Senior Finance Manager - Budgeting Planning & Control at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Join our dedicated and diverse staff in their work to improve the well-being of children everywhere.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Finance Manager - Budgeting Planning & Control

Location: Abuja

Role Purpose

• The primary function of the Senior Finance Manager is to support the Director of Finance in ensuring SCI Nigeria Country program compliance with Save the Children’s accounting policy, donor requirements and generally accepted accounting principles through the development and implementation financial policies and procedures.
• S/he is responsible for accurate, complete and reliable financial information is maintained in the Country program financial system, and there exists effective control procedure. And also to provide expert support and advice to regional Hubs, Sub offices, SMT and budget holders.
• S/heWorks with the FD in establishing and implementing short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, and work plans for direct supervisory area.
• S/he has to incorporate the highest standard of donor requirements into CP accounting process. And s/he is responsible for Budget vs actual Review, plan and entered into Agresso, Country offices retain and can access on demand a valid supporting document for every transaction (securely filed and stored for the minimum period required).
• In addition, S/he is expected to manages the Country Program financial systems(Agresso) and provide Hubs and sub offices  monthly updates, prepares annual plan and budget submissions before 31 January, ensures  timely  preparation and audit of SCI Nigeria  annual Statutory account for submissions before 31 March.
• S/he is responsible for staffing, coaching and mentor staff, providing equal and relevant opportunities for professional and career development.

Key Areas of Accountability
Planning and Budgeting:

• Assist the Director of Finance (FD) in supporting the management /administration of the Country Office resources and its sub-offices including (a) the formulation of country work program and resource allocation, (b) providing 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. Highlight variances, provide analyses and recommend resolution or reallocation of resources
• Participate in the Identification and effective management of all key risks, especially financial, related to delivering the Country Office program.  Support the FD in the development of mitigation plans at proposal stage
• Ensure correct level of budget authority exists within Country Office
• Support the FD in management of  financial aspects of budget development for new proposals
• Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency finance and grants procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up
• Ensure budget holders understand their responsibilities (e.g., through training)
• Ensure 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
• Provide support as delegated to Director of HR/Support Services to establish equitable staff compensation policies and practices within the approved budget and donor requirements

Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control:

• Manage the Country Office financial systems and provide the SMT and all budget holders a monthly update on the budget variance analysis and led the monthly finance meeting
• Submit timely financial reports to centre, Regional Office and donors as required
• Ensure that effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control including:
  • Annual accounts and tax statement preparation;
  • Accounting and management information systems;
  • Cash and cash flow management and control in particular gain/losses on currency exchange;
  • Financial procedures during emergency responses, including meeting all relevant responsibilities in the Rules and Principles for Emergency Response;
  • Expenditure procedures, especially around procurement;
  • Documentation of all controls and procedures;
  • Finance training for staff in the field and partners as necessary;
• Monitor accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to members, donors and government regulatory agencies
• Coordinate submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolutions or action plans
• Lead and participate in the development of finance policies and procedures to be able to maintain a well-financially controlled environment in both development and emergency contexts
• Coordinate and assist CD during any internal or external audits
• Support focal persons in conducting effective grants audits

Award Management:

• Monitor completion of financial reports for awards/contracts. Work with awards focal persons to ensure proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from various sub-offices
• Coordinate the release of donor fund summaries from the members to ensure accurate and systematic accounting of grant transactions
• Provide guidance to finance and non-finance staff and coordinate efforts to ensure compliance with donor requirements
• Ensure timely and accurate information is provided through Award Management systems
• Oversee and monitor sub grantees/ grants as required per SC policies and procedures
• Develop sub-grantees through training and capacity building
• Ensure that donor financial reports and additive reports align

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development - Finance:

• Support the FD to ensure appropriate staffing within finance
• Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency
• Manage finance team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
• Support the FD to ensure 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. 
• Establish result based system and follow up
• Ensure adequate segregation of finance duty within Country Office and Manage the performance of all Direct reports in the finance work area through:
  • Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
  • Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
  • Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans

Core Competencies:

• Leading and inspiring others - Delivering results - Developing self and others - Problem solving and decision making - Innovating and adapting - Applying technical and professional expertise

Qualifications and Experience

• Recommended a minimum of 5 years management experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, of which three at a management level within the finance department of a national or international organization
• Experience with recent experience working in an emergency context
• CPA or equivalent degree (CA, ACMA, ACCA) strongly recommended
• 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
• Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
• 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
• Written and verbal fluency in  English
• Adhere to SCI Values: Accountability; Ambition; Collaboration; Creativity; Integrity

Application Closing Date
22nd July, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online