Regional Finance Director - Nairobi, Kenya

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organizations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives.

The East, West and Central Africa Regional covers Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The Regional Finance Director will be responsible for comprehensive financial, IT and Logistical management in the East, West and Central Africa Region as well as Country Offices under the region.

Specifically he/she will provide high level financial support and advice to regional, country director and finance managers, focusing on financial strategy, financial planning and budgeting, staff management, partner and staff capacity building and contracts management.

The post hold will have a bachelor’s degree in finance and an accounting professional qualification. He/she must be a member of ICPA (K), ACA or ACCA.

The incumbent will have 5 years working experience in an INGO preferably in a regional position, extensive working experience with wide range of donors in a multicultural setting and good working knowledge of SUN accounting system.

He/she will have outstanding leadership, teambuilding, interpersonal, communication, planning, organizing and performance management skills including mentoring and capacity building.

Knowledge of statutory requirements in countries of operation as well as ability to travel within a short notice is essential to this role.

Job Title : Regional Finance Director
Department : Finance & Administration

Location : Nairobi, Kenya
Responsible To : Regional Director

Responsible For : Nairobi office Finance Manager, Regional Management Accountant and Senior Administrative Officer

Relations with Others: close working relationship with EWCARDC Management Team, Country Directors, Country Finance Managers, UK Finance Team

Purpose:

• To ensure comprehensive and effective financial, IT and logistics management in the regional and country offices of EWCARDC.
• Provide high level support and advice to Regional and Country Directors, to focus on areas of risk including gaps ¡n financial performance & funding and coordinate with UK finance on global financial matters.
• The person will monitor, support and train finance & contract management staff in regional and country offices
• Monitoring will be carried out at appropriate level according to risk

Responsibilities:

1.1 Staff Management

• Line management of direct repartees with responsibility for the general management, appraisals, training and development of these staff.
• Indirect management of Country Finance Managers
• Arrange thorough induction and continuing development of Country Finance Managers ,the Nairobi office finance Manager and the Regional Accountant
• Develop a strong senior finance management team for the region

1.2 Regional Financial Strategy

• Lead EWC Regional Finance Team in supporting the Regional and Country Directors by delivering financial aspects of Regional Strategy
• Engage actively within the International Regional Finance Team
• Support Regional and Country Directors in risk management

1.3 Financial Planning & Budgeting

• Co-ordinate annual budgeting process, carry out country level reviews and maintain oversight of funding requirements
• Provide support to programme management in project budget development and financial monitoring

1.4 Support to International Offices

• Work with the finance staff to ensure regional and country offices work to agreed standards of financial management, highlighting areas of concern and making recommendations and developing plans for how these needs can be met.
• Provide support and advice to Country Offices on the development of local financial procedures.
• Support the Country Office in the development of partner organisations, ensuring that appropriate financial systems are implemented.
• Develop risk based process for to review donor budgets and reports

1.5 Grant management

• Ensure compliance and understanding of donor terms throughout the Region
• Monitor high and medium risk contract

1.6 Cash management

• Oversee banking arrangements in the Region ensuring compliance with HelpAge International policies
• Ensure strong cash management is in place across region including partners

1.7 Management Accounting

• Lead in the timely preparation of the EWCARDC consolidated annual budget and mid year financial review
• Ensure each country and regional office projects maintain and review project monitoring report and Management accounts.
• Circulate and discuss with MT, monthly regional management accounts and their implications according monthly time table

1.8 Financial Management

• Ensure country offices understand and are well prepared to meet local financial reporting requirements
• Ensure strong financial controls are in place across the Region
• During field visits assess the adequacy of services provided by finance staff to sub-office, field based staff, and partners and follow-up on financial, grant/contract management, internal controls and other program support needs identified.
• Liaise and communicate with London finance team and program officer to ensure good flow of information, including raising awareness areas of risk or concern

1.9 Others — Administration and Procurement

• To work closely with other members of the Management Team in taking overall responsibility for the activities and performance of EWCARDC
• To ensure budget holders receive appropriate financial training and information to allow then effectively manage their budgets, to give financial and administrative training to EWCARDC staff as required, and to provide financial support, advise and training for the development of effective financial systems among partner and member organisations to ensure that grants managed by HelpAge are used effectively and for the purposes given
• To ensure that appropriate procurement policies and procedures are followed and an asset register for the EWCARDC is maintained, and all assets are adequately insured against all risks.
  Other Features of the Job (Working conditions etc)
• The position is based in Nairobi with an expectation of at least 25% of time spent in Country Offices.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a professional accounting qualification
• Member of recognised professional financial body(ICPA(K), ACA,ACCA)
• Extensive experience of wide range of donors including USAID and EC
• At least 5 years experience in an international NGO preferably a regional position with a multi-cultural setting
• Good working knowledge of SUN accounting system or equivalent.
• Ability to work independently and make rational strategic and routine decisions.
• Experience of managing and supporting teams working remotely
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Planning and organization skills
• Outstanding leadership and team building skills
• Performance management skills including mentoring and capacity building
• Excellent command of English and Kiswahili both written and oral
• Knowledge of statutory requirements (KRA, NGO Act, Kenyan Employment Act, other relevant labour laws) of host country
• Willingness to travel at short notice

Desirable:

• Experience of managing finance in a rapid onset emergency response

To apply for this position, please send an updated CV of not more than three pages, a covering letter, explaining how you meet the criteria for this role, and attached equal opportunities form

(http://www.helpage.org/download/4da2e33539def)

to the Regional Human Resource Coordinator on helpage@helpage.co.ke by 19th September, 2012 clearly indicating the position you are applying for on the subject of your email.