Programme Finance Manager - Justice, Conflict & Stability at British Council Nigeria

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with - changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
 
We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Finance Manager - Justice, Conflict & Stability

Location: Abuja
Department: Financial Accounting and Reporting 
Contract Type: Locally Engaged
Pay band: 8
Duration: 1 - year Fixed term contract with possibility of 1-year extension

Role Purpose

• British Council Nigeria is currently recruiting a Programme Finance Manager - Justice, Conflict & Stability (JCS) who will manage all financial and commercial aspects of the full cost recovery programme (FCR) in line with corporate and funders requirements using appropriate standards, policies, processes, systems, and procedures.
• The role will lead the end to end accounting process across the operation (including month and year end close), client reporting, and ensure consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting processes.
• The post holder will be responsible for ensuring all financial activity is carried out accurately and effectively for the programmes. The post holder will lead on the development and improvement of efficient and effective standards, policies, guidance, process and systems, act as the first point of advice and support for all teams working on specific projects, and lead on the financial aspects of the set-up of new work, renewals, extensions and the implementation of existing programmes and projects to ensure the EU-funded programmes effectively manage their financial risks, meets client requirements and maximises income generation.
• Whilst reporting to the Head of Finance (Nigeria), the role will work closely with the Operations Managers, and the Regional Commercial Finance Manager. S/he will manage a team of finance officers (3 Finance Officers) and assistant (1 Finance Assistant)

Main Opportunities / Challenges for this Role
The Programme Finance Manager will:

• Lead on the delivery of a range of financial planning, management and reporting services required by clients / funders, partners, suppliers, management and programme team to the required British Council and EU standards.
• Responsible for providing relevant, accurate, complete, and timely financial accounting and management information in line with British Council and funder’s requirements.
• Lead on Financial Risk Management, Control and Compliance processes - including managing the annual audit process, Financial Control and Compliance Framework (FCCF), Enterprise Risk 3 Management Framework (ERMF), management Control Checks (MCS), Financial Control Standards (FCS) processes, etc.
• Oversee the financial aspects of all grants’ activities (e.g. strategy and manual development / review, due diligence, selection support, contracting, disbursement, financial management and reporting, compliance checks, capacity building, etc.) - including capacity building for external staff of partner NGOs and CSOs in line with Client’s expectations and British Council standards.
• Act as the key finance business partner to senior managers across the operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local statutory regulations, including tax-related legislations, foreign exchange policies, etc.
• The organisation requires the financial function to have a level of commercial finance acumen as we expand our income generating activities, streamline our portfolio and target more partnership income. As a result, the role holder will play a key role in driving income target / performance.

Requirements
Essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CFA, CMA) with at least 4 years post-qualification experience
• Graduate of Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or other related fields
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a relevant managerial and project finance environment with evidence of continuous professional development
• A very detailed understanding of financial control processes applicable to client funded project work
• Track record of managing key finance function in international / multinational organisation in similar context; and leading an efficient, innovative and result oriented team.
• Direct experience in monitoring and supporting financial management capacity building of Civil Society Organisations in receipt of client funded grants
• Financial reconciliation for high value contracts
• Ability to interpret financial data and support non-financial managers to deliver against financial performance indicators
• Experience of an ERP system (SAP preferably)
• Excel - expert skill level

Desirable:

• Project Management Qualification
• Experience of applying financial controls and procedures within complex and high-risk operating environments to meet challenging contractual standards
• Experience of overseeing, supporting and significantly improving financial management capability and performance of individuals and teams outside of formal / direct line management control
• Demonstrable track record of planning and tracking performance and business modelling through the analysis and reporting of complex financial data
• Experience working in EU-funded, FCDO-funded, etc. related projects

Additional Information:

• All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in Nigeria.
• A technical assessment and presentation to a panel will be part of the recruitment process.

Application Closing Date
3rd June, 2021.