Africa Regional Finance Manager

The Africa Regional Finance Manager will report to the Global Chief Financial Officer, and work in partnership with the Chapter Finance Manager at HQ and the Deputy Director of Global Operations.

This position will serve as liaison between HQ (Headquarters) and Africa offices located in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Sudan on a variety of finance functions.

Frequent travel to HQ and each of the Women for Women International (WfWI) African country offices is to be expected.

The position is responsible for the training and support of local finance managers in Africa, including training on QuickBooks accounting software, WfWI’s finance manual, all finance and procurement policies and procedures and the global monthly closing process.

The primary goal of this function is to build adequate financial capacity and internal controls in the Africa field offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with HQ finance, Country Directors, Deputy Director of Global Operations and designated in-country finance representatives to ensure that financial systems, including policies and procedures, are developed, continuously monitored and updated and are compliant with local laws and in line with HQ standards.
• Coordinate with Policy and Compliance staff to direct internal and external audit efforts towards areas of greatest risk.
• Mentor, coach and develop country office finance staff. Identify training and development opportunities. Develop training materials and content for annual finance manager meetings.
• Monitoring and support of finance managers during the monthly and annual close process, helping to achieve 100% on-time submissions and minimal coding and compliance errors.
• Train and coach finance managers on the grants management process, including budget development, compliance, ongoing grants management, forecasting, etc.
• Provide recruitment support to Country Directors as country office finance vacancies occur.
• Provide training and on-boarding support for finance staff and temporarily assume direct financial management role for unexpected vacancies.
• Recommend external trainings and manage/lead internal training on finance issues and processes for both finance staff and non-finance staff on the senior management team, including the Country Directors.
• Recommend best practices to create opportunities for information flow between HQ and country offices, as well as look for opportunities for inter-country information sharing.
• Become familiar with HQ Policies and Procedures and participate in the development of new policies, with particular focus on representing the field office perspective during the process (policies are practical, easily understood, etc.).
• Work with Country Directors, local leadership team and local finance staff to develop an effective annual budget process and an effective monthly financial review process.
• Provide Country Directors with feedback on local finance staff for annual performance evaluations.
• Work collaboratively with HQ Finance and the Deputy Director of Global Operations to develop a trip schedule and scope of work to communicate and train staff on new policies, improve areas of non-compliance with existing policies, solicit feedback on proposed new processes, participate in cross-functional special projects, etc.

Required Skills

• Desire and ability to frequently travel to HQ and country offices up to 90% of the time (position based in Africa, preferable in or near one of the existing 4 African program locations)
• Ability to work well and communicate effectively with others; role requires serving multiple constituencies and moving initiatives forward
• Superior interpersonal, organizational, planning and analytical skills are essential
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures relevant to global financial management is required
• Demonstrated ability to create and document financial policies and procedures is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop sound recommendations and effectively plan, direct and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in English required. Similar capabilities in French and Swahili highly desired.

Required Experience

• At least seven years in a financial management capacity entailing supervision and development of staff, management of accounting, budgeting and financial reporting, including management of multiple funding sources and US Government grants.
• Minimum of a Masters degree in Finance or Accounting
• CPA or ACCA designation desired

Job Location: Africa, To Be Determined

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Click here to apply online