TITLE: Regional Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

TEAM/PROGRAMME:

Regional Finance Team West and Central Africa

LOCATION:

Dakar, Senegal or home-based

GRADE: National grade 2

CONTRACT LENGTH: 2 years

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: 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 Analysis provides financial leadership and expertise in management accounting, financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and analysis to Country Office (CO) 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 CO finance teams, provide oversight of COs, ensure 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 COs as required.

You will proactively work with the Regional Finance Director on key issues and opportunities and find and implement solutions at the CO 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, West, and Central Africa

Dimensions:

You must be comfortable with a diverse role covering nine COs in the region. 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 COs in the region. You will be spearheading the annual budgeting process, periodic forecast, variance analysis, award financial monitoring, and assigned special projects. This function acts as the analytical engine of the organization to provide insights and support optimal business decision-making.

Number of direct reports: One Financial Analyst

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Custodian of an 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 modeling 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 center. Consolidate and compile regional periodic financial reports, commentaries, and ad-hoc reporting/analysis as and when needed. Prepare presentations to senior managers.

Carry out regular support visits to countries. Conduct portfolio reviews, provide technical support, conduct refresher training, review the 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, regions, centres, members, partners and individuals whose work impacts SCI’s risk profile.

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

Work 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 programmes, award management and supply chain departments on programme delivery, process improvement and troubleshooting.

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

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 the highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Accounting, commerce, or business administration degree from a leading university, or relevant professional qualifications (CPA/CA/ACCA)
• Computer fluency; highly competent in using MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and experience working in complex financial systems like SUN systems, Agresso, PeopleSoft, etc…
• At least five years of Country Office financial management experience in a complex organization
• Experienced in preparing both financial and management accounts (knowledge of the working of charitable organizations is preferred)
• Experience 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, including the ability to communicate and present to key stakeholders at all levels within the organization
• Ability to work in both English and French
• 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 COs in the region; around 25% travel
• Commitment to Save the Children values

Desirable

• Strong relationship builder with a proven track record in forming good business partnerships
• Experience in financial control frameworks, audit, and counter fraud
• Experience with complex excel-based forecasting systems
• Strong analytical, problem solving and financial modeling skills
• Two years of relevant experience at the regional level in a similar capacity

How to apply

Please follow this link to apply: https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YS50YW1iYS44MjkyNy4xMjE4NUBzYXZldGhlY2hpbGRyZW5hby5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20