Ubungo Power Plant Career Advancement Opportunity: Chief Financial Officer

Ubungo Power Plant
Career Advancement Opportunity

Chief Financial Officer

An opportunity has arisen for an exciting position in Songas, a well respected employer.

The Company

Songas' mission is to supply clean, reliable and cost effective power to its customers.

The Company is responsible for developing, managing, constructing and operating the Songo Songo Gas to Electricity Project.

Songas has a 250 km long pipeline that transports gas from Songo Songo Island to its plant in Ubungo and therefore looks to maintain strong relationships with communities influenced by this activity. The US$ 320 million project supplies about 40% of Tanzania's electricity.

The Company encourages creativity and ingenuity and looks for its employees to quickly take responsibility for their areas of expertise. In return the Company aims to provide individuals with a stimulating career along with opportunities for training and development.

The lead shareholder in Songas is Globeleq, a rapidly growing power company based in London, with operating facilities throughout East Africa.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Job purpose:

• The role is responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of Company operations.
• The ideal person will provide strategic leadership, management and coordination in the administrative, business planning, accounting, procurement and budgeting efforts of the Company.
• The position requires an individual with good business acumen, strong financial skills, detailed knowledge of internal control mechanisms and personal drive.
• Recruit, supervise and develop a high performing departmental team;
• Develop and implement short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Manage the financial interface with Globeleq's head office;
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal and financial regulations;
• Oversee the Company's accounting practises including budgeting, financial modelling, financial reporting, tax and aur!it'unctions;
• Establish and maintain sound ajcounting systems, ensure appropriate internal controls are in place and are followed;
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standards and UK GAAP;
• Analysis and delivery of accurate cash flows, forecasts and monthly management accounts to required recipients within required deadlines ;
• Interact with other managers to provide consultative support to planning initiatives through financial and management information analyses, reports, and recommendations;
• Lead the preparation of and monitor annual and five year budgets for the business;
• Understand and interpret the complex project finance documentation and advise management on relevant aspects;
• Develop and maintain relationships with The World Bank (WB), European Investment
• Bank (EIB), Ministry of Finance, Songas' investors and other stakeholders;
• Supervise the Company's investment of surplus cash;
• Other reasonable duties requested from time to time.

Qualifications and Requirements

The successful candidate will most likely have the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Professionally qualified accountant ideally with CPA, ACA or any relevant qualification; Alongside the Managing Director able to make ongoing commercial and strategic decisions;
• Advanced knowledge of project finance concepts; A capacity for implementing modern financial management systems; Strong leadership experience with the ability to contribute to key business decisions in areas outside of finance;
• Minimum of 8 years working experience in a senior role in finance; Experience of working with international businesses;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively introduce and drive change in a multicultural and diverse working environment; First rate presentation and communication skills;
• Proficient in current office software applications and corporate IT system; Fluent in Swahili and English.

Key Evaluation Criteria

• Strategic leadership, accuracy, organisational skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Track record of mentoring and developing team members;
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills (verbal and written);
• Project management skills;
• Analytical and financial modelling skills;
• Ability to present high level financial information to the Stakeholders including Songas'
• Board of Directors;
• Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule;
• Strong and proven knowledge of modern accounting systems and internal controls
• High level of integrity and strong work ethic.

Salary

Songas aims to be a premier employer, the remuneration package and benefits attached to the position will reflect this commitment as well as the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

Place of Work

• Your normal place of work will be Dar es Salaam.

Mode of Application / Deadline

Please submit your application consisting of:

A typewritten statement of not more than two A4 sheets giving your brief background and indicating why you qualify for the position; a curriculum vitae, certified copies of relevant training and professional certificates and full contact details of three referees who are willing to vouch for your professional background before the interview.

The deadline for submission of application is October 16th, 2009 at 1630hours.

Applications should be forwarded to:

Human Resources Manager
Songas Limited
P.O. Box 6342
Dar es Salaam.

Or hand delivered to Songas' offices at the junction of Mandela and Morogoro Roads, Ubungo Dar es Salaam.

Please indicate on the envelope the post as: "Chief Financial Officer"

Songas is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in People and Ideas.