Finance Manager - Partners Affairs

Child Safeguarding:

Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

Role Purpose:

S/he is responsible for ensuring that implementing partners are fully supported technically including reviewing their financial reports and records to ensure that CDA funds are used for the intended purposes. S/He will support and provide on-the-job training/mentorship to the accountant/finance officer hired by the implementing partner in order to oversee the projects financial accounting and procurement processes. S/He will provide technical assistance to the implementing partners in developing or strengthening their financial system.

Reports (Directly Reporting) to: Finance Lead.

Staff Directly Reporting to this Post: Dotted line management of finance coordinators in SCI Area Offices

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Capacity building of implementing partners in the areas of budgeting (particularly on the annual budgeting process) and financial reporting
• Developing tools for budgeting and tracking financial performance, including a sound understanding of the BVA process and ensuring solid financial controls by partners
• Job holder to undertake regular audit spot checks with partners to ensure partners full compliance with donor and SCI regulations etc.
• To follow up on findings that were identified during spot checks and ensure corrective action has been taken.
• The job holder will regularly track and monitor partners expenditures to ensure the timely submission of financial reports by partners.
• Review partners financial reports and facilitate posting to financial system in collaboration with country office finance team.
• Prepare regular financial analysis of the partner burn rate to inform quick decision making
• Capacitate and support the implementing partners in preparing and revising finance guidelines so that they adhere to Save the Children and donor requirements.
• Support the implementing partners in proactively participating in monthly BVA review meetings with Save the Children and submitting reports in a timely manner.
• Support the partners in their annual planning processes.
• Ensure finance coordinators who are hired by CDA or have LOA are providing appropriate finance services to the Activity.
• To work with finance coordinators to ensure any issues raised by the implementing partners are resolved in a timely manner.
• To conduct regular supportive monitoring supervision visits jointly with the engagement of program and other concerned staffs and spot checking/verifying the financial documents for its completeness
• To deputize the Finance Lead in their absence.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and apply appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, and engages, and motivates others.
• Future orientated and thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

Honest, and encourages openness and transparency.

• BA Degree in Accounting, or other related field, from a recognized institution.
• 8+ years of professional experience in grant compliance, auditing, and financial management.
• Computer literate, particularly skilled in awards management package AMS, with fluency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Significant experience in financial monitoring, budgetary systems, and controls with strong analytical skills
• Proven ability to prepare budgets and donor financial reports.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills while working in a dynamic, team setting in a challenging environment.
• Willingness to travel extensively to multiple sites and provide capacity building for staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours and work with other teams, in the event of emergencies.
• Demonstrated capacity and prior experience in staff management and supervising others as a coach/mentor to develop financial skills of colleagues
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills in English, with substantial experience in managing multicultural teams
• Ability to communicate effectively and work across departments, with demonstrated experience in integrated project activities.
• Experience of building, leading and developing a team of senior staff with different backgrounds and expertise.
• Commitment to the Save the Children values.

Desirable

• Awareness of international accountability standards including HAP (Humanitarian Accountability Partnership) and a demonstrated commitment to promoting these standards in ways of working and project implementation.
• Experience of working with an international NGO especially in refugee context.
• Experience in managing and supervising the construction of primary schools, latrines and school Wash facilities.
• Experience of effectively communicating findings to internal/external stakeholders.
• Experience in child friendly accountability systems.

COMPETENCIES

• SC Values are: Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. To meet the value system, the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following Competencies on ongoing bases.
• Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards
• Promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organization.
• Engaging (align with Collaboration, Creativity)
• Networking: Builds and use sustainable relationship to support the work of save the children
• Working effectively with others to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives
• Knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.