Save the Children Head of Financial Planning and Reporting Job in Kenya

Save the Children International

Vacancy: Head of Financial Planning and Reporting

For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children’s lives in more than 120 countries. 

We

are the world’s largest independent child rights organization,

underpinned by a vision in a world in which every child attains the

right to survival, protection, development and participation. 

Our

mission to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children,

and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

 

Save

the Children is an organization for talented people with different

backgrounds and perspectives. We are proud that our people are

representative of the children we work with and we thrive on our

diversity. 

 

We are an equal opportunity organization

dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration,

Creativity and Integrity. 

Our culture is embedded in

these values, along with a strong commitment to our Child Safeguarding

Protocol, ensuring that all representatives of Save the Children

demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children both in

their private and professional lives.

Save the Children Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office is looking to recruit for the following position:

Job Title: Head of Financial Planning and Reporting
 

Team / Programme: Regional Finance Team
 

Location: East & Southern Africa Regional Office – Nairobi (preferred) or SCI Country Office
 

Grade: TBC
 

Contract Type: Fixed term – 2 Years
 

Child Safeguarding: Level 2: either the role holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or they will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).
 

Role Purpose: The Head of Financial Planning and Reporting provides financial leadership and expertise in management accounting, financial planning, budgeting, reporting and analysis to country finance teams, working closely with senior finance staff to ensure timely, quality completion of all cyclical processes including planning, budgeting, quarterly reporting and KPI reviews, and providing analysis and decision support to Country Finance Directors and Regional Senior Leadership Team.
In this role you will support the capacity building efforts of country office finance teams, provide oversight of country offices ensuring compliance with SCI/donor policies and procedures including quality and timely reporting, regional consolidation and monitoring actions around improvements, performing quality financial planning and reporting reviews and providing gap filling for key finance positions in country offices as required.
 

You will proactively work with the regional finance director on key issues and opportunities and find and implement solutions at the country office level.
 

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal job description and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
 

Scope of Role:
 

Reports to: Regional Finance Director, East and Southern Africa
 

Dimensions: You must be articulate and comfortable with a diverse role covering a variety of country offices, whilst working closely with high-intellect stakeholders. To thrive in this role, you must be highly driven and a self-starter to achieve excellence. 

You must be comfortable business partnering with key stakeholders to influence and bring positive changes in the financial planning and budgeting in country offices in the region. 

You will be spear-heading the financial periodic forecast, annual budgeting process, variance analysis, award financial monitoring and assigned special projects. 

This function acts as the analytical engine of the organisation to provide insights and support ‘optimal’ business decision making. 

You must be comfortable business partnering with diverse stakeholders to influence and bring positive changes in reporting and financial analysis capability of the country offices.

Number of direct reports: Finance Analyst – Planning and Reporting
 

Key Areas of Accountability:

• Custodian of and expert in all SCI financial planning and reporting policies, procedures, processes and guidance. Support COs in budgeting and forecasting exercises. Oversee and manage the continued development of budgeting, financial forecasting and modelling tools. Provide assistance to COs in preparation of their operational and donor budget and forecasting. Provide policy clarifications and assistance in understanding and complying with donor policy.


• Conduct comprehensive reviews of CO financial reports to include: non-award funded contributions, actual expenses vs. budget, etc… Identify and implement preventive and corrective actions to address issues found during the reviews. Perform risk-based reviews of Award Management System opportunities and proposals. Ensure COs address the issues in a timely manner. Provide relevant and timely information to management in COs, regional office and the centre. Consolidate and compile regional periodic financial reports, commentaries and ad-hoc reporting/analysis as and when needed. Prepare presentations to senior managers.


• Work with Country Finance Directors to ensure succession plans are in place for all key financial planning and reporting positions and gaps are minimised and filled pro-actively. Assist COs in capacity building in financial planning, analysis and reporting. Develop training materials and quick reference guides where necessary and conduct tailored training programs for CO finance staff.


• Carry out regular support visits to countries. Conduct portfolio reviews, provide technical support, conduct refresher trainings, review capacity of finance and award teams and ensure standard tools are used. Provide detailed feedback to the Country Finance Directors and senior managers.


• Networking: promote and coordinate mechanisms for active collaboration amongst staff in COs, region, centre, members, partners and individuals whose work impacts SCI’s risk.


• Contribute to process improvements and initiatives that achieve financial and award management KPIs and essential standards


• with programme operations and award management to improve budgeting and reporting at a project level including financial interpretations of detailed implementation plans, simplified budget variance monitoring and streamlined donor reporting.


• Provide decision support for operations, logistics, awards and human resources with high quality reports and analysis.


• Interface with award management on all financial matters


• Interface with logistics on analysis, reporting and cost efficiency


• Interface with Agresso support and development team on analysis, reporting and development.


• Represent East and Southern Africa CO perspectives on related global working groups


• Manage the performance and development of 1 direct report.


• Cover for senior regional finance colleagues as and when required.


• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Behaviours (Values in Practice)
 

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values


• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same


• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others


• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters


• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength


• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions


• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications and Experience
 

Essential

• Accounting, commerce or business administration degree from a leading university and relevant professional qualifications (CPA/CA/ACCA).


• Computer fluency; highly competent using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and experience working in complex financial systems like Sun systems, Agresso, PeopleSoft etc.


• Experienced in preparing both Financial & Management Accounts, including overseas offices (knowledge of working of charitable organisations is preferred, with IFRS knowledge important)


• At least 5 years of country office financial management experience in complex organizations with 2 years of relevant experience at regional level in similar capacity.


• Post qualification experience with financial processes, ideally within an international context


• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment with high levels of change and quick turnaround times, whilst delivering to the highest standards.


• Ability to synthesize information and propose solutions; to work independently and judge when to ask for advice or inputs.


• Excellent communication skills (written and oral English), including the ability to communicate and present to key stakeholders at all levels within the organisation.


• Excellent attention to detail; planning, management and coordination skills.


• Cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.


• Strategic finance business partner with strong influencing skills, sharp business acumen and sound judgment.


• Personal circumstances and commitment to travel to all country offices in the region; 25-35% travel.


• Commitment to Save the Children values.

Desirable

• Two years of relevant experience at regional level in a similar capacity.


• Strong relationship builder with a proven track record in forming good business partnerships.


• Experience in operational project and budget management


• Knowledge of SCI’s key institutional donor policies and regulations


• Strong analytical, problem solving and financial modelling skills.

How to Apply

Please send a copy of your CV with a cover letter to EA.recruitment@savethechildren.org

Application closes 4th November 2015 at 5:00pm.

We

work with children, communities and governments all over the world and

we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come

from and how you identify yourself. We need to keep children safe so our

selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those

who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts.

All successful applicants will therefore be required to complete a

Police Check and must sign onto our Child Safeguarding Policy and

organizational Code of Conduct.