Financial Controller at GOAL

Contract Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
Reports to: Country Director

General Description of the Programme

GOAL has worked in Sierra Leone since 1998 and currently implements activities in Western Area Urban, Kenema, and Kambia Districts from its head office in Freetown and regional offices in Kambia and Kenema. The GOAL Sierra Leone programme contributes to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of market systems based, multi-sectoral, integrated programmes health systems strengthening, water, sanitation & hygiene, and girls empowerment interventions. GOAL places a strong focus on accountability, and mainstreams gender, child protection, HIV and environment across all programs and operations.

Overview of the role

The Financial Controller is responsible for the financial management, internal control systems, management of funds, and reporting requirements of the organization. The successful candidate will ensure timely submission of required donors reports, monthly management accounts to GOAL Dublin, statutory reports and other ad hoc reporting to relevant authorities, as well as budget preparation and monitoring of the programme. As a key member of the senior management team, the Financial Controller will contribute to the overall development and running of the country programme

People Management and SMT membership

• Report directly to Country Director in country, maintaining oversight of the GOAL Sierra Leone finances. Work closely with the Finance Director in Dublin and other SMT members in country to provide guidance and oversight of the finance function.
• Providing leadership direction, and capacity building support for the in-country Finance Team.
• Providing training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding GOAL’s financial procedures and internal controls, and programme management tools.
• Ensuring GOALs values and policies, including accountability and equality, are reflected in the work of the Finance Team.

Financial Management

• Prepare monthly management accounts for approval by Country Director for submission to Dublin adhering to the strict reporting deadlines as set by the Global Finance Director
• Ensure proper financial systems, in Freetown head office and in the field offices (both GOAL’s and its partners) are in place and implemented to accurately record all expenditure.
• Liaise with legal advisers in Sierra Leone and HQ, as well as with local accountants & auditors relating to GOAL Sierra Leone’s reporting and tax payments.
• Ensure compliance with GOALs standard accounting procedures and policies across the Sierra Leone programme and actively monitor internal controls to minimize risk to the organization. In particular ensure appropriate cash management procedures are in place and operating effectively.
• Ensure preparation and retention of documentation to facilitate the annual external audit, donor audits, internal audits and revenue audits.
• Review monthly and quarterly donor status reporting for submission to GOAL Head Office, Dublin, adhering to strict deadlines.
• Oversee all cash management, including cash counts and cash transfers to field sites and partners in cooperation with the Programmes & Logistics team ensure that GOAL Iraq is in compliance with all relevant donor and internal guidelines.
• Maintain and keep updated Sierra Leone Finance Manual with any approved exceptions to the standard GOAL worldwide Finance Manual, including a summarized and simplified finance and logistics manual for use by project managers and other field based staff.

Donor finance

• Ensure cost allocations basis among donors are reasonable in line with GOAL recommended methods.
• Review financial reporting to donors and other regulatory bodies, adhering to strict deadlines, coordinating with local legal and accounting advisors as appropriate, Review the financial sections of donor proposals, budgets and reports.
• Review GOAL annual and quarterly rolling budgets.
• Monitor and assist program managers with the financial management of programme budgets including expenditure forecasting, and ensuring the Budget Monitoring Tool (BMT) is completed in a timely manner.

Improving financial capacity

• Manage/supervise and work closely with local financial, administrative and partner staff.
• Managing and building capacity on financial systems for GOAL partners and GOAL SL staff
• Reviewing MOUs and contracts for suppliers and vendors engaged with the programme
• Responsibility for ensuring local compliance with the employee tax deductions, that all relevant statutory deductions are made from the employees’ salaries and paid out to the appropriate authorities, coordinating with local legal, accounting, and human resource advisors as appropriate.
• Provide support to human resources on personnel and staff issues which have financial implications.
• Any other duties as mutually agreed with the Country Director and the GOAL Global Finance Director

Requirements (Person Specification)

Essential

• Qualified accountant. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.
• At least five years’ experience, with at least one of these overseas.
• At least one year’s team management experience
• Willingness and ability to work in a pressurized environment, producing work of high quality to strict deadlines.
• Experience in dealing with institutional donors such as DFID, USAID, EC, UN, private foundations. Familiarity with donor rules and regulations (Particularly EU, Irish Aid, USAID).
• Flexible and reliable, with excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills (English)
• Strong IT skills and systems experience – Advanced Excel experience and SAGE experience is highly desirable.
• Strong experience liaising with governmental/local authorities and other NGOs
• ;Culturally sensitive and empathic to others, with a ‘can do’ attitude.

Our package includes a competitive salary, health and travel insurance and 20 days annual leave. Additional benefits are available after 12 months of service.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

General Terms and Conditions

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.