Finance and Administration Manager , Mandela Institute for Development Studies

Finance and Administration Manager

Mandela Institute for Development Studies

Closing date: December 31, 2013

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is a continental institute that seeks to address the short, medium, and long-term development challenges in Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

The mission for MINDS is to provide a forum for dialogue, information dissemination and networking, underpinned by rigorous research on different elements of “Africaness” in order to inform and influence policy and practice on governance, economic development and the evolution of African institutions.

MINDS seeks to appoint a Finance and Administration Manager, based in Johannesburg.

The person manage and optimise finance, administrative and human resources systems and processes within MINDS, in line with its policies, procedures and guidelines, the moral and ethical organisational principles, and legal requirements.

Responsibilities:

Annually review Policies and Procedures Manual, provide training to staff each time the Policies and Procedures are reviewed/amended and support the Executive Chairman to enforce them;
Monitor and report on the financial activity of MINDS and produce all financial reports (internal and external) and all financial information required by management and donors monthly and quarterly;
Produce and analyze year-end financial reports and financial statements, in order to meet external auditors’ requirements. Liaise with external auditors as required;
Oversee and co-ordinate the annual budgeting process;
Periodically review, coordinate and monitor budgets;
Support programme staff with budgets for fundraising proposals;
Scrutinize all expenses to ensure they are properly authorized and budgeted and comply with organisational policies prior to final processing in order to ensure that expenditure is properly authorized and complies with MINDS policies;
Ensure that deadlines are met, payments processed on time and the balance sheet (including bank accounts) well managed, and that financial (including VAT) and payroll reporting to government departments are prepared accurately and processed on time;
Supervise management of petty cash;
Minimise the possibility of fraud by means of internal checks, in compliance with laws and regulations, in order to ensure the security of MINDS assets;
Tightly control the flow of funds out of MINDS’ bank accounts in accordance with MINDS’ procedures, adhering to internal and external deadlines, in order to help ensure cost control and efficient operations;
Manage the full administrative function of the organisation;
Overseeing recruitment in collaboration with each department to select quality people, ensure that they are properly oriented on the vision and mission of MINDS, and by implementing training, development and appraisal programs that enhance their talents and skills;
Maintain effective personnel administration through implementing MINDS’ processes and policies, identify issues and problems of employees and communicate with them to formulate possible solutions and resolutions in coordination with the MD;
Manage and process employee compensation and manage and maintain employee records;
Monitor and keep up to date on employment legislation and regulations; and advise senior management on pay and conditions, retention rates and policies affecting employee relations, and advice line managers on performance and disciplinary issues.

Requirements:

Qualifications in accounting and management and at least seven years experience in financial management.
Experience in strategic financial and human resources planning;
Strong knowledge of Statutory Rules, laws and requirements related to both financial reporting and human resources/labour issues;
Strong knowledge of Pastel, Microsoft Office packages;
Fluency in written and spoken English;
Committed to furthering MINDS’ goals as well as the organizational development of MINDS;
Ability to inspire team spirit and resolve conflicts, able to work in a multicultural environmental through negotiation skills;
Capacity to prepare and present detailed and realistic financial and organisational development plans;
Ability to support and guide staff, work with sensitive information, work with minimal supervision, deal with stressful situations and meet deadlines;
Proactive and results orientation.

To apply, submit a CV and motivation letter with salary expectation to recruitment@minds-africa.org stating ‘MINDS PM-EG’ in the subject line.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

MINDS reserves the right not to appoint anyone for this position.

For more about the Mandela Institute for Development Studies, refer to www.minds-africa.org.