Country Financial Controller

Role Purpose

As a member of Concern Sierra Leone Country Management Team, the Country Financial Controller (CFC) is responsible for the effective management of Concern Sierra Leone’s finance function. This will include ensuring internal controls are in place, managing the finance team, partner finance oversight, training, treasury management, financial planning and reporting. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring proper financial management and reporting on all grants received by Concern Sierra Leone.

Reports to: Country Director

Terms: Two-year Fixed Term, Full time, Accompanied, fully office based

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Salary: GB7 €51,861 - €57,623

Requirements: This role is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with regular travel to other programme locations within Sierra Leone.

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.
• Maintaining and monitoring an effective and efficient system of internal controls (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.
• Undertaking regular field visits to assess the financial systems in place and implement improvements wherever needed.
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the CD/Country Management Team advised of all situations that have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.
• Responsible for maintaining financial documents and back up at field level so that all transactions contain sufficient audit trail. This includes all back up details to the support cost allocation, donor reporting, quarterly and year-end reporting.

Financial Reporting and Donor Reporting

• Lead the preparation of new, annual & revised Country budget and donor budgets with the support of CD and budget holders and in line with strategic plans and organizational objectives including budget template preparation, consolidation of the budget packs, completion of the budget submission to Dublin complete the responses on budget feedback from Dublin jointly with Shared Services Accountant.
• Reconcile all balance sheet items on a monthly basis, in accordance with Concern Worldwide policies & procedures, with the support of International Accounting Services if applicable.
• Produce timely & accurate preparation of data for monthly management accounts for International Accounting Services, budget-holders, and Country Management to ensure that they can monitor the budget utilization and take appropriate action on any significant variances. Present comments and major variances to CMT
• Oversee the timely & accurate preparation of donor reports for external donors / agencies.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports for Concern’s Head Office (Financial Reporting Pack including country commentary) and deal with feedback from Head Office
• Maintain a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding and to ensure efficient and accurate reporting to donors, including donor compliance.

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Providing leadership and direction for the in-country Finance Team
• Develop a second layer of staff who can fill the gap whenever any position is vacant in the finance team
• Undertake specific training, capacity building and other relevant initiatives to ensure national staff perform their roles and responsibilities with accuracy and professionalism and also create the space for national staff to develop into credible candidates to fill vacant positions in the finance team and to provide strong cover for leave.
• Provide training and support to finance and non-finance staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures and internal controls
• Undertake financial training of budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls and making decisions based on financial reports.
• Ensure that Performance Development Reviews (PDRs) are completed for all country finance staff at least annually and that feedback on performance is provided routinely.

Budget, Financial Management and Compliance

• Responsible for overall financial management including participatory budget preparation, revision and monitoring and timely submission of Budgets and reports to HQ.
• Develop and implement work and expenditure plans and ensure that the country programmes are implemented within agreed and approved budget through undertaking regular budget monitoring of expenditure against budget.

Partnership Accounting

• Undertake the financial component of Concern Integrated Local Partner Assessment tool (CILPAT) with potential Partners on a timely and comprehensive basis in collaboration with Programmes and Systems departments.
• Summarise CILPAT findings and develop action plans to address financial weaknesses where partnership is workable with available resources.

Role Holder Requirements

• Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA)
• 3 years post qualification experience in Concern or a similar organization preferably as international staff
• Experience in developing staff capacity both on technical and management aspects
• Experience managing large and multi donor (especially ECHO, OCHA, etc.) programme budgets

We would also like:

• Knowledge of development issues and concepts
• Academic background of or strong practical experience in macro-economic and/or fiscal policy
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Good team worker
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• A good understanding of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word, Excel, communications systems and basic trouble shooting skills
• Familiarity with ERP systems including Unit4 (formerly Aggresso).
• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation
• Good communication and training / capacity building skills
• Proven organization, planning and management skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams
• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment