Country Financial Controller – Sierra Leone At Concern Worldwide

Job Title: Country Financial Controller – Sierra Leone

Reports to: Country Director

Terms: Fixed-term contract for two years on accompanied terms

Salary: International Grade 5: €50,107 – €55,674

Requirements: This role is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with frequent travel to other programme locations within Sierra Leone and occasional travel outside of Sierra Leone to attend workshops, conferences or capacity building events.

About Concern:

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:

You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the finance function of Concern Worldwide in Sierra Leone to achieve our objectives in line with Concern Worldwide policies, procedures and standards. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), you will provide leadership in the development and management of organisational policies, supporting the efficient achievement of the Sierra Leone Country Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities:

Financial Systems and Controls

• Ensure that country financial management systems and records are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets and interests 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 and monitor an effective and efficient system of internal control (i.e. ledger, cashbooks, balance sheet reconciliations, cash and bank management etc.) which comply with Concern Worldwide’s financial guidelines and minimise the risk of fraud or misappropriation.
• Ensure financial systems of the country programme are operating in line with standard Concern procedures and that they meet the monitoring and reporting requirements of the CMT, Donors and National Authorities.
• 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 requirements.
• Support the Operations Director in maintaining a complete record of capital assets and that they are properly safeguarded.
• Undertake regular visits to programme locations to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements wherever needed.
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the CD/SMT advised of all situations that have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.
• Ensure that the global accounting package (Microsoft Great Plains) is maintained in a proper manner and utilized in an appropriate and effective manner.

Financial and Donor Reporting

• Assist the Programmes Director and budget-holders in preparing budgets and revisions in line with strategic plans and organisational objectives. This involves supporting, facilitating and consolidating financial budgets.
• Ensure proper recording of income and expenditure to comply with Concern and donor regulations.
• Produce monthly management accounts (budget vs. actual) and work with the programme teams and department managers to understand their expenditure reports (management accounts) and budgets.
• Oversee the accurate preparation of financial reports and ensure both organisational and donor requirements are met within agreed timeframes.
• Maintain a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding and ensure efficient and accurate reporting to donors, including donor compliance.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports for Concern’s Head Office (Financial Reporting Pack (i.e. FRP).
• Ensure all balance sheet items are reconciled 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 provide necessary advice to the CD.

Grants Management

• Ensure that donor reports tie back to the general ledger from Microsoft GP system and donor original budgets.
• Ensure staff positions are properly mapped to donor funding, ensuring that gaps are identified and included in future donor proposals, and alert the CD/CMT if there is not sufficient funding for any staff roles. Discuss with CD & CMT necessary actions that might be required, including termination of staff posts if necessary.
• Ensure relevant donor guidelines, policies, proposals, reports and other communications are readily available, categorized by grant, and documented in soft and hard copy filing.

Partners & Consortium Members:

• Support due diligence processes with prospective consortium members and participate in the joint development of agreed plans to address areas of weakness and mitigate any risks arising.
• Participate in the development and review of formal agreements with partners and consortium members.
• Organise and support joint financial assessments and the development of mutual capacity building plans with national NGOs and other partner organisations.
• Ensure the effective roll out of agreed mutual capacity building processes, reviews, monitoring and training as identified with national NGOs and other partner organisations.
• Periodically as necessary, conduct financial reviews and risk assessments, in line with Concern’s standard financial procedures.

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• As a senior manager and member of the CMT, contribute to strategy, implementation and governance of our operations in country.
• Provide leadership and direction for the in-country Finance Team both in the country head office and programme locations.
• Develop a second layer of staff who can gap fill or be promoted when any senior finance post becomes vacant.
• Undertake specific training, capacity building and other relevant initiatives to ensure finance staff perform their roles and responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism and create the space for staff to develop into credible candidates to fill any vacant positions in the finance team and provide strong cover for leave.
• Provide training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures, budgetary and internal controls.
• Undertake financial training of budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls and making decisions based on financial reports.
• Ensure Concern’s values and policy commitments, including accountability and equality, are reflected in the work of the Finance Team/Department.
• Ensure that Job Descriptions of field finance are kept up to date.
• Ensure that PDRs are completed for all country finance staff at least annually.

Other 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 & liaise with relevant authorities in this respect.
• Review and establish an effective monitoring system for donations in Kind (DIK) so that all items received from donors as DIK and distributed to beneficiaries are recorded properly and reconciliation procedures developed to adhere to audit trail requirements.
• Assist the CD to update the delegation of authority document on a regular basis as necessary (project changes/ staff structure changes/new emergency response/ etc.).
• Implement feedback provided by Concern’s Regional Accountant or internal auditors related to the financial systems.
• 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.
• Any other finance-related duties as may be reasonably required.

Concern Code of Conduct (CoC) & Associated Policies

• Fully adhere to and actively promote Concern’s CoC & Associated Policies.
• Ensure direct line reports and all finance staff understand and adhere to the Concern CoC & Associated Policies.
• Ensure all finance staff understand the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and Concern’s commitments.

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, proper archiving and limiting access to the finance office to authorised personnel only.

In addition, please note:

• All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• All managers are required to actively participate in any emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• Internationally recognised Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA).
• Five (5) years’ relevant post-qualification experience in an NGO or a similar organization at senior management level.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in training / capacity building both in technical and management aspects.
• Experience managing large and multi donor (especially Irish Aid, FCDO, EU, USAID etc.) programme budgets.
• Experience working with local and national organisations.
• Experience working in consortiums as both lead and sub recipient.
• Must be fully fluent in English.
• Excellent verbal & written communication, presentation and negotiation skills with finance and non-financial staff, partner organisations, national authorities and other external organisations.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent team worker.
• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Proven organization, planning and management skills. Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams.
• Comfortable with a variety of computer applications – i.e. accounting software, Microsoft Excel, Word, communications systems and basic trouble shooting skills.
• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of development issues and concepts.
• Experience of working on commercial contracts.
• Experience working as international staff member in development context.
• Academic background of or strong practical experience in macro-economic and/or fiscal policy.
• Previous experience of working in Sierra Leone or similar context.
• Knowledge of Krio or other languages spoken in Sierra Leone.