Regional Finance Director VFI

VisionFund is seeking a Regional Finance Director to lead and manage the execution of VisionFund’s strategy in the MEER region. It is critical to work with the regional VFI operations staff as well as the World Vision teams responsible for the overall ministry delivery strategies and programs to ensure that the microfinance work supports the transformational development initiatives, providing sustained economic development in the Area Development Programs (ADP’s), and where the poor have been identified as needing assistance. The role will represent all regional MFI finance issues and will work with Regional Director (Operations), VFI Senior Financial Specialist along with MFI finance managers and staff to ensure proper controls, policies, procedures, and reporting standards are in place. Measures and targets will be established and agreed for each MFI and quarterly reviews held to establish progress and decide upon adjustments and redirection of resources. All efforts will be made to provide regional solutions to improve MFI finance processes and reporting quality. Recognising that VFI has changing priorities within the MEER Region, the Regional Finance Director will be required to work closely with the Regional Director (Operations), the Director of Global Funding and Corporate Finance and the VFI CFO to implement the strategic initiatives which flow from these changing priorities.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and maintain a strong control environment:
• Monitor performance of MFIs through thorough review all monthly financial reports, and recommend corrective action as necessary
• Perform on-site financial reviews and due diligence for MFIs, as needed
• Work with the local CFO and finance staff of each MFI to continually improve accouning and reporting processes
• Assist MFIs in external and internal audit processes,
• Report to the VFI CFO any concerns over MFI performance, risks or reporting issues
• Provide timely, and responsive but prioritized consulting services for MFI finance issues and concerns,
• Ensure that MFI’s are in compliance with all external lender covenants and financial requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring all MFIs have appropriate financial controls and are in compliance with local laws, regulatory requirements and WV/VFI policies, procedures and directives
• Assist in training MFI managers, both individually and in group sessions.
• Special projects as considered necessary and appropriate. For example, assisting in finance director transitions and fraud investigations.
  
  MFI Plans and Budgets:
• Working with VFI finance staff, assist with the coordination and development of the long range plan and annual budget for each of the MFI’s and the consolidated region,
• Ensure that accurate MFI forecasts and budgets are prepared on-time, provide feedback and assistance to MFIs as needed
• Recommend regional targets and programs to meet local WV and VFI goals,
• Ensure that plan/budget variances are well understood by the MFI’s and VFI management and any corrective action are planned and undertaken.
  
  Strategic Initiatives:
• Support the introduction of third party investors in to MFIs by ensuring that realistic business plans are prepared and are subject to rigorous scrutiny
• Assist in preparing Investment Memoranda for circulation to potential investors
• Help to co-ordinate investor due diligence exercises and provide an orderly flow of approved financial information
• Provide all reasonable assistance to the Corporate Finance team running individual investment transactions
  
  Personal and Staff Development:
• As a Christian VisionFund leader, develop others encouraging excitement and growth both in their careers but also in spiritual growth,
• Develop clear individual staff goals with manageable and measurable targets and ongoing feedback and support to achieve them,
• Ensure staff and self- training programs are in place and implemented,
• Attendance at chapel and devotions.
  

Will carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned, including administrative and planning functions both within and outside the region.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

REQUIRED:

The key ability VisionFund is seeking is solid accounting and finance knowledge and ability to both communicate and train others in their execution. Person should be able to softly direct but willing to be strong in conviction when standards are being breached. The successful candidate will have experience spotting improvement opportunities and making those happen in a complex environment. In addition, the following specific knowledge, skills and abilities are required, and may have been acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience or on-the-job training.


• Given the need to control financial risk within the MFI’s, it is imperative that this individual will have deep financial analysis and accounting understanding, preferably with some audit background,
• Thorough knowledge and extensive experience (min. 7 years) in microfinance and/or banking.
• This person will have understanding of balance sheet risk management including interest rate risk, liquidity risk and foreign exchange risk as well as bank funding processes and contracting,
• Solid understanding of financial reporting and performance measurements and planning/forecasting,
• Able to balance Christian values with commercial practices,
• Degree in finance or accounting, MBA or CPA preferred,
• Good project management and organizational skills,
• Consulting skills to be able to analyze, recommend solutions, mentor and direct people,
• Balanced and respectful approach to groups’ differing responsibilities. Sensitive to complexity of WV direction, MFI board independence and shareholder requirements,
• Good communication and influence skills in both oral and written forms,
• Effective coach, able to train people in VisionFund policies and procedures formally and informally,
• Must be experienced in managing effective support of accounting computer software systems.
• Must be able to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and projects,
• Must be cross culturally sensitive as will work with associates from every area of the world,
  
PREFERRED:
• Ideally has some experience of M&A

Regional Finance Director VFI