War Child UK Finance and Operation Support Manager

Background

War Child works with children who, as a result of conflict, live with a combination of poverty, exclusion and insecurity.

These children might include street children, child headed households, children conscripted into armed groups, and children who have been put in prison.

Our mission is to support and improve the care and protection of children and young people who live with a combination of insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worse conflict-affected places. We look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war.

This is a vision that can only be realised through the collective actions of children themselves, communities and their leaders, organisations like War Child, governments and key decision makers.

Over the next five years War Child will develop its organisational capability to increase its beneficiary reach from 5 to 10 conflict affected fragile states.

War Child UK started work in DRC in 2003 and has since been involved in activities in Kinshasa and North Kivu provinces. WCUK has been targeting children and youth affected by the continuous conflicts and is contributing to other protection activities such as early warning, capacity building, reintegration, coordination and rapid response of child protection.

Description of the Role

The role of the Finance and Operation Support Manager (FOSM) is to ensure the running of the operation effectively and efficiently, so as to enable programme staff and other stakeholders to carry out the War Child Programme. In this capacity the FOSM must ensure transparent and reliable processes and generate management information for the stakeholders.

The most important responsibility is budget management and tracking, as well as donor reporting.

All other tasks will be supported by in-country staff with the assistance from the CD.

Key responsibilities

Financial Management & Administration: Leads on all financial management and reporting across the DRC programme, including advising and supporting the CD in maintaining efficient financial control.

Logistics: Enhances systems and guidelines for the logistics department of the mission on procurement procedures, store control; equipment, radio & vehicle use and maintenance, fuel tracking, etc

Information Technology & Communication (ICT): Responsible for management and maintenance of IT and communications (laptops, printers, telephone and other means related to Information Technology and Communication

Human Resource Management: Ensure that the National Staff Human Resources Management (HRM) policies (HRM instruments, systems and practices) are aligned with local laws and are effectively practiced and adhered to

Capacity building staff & local partners: Build capacity of the support staff in the country office through on-the-job training as well as organized training programmes and workshops.

Contractual Terms

Position: Fixed term Contract of 12 months with possible extension dependent on funding

Salary: £26,000 – £29,000 (gross, dependent on experience)

Probation: 6 months

Leave: 30 days pa, increasing by one day for each year’s service up to a maximum of 5 additional days

Benefits: Shared Accommodation (can be discussed), Per Diem, Rest and Recuperation (R&R), Private & Emergency Medical Insurance as per WC Policy The Finance and Operations Support Manager position is not a family posting with War Child not making financial provision; If the candidate would want to take family member, this would have to be discussed as to security logistics.

Person Specific Requirements

Work Experience and Knowledge

Experience in a management position within an international (NGO) environment, preferably in field locations of a developing country and/or (post) conflict area;

At least 5 years of first-hand experience across financial management and reporting, logistic management and procedures (including maintenance), IT (computer, network, communication means) and personnel management;

Experience in HR administration and the development of HR policies;

Rigorous budget and expenditure management

Arange of computerised accounting and reporting packages,

living and working in complex security contexts;

Excellent knowledge of and ability to use Excel and MS Office

Education:

Educated to a minimum of Bachelors Degree.

Fluency (written and verbal) in English and French essential.

CCAB qualification (ACA, CA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) will be considered

Legal :

Eligible to work in DRC and travel to the countries in which War Child operates

Desirable:

Experience of internal and/or external audit practises and procedures

Knowledge/experience of working with major grant giving institutions such as DfID, UNICEF, EC and

Experience, in a comparable position, in setting up a programme and office

Knowledge of QuickBook or equivalent accounting package(s)

Experience of working in DRC or similar country

Experience of security management

Qualities:

Excellent team player comfortable with a hands on approach

Able to work in a small, dynamic organisation with limited resources.

Excellent planning and organizational capabilities;

Decision making capabilities to address tactical and operational issues

Strong focus on results and cost-conscious

Calm under pressure

A commitment to participatory approaches

Ability to be administratively self-sufficient o Commitment to War Child’s aims, values and mission

How to apply:

Download the Application Pack and complete the Application Form and send it to bolatito@warchild.org.uk . (Please note that individual CVs will not be accepted).

All completed application forms must reach War Child by 5:00 PM GMT on Wednesday 20 February 2013

Due to limited resources War Child, HR will contact only the shortlisted candidates

First round interviews will be held during week commencing 25 February 2013.

If selected for second round interviews, these candidates will be expected to complete a short written assessment test before the formal interview.

Any offer made will be conditional on receipt of 3 favourable written references. (from your most recent employer, any other previous employer and a character reference). In case clarification is required post the receipt of complete reference forms, War Child reserves the right to call the referees.

The successful applicant will be expected to undergo a CRB check, a medical check for overseas travel purposes, be compliant and sign up to War Child’s Child Protection Policy prior to a final offer being made.

Start date: April 2013 (induction in the UK before field deployment)