Financial and Operations Manager At World University Service of Canada

JOB TITLE: Financial and Operations Manager

POSITION LOCATION: Bamako, Mali

SUPERIOR: Director EUMC Mali

DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year, renewable

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 28, 2024

LANGUAGES: Bilingual French and English preferred

CONTEXT

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of governments, civil society organizations, training institutions, private sector partners, students and volunteers who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunity and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion of young people around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. The EUMC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately 40 million Canadian dollars.

Global University Service of Canada (WUSC) is currently implementing education projects in Africa and Asia, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, the FCDO Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC) and private foundations. WUSC believes in supporting education across the continuum, from early childhood development to higher education, and we place particular emphasis on the senior cycle from primary to secondary school, when many children – especially girls – are most likely to drop out. EUMC’s education initiatives work with many conflict-affected populations, particularly refugees and refugee girls.

PROJECT TO SUPPORT GIRLS’ SCHOOLING IN MALI (PASCOFI)

EUMC is implementing an education project in Mali that aims to reduce disparities in the learning and academic performance of vulnerable girls affected by armed conflict in the Mopti and Ségou regions. The project will mobilize communities in favor of girls’ education by involving parents, community leaders and religious leaders to reduce the risks of school dropout or access to school linked to factors of insecurity or socio-cultural behaviors. To improve the quality and consideration of gender in the education system, the project will support the efforts of the Ministry of National Education to train teachers and deploy a new school curriculum that promotes inclusive and gender-conscious teaching approaches. reduction of inequalities between girls and boys.

General tasks

The Financial and Operations Manager (F&O) will assume leadership of finance and operations activities and provide quality oversight in order to meet project obligations, as well as donor and organizational requirements. The F&O Manager is provided with technical expertise to ensure efficient, effective and timely planning and execution of the various project F&O processes and activities. The Financial and Operations Manager (F&O) is responsible for coordinating with the finance function at EUMC headquarters and ensuring compliance with country and headquarters financial policies and guidelines. He or she is a member of the EUMC Mali management team.

More specifically, the F&O manager is responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the EUMC Mali Country Director, the Financial and Operations Manager (F&O) will be responsible for:

Management of the financial function

• Organize the finance function in the country and manage personnel, activities and all aspects within the finance team, in accordance with the approved plan, budget and relevant procedures, in order to achieve the objectives of the finance department.
• Monitor internal and donor requirements and oversee the development and implementation of updated working methods and procedures.
• Develop, seek approval and implement a country financing strategy, taking into account country interests, relevant regulations, standards and guidelines and donor regulations.
• Contribute to the development of country strategy and projects.

Financial management and support

• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports and all other financial documents required for EUMC programs in Mali, and compliant with donors;
• Ensure that all financial transactions are correctly recorded in a timely manner and on a monthly basis;
• Ensure that all necessary financial reports are sent to EUMC Headquarters by the monthly due dates;
• Prepare monthly expenditure forecasts for all EUMC Mali program/project activities;
• Perform regular monitoring of petty cash accounts, including spot checking of balances and payments;
• Develop and monitor monthly cash flow statements and ensure cash flow requirements are met at all times.
• Make the appropriate monthly advance requests to the EUMC head office;
• Review and process advance requests from partners/staff;
• Monitor and assist in the monthly clearance of partner/staff advances;
• Monitor and take appropriate action regarding receivables and deferred revenue/unearned balances with donors;
• Prepare documentation and provide schedules for external and internal auditors as needed;
• Coordinate, facilitate and support internal and external audits;
• Ensure that the monthly reconciliation of bank accounts and monthly closure of financial files are approved by the Country Director and sent to EUMC Headquarters;
• Review and implement necessary improvements to EUMC financial controls, systems and policies regarding financial management in Mali with the approval of EUMC Headquarters;
• Maintain and regularly update EUMC Mali’s accounting procedures and procurement manuals;
• Oversee an efficient accounting/financial filling system (including backup and storage of all EUMC financial files) for the EUMC Country Office;
• Ensure compliance with organizational decisions, policies and procedures;
• Provide financial advice to staff, partners and volunteers as appropriate;
• Oversee the purchase of vehicles, equipment and furniture for the Bamako office in accordance with established EUMC Mali procedures;
• Ensure the backup and storage of all EUMC financial files;
• Prepare original supporting documents to send to EUMC Ottawa on a monthly basis; including supervision of photocopying and filing;
• Record and maintain accurate and timely financial information in accounting records and report to EUMC Headquarters in a timely and reliable manner, including monitoring balances and payments;
• Ensure that the accounting software chart of accounts is maintained and aligned with that of the EUMC project accounts;
• Support Program staff, partners and volunteers in developing their accounting skills and, if necessary, organize training;

Pay

• Allocate salary and benefit expenses to the appropriate project account and general ledger codes;
• Process all tax returns and other related tax returns and report to government officials of relevant ministries on EUMC obligations;

Financial planning and control

• Support budget holders and ensure compliance with internal and external procedures and regulations and EUMC and donor guidelines regarding the financial administration of country operations and projects.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure control, monitoring and execution of all finance-related activities in the country.
• Conduct internal compliance and control assessments, identify and address risk areas, implement measures to minimize the risk of irregularities and coordinate audits, based on company compliance and audit procedures and in consultation with the country management team and project managers.

Budget planning and management

• Ensure effective development, management and monitoring of an annual budget for all programs/activities and maintain strict control of all expenditures through analysis of performance against budget;
• Support the Country Director and program staff in the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets;
• Process the supporting documents annexed to the partners’ reports and make recommendations;
• Support partners in managing risks that affect the regularity of planned expenditures;
• Perform all other tasks as assigned by the EUMC-Mali Country Director or the Head Office Finance team.

DIPLOMAS AND SKILLS:

• Ten (10) years of progressive experience in financial and operational management of programs with an annual budget of at least $500,000/year. Ideally with at least 7 years of experience with international organizations and international donors;
• Experience working with regulations governing the management of international nonprofit organizations and donors.
• Previous responsibility for maintaining general ledger and accounting schedules and reporting to an international headquarters office. Ideally 5 years of management experience in partnership with the State and local NGOs in Mali
• Proficiency in computer skills, spreadsheets, accounting software packages (such as QuickBooks and Great Plain), and MS Word, Excel, Power Point is required.
• Experience with electronic accounting systems and network implementation and management.
• Must be a Malian citizen residing in Mali.

SKILLS

• Ability to accomplish diverse and complex tasks.
• Ability to initiate, adopt and manage change.
• Ability to work within an international team in a participatory manner and great availability to support the accounting of project partners.
• Ability to think strategically, set goals and priorities, plan and manage workflow and human and material resources to achieve goals.
• Relevant experience supporting international volunteers is an asset.

Education/Training

• Recognized professional accounting designation (such as CA, ACCA)

LANGUAGES

• Strong French skills, both written and spoken. English would be an asset.

WHY WORK WITH THE EUMC?

Join us. Our work is important, cutting-edge and fast. We encourage curiosity, innovation and flexibility.

EUMC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse, cross-cultural workforce. We offer our employees exciting opportunities to practice their skills and gain experience while making a difference in the lives of young people around the world. WUSC employees work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunity and empowerment.

CANDIDACY

EUMC activities aim to balance inequalities and create sustainable development worldwide; The work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners must align with the values ​​and mission of the organization. EUMC encourages responsibility, respect, honesty and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse in any form. Successful candidates will be required to undergo a thorough criminal background check, where applicable. Applications from women are strongly encouraged.

EUMC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for applicants participating in all aspects of the selection process. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.