Job Vacancy at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) for a Head of Finance

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), is the world's leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place. We are recruiting to fill the position below:   Job Title: Head of Finance Location: Abuja Report: Country Director with dotted report line to Regional Finance Manager Permanent: Full Time, 35 hours per week Job Purpose

• The job holder is expected to Support the Country Director in managing the Country Office finances.
• He/she will be required to ensure the financial and legal integrity of VSON is within the framework of the policies and procedures established by VSO and the requirements of the local and international law.
• The post involves a full range of financial control and management activities.

• Be the lead reference point on all financial matters in the Country Office, including formulating financial strategic direction and supporting the Country Director to assess implications of financial issues in the short and long term.
• Contribute to the development of the strategic plan for the Country Office and develop and maintain appropriate and effective financial strategies, plans and policies to support the strategic plan.
• Provide solid leadership and oversight of the team – guiding them through the department’s operational work plan, ensuring important deadlines are met, with proper resource planning and regular 1:1 meetings - keeping abreast with all department activities.
• Ensure internal control environment is robust enough to deter or detect any fraudulent attempts/occurrences and suggest any further control mechanisms to bridge any gaps.
• Ensure the global finance policies have been adopted locally and made context-relevant. Design a mechanism for ensuring all staff acquire knowledge of these policies and procedures and ensure compliance by all
• Play a leading role in ensuring effective Grant management – including handling partnerships at all levels.
• Audits – Take a lead on all audits (internal, external or donor project specific) conducted at the country office; ensuring all required information is provided on a timely basis and that documentation provided is good quality.
• Lead a robust annual planning process that involves all stakeholders, ensuring that budgets are phased appropriately and effectively monitored on a quarterly basis.
• Develop and implement procedures for assessing the value for money that VSO obtains in all its activities to identify cost savings and ensure financial efficiency and value for money principles are an integral part of the Country Programme activities.
• Provide leadership in monitoring and reporting on financial risks; supporting and influencing senior management team to monitor all operational financial risks.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of financial legislation and good practice to ensure that the Country Programme complies with all legal requirements and proactively stays at the forefront of financial management practice.
• Produce high-quality monthly management reports for Programme staff and SMT, proactively advising on any variances.
• Ensure effective development and review of proposal budgets, bearing in mind cost recovery of staff costs, office costs, regional costs and overheads at agreed rates.
• Support capacity building for the finance staff to ensure they grow and develop in all financial management areas, especially reporting both internally and externally. Keep the nonfinance staff updated – mainly on Grant management and Donor Compliance specifics (as per Grant management guidelines)
• As part of the Global Finance team, be prepared to engage with other team members and positively contribute to various initiatives for continuous improvement of financial systems, policies, and processes.
• Lead and guide the Finance team in ensuring assessment of partners’ financial management ability and support in building their capacity to appropriate develop internal control systems.

• The Country Director has confidence in the financial management system and can rely on information provided to make meaningful strategic decisions for the Country Office.
• The Country office strategic plan is supported by solid and appropriate financial strategies, plans and policies.
• Global financial management policies, procedures, and fund requirements are strictly applied and compliant with local laws. Manuals with procedures are up to date and changes communicated to all.
• Grant files in order, Donor compliance specifics known and adhered to by all staff, reporting calendar is up and running, Donor reporting deadlines are met and there’s timely invoicing plus follow up of income due to VSO on a timely basis.
• Partners/Sub-grantee financial management capacity is built, there’s a timetable for all to report on time, they are all aware of their respective donor compliance specifics and Partner advance accounts are reconciled every month.
• Value for money tracked and reported. Cost savings identified and VFM principles are evident in all budgeting & expenditure for the CO.
• Design risk assessment tests to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the systems in place as well as compliance to laid procedures and prepare listing of findings and risk/implications, recommendations as well as management responses.
• Regular Compliance reviews conducted and good practice emphasised to the team at all times.
• Audit requirements are met. Results of evaluations/audits, issues arising, etc are shared with CD and respective team members for learning and implementation of recommendations undertaken within appropriate timeframe.
• Finance department operational work plan is in place and all finance staff are clear of their roles and responsibilities, and there’s efficient planning of resources to meet CO needs at all times.
• Internal controls are in place, in line with global financial management policies and procedures. In particular; appropriate and relevant signatory limits are set and maintained within the Country Office.
• Annual budgets and reforecasts are produced in line with global timetable and formats. Budgets are monitored monthly and actions taken to address variances within overall budget limits.
• Variances on restricted funding are discussed and agreed with the donor in line with agreed contract conditions.
• Proposal budgeting effectively done, with prices reflective of CO market conditions, PTC prepared at expected standard and well translated onto donor format.
• Finance staff feel supported and can demonstrate growth in several areas of financial management. Both Finance and Programme staff are clear of expectations from each party at each stage of the grant management process.
• Agile and dedicated team member, adding value to the overall VSO finance function.

• Proactively enables and encourages teamwork in others

• Proactively builds constructive relationships through clear communication and generates effective discussion and mutual support for plans and ideas

• Proactively seeks out new knowledge sources (people and data); uses and shares knowledge effectively; shares learning identified through research, MEL activities and suggests programmatic improvements based on generated evidence

• Wants to learn and improve; responds to feedback and strives to meet objectives set by others

• Spends VSO’s money responsibly; organizes own work to meet objectives on time and is aware of team workloads

• Gives constructive feedback that helps others identify and meet development needs.

• Is enthusiastic about VSO’s work, lives VSO’s values and is open to new ideas.

• Understands the context of own role; considers the impact of own work on that of others.

• Analyses objectives, considers options, plans and manages appropriately; holds self and team accountable for achieving goals.

• Technical Accounting
• Expertise - Fully Qualified Management Accountant (CMA), ACCA, ACA or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license with strong technical accounting skills.
• Skilled finance Head with knowledge of financial management of restricted donor funding, reporting, procurement procedure, grant management, grant equipment and donor rules and regulations for non-profit organisations.
• Line Management experience, with ability to develop, coach and motivate a high performing team.
• Communication and Influencing Skills - Strong written and verbal communication skills - able to listen, analyse, present, consult, negotiate with confidence and obtain stakeholder engagement.
• Able to communicate complex financial information effectively to wide range of audiences. Experience of remote and cross-cultural communication, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural and language differences.
• Able to consider implications of professional value, ethics and attitudes to decision making. Able to plan,juggle complex multiple priorities within restricted resources. Ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Financial and Information Technology Systems – Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel particularly. Use of accounting software and reporting packages, including SUN.
• Commitment to VSO’s work and values.
• Financial Business Partnering - Service oriented, customer focused approach. Experience of working in and understanding a global organisation, using knowledge to analyse and interpret financial information to support management.
• Risk Management - Experience of identifying and analysing financial risks.
• Seven (7) years relevant working experience and minimum of 4 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in working multiple foreign currencies and understanding of foreign exchange hedging.
• Strong leadership experience in budget management (including project budgets), financial planning and analysis.
• Strong knowledge of internal financial controls and year-end procedure.
• Knowledge of Internal, External and Project Audit. Strong attention to detail. Understanding of international accounting standards.
• Decision Making and planning – Capacity for inquiry, research, logical and analytical thinking, powers of reasoning and critical analysis. Able to demonstrate sound judgement and a solution-focused approach, solving unstructured issues in unfamiliar settings.