finance team and to provide strong cover for leave ;
- Providing training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures and internal controls ;
- Undertake financial training of budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls and making decisions based on financial reports ;
- Ensuring Concern’s values and policy commitments, including accountability and equality, are reflected in the work of the Finance Team/Department.
Other financial duties :
- Facilitate internal, external and donor audits and associated reviews of field systems ;
- Ensure that all statutory deductions & taxes in respect of national staff are complied with & to liaise with relevant authorities in this respect ;
- Assist in the development and implementation of the Country’s Strategic Plan ;
- Contribute to the development of the country’s strategic direction and to the overall leadership of the country programme ;
- Responsible for managing financial aspects of donor contracts (as distinguished from donor grants) and report to donor in line with donor and organisational policy ;
- Responsible for managing the organisational finance strategic tasks in Sierra Leone on a timely and efficient basis ;
- Liaise with other relevant department staff to manage and report on Donations in Kind, stocks and provision for national staff cessation benefit ;
- Any other finance-related assignments as may reasonably be required.
Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies :
- Ensure adherence to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies ;
- Ensure finance staff understanding and adhere to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies ;
- Ensure the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) are understood by finance staff ;
- Contribute to and ensure that the Sierra Leone country programme delivers on its accountability commitments ;
- Promote an organization culture which is fair, open, protective and which fosters a learning culture.
Confidentiality :
- Ensure the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever acquired in the course of duty, relating to the practices and business of Concern Worldwide, to any other person or Organization without authority, except in normal execution of the above duties ;
- Ensure strict guardianship and security of financial data and documents at all times, including secure storage, accurate & complete filing and limiting access to the finance office to authorised personnel only ;
- Ensure strict adherence to Concern Sierra Leone Financial Procedures and Fraud Policy and remaining within the boundaries of these policies at all times.
Your skills and experience will include :
Essential :
- Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA,CIMA) ;
- 3 years post qualification experience in a similar international organization ;
- Experience in donor budgeting and financial reporting ;
- Experience in developing staff technical and management capacity ;
- Experience managing large and multi donor (especially DFID, Irish Aid, EU etc.) programme budgets ;
- Must be fully fluent in English ;
- Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation including Concern’s P4.
Desirable :
Education, Qualifications and Experience Required :
- Knowledge of development issues and concepts ;
- Experience of working/living in an insecure and harsh environment ;
- Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines ;
- Good team worker ;
- Good Communication and negotiation skills ;
- Knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, communications systems.
We would also like :
Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements :
- Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity ;
- Good communication and training / capacity building skills ;
- Proven organisational, planning and management skills ;
- Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams ;
- Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment ;
- Strong interpersonal and team work skills.
All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.
Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short-listed on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.
Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.