Head of Finance at Education Development Trust - CfBT

Job Objectives:

• Overall responsibility for commercial oversight across the SSA Programme, including review and preliminary sign-off on all new proposals
• Oversee currency and cash flow management in each programme and consolidate to regional position.
• Quality assurance and consolidation of the local financial activities (Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Cash flow requirements) across all contracts.
• Lead, manage and motivate finance department ensuring appropriate advice, guidance and support is provided in line with best practice.
• Oversee the financial control environment across the Sub Saharan Africa Programme.
• Oversight of compliance in all territories, (local legislation, client and corporate)
• Support the establishment of programmes in new countries. (tax, local reporting etc.)
• Escalation point with clients on financial aspects of existing contracts.
• Maintain positive interpersonal and communication relationships with the head office and regional finance teams.
• First point of escalation with the Donors and Partner Institutions pertaining to the implementation of signed agreements
• Controlling and approving financial payments and obligations, within Delegation of Authority
• Assist and support the Regional Director and other senior staff as appropriate.

Business Development

• Provide support to the Regional Director, including managing the development of budgets for new projects and activities.
• Ensure that all new project budgets are prepared in accordance with Education Development Trust guidelines.
• Ensure that all budgets for new projects are approved in line with corporate guidelines before submission to the client.
• Provide an analysis of contribution for each new project.
• Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and the safe and effective operation of the organisation.

Person Specification:

Knowledge:

Essential

• Qualified accountant (CPA or ACCA – certified.)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance & Accounting), Economics or relevant areas of discipline.
• Excellent knowledge of financial ERP systems and how to use then in providing insight to financial decision making.
• Knowledge and experience of a financial role where building relationships and supporting non-finance professionals has been fundamental part of role.

Desirable

• Education sector experience
• Bid submission and support from a financial/commercial standpoint
• Knowledge and experience in Agresso system

Experience:

• Experience leading on financial aspects of multi-country, multi-donor and multi-currency contract management and providing advice on complex financial management.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in financial management in the international development sector with three in a similar capacity.
• Demonstrable evidence of strong financial and commercial understanding of managing large contracts and budgets, and the business acumen to monitor financial performance and achieve efficiencies.
• Proven experience of motivating & developing teams – including performance management & appraisals.
• DFID, USAID and EU, financial guidelines and regulations and sound judgment in applying them to diverse field based operations.
• Proven experience in ability to lead, influence and communicate with others
• A track record of achievement within a high pressured, results orientated role.

Skills:

• Well-developed strategic and analytical thinking skills.
• Excellent negotiating, influencing, communication and interpersonal skills with peers, reports and senior colleagues both within and outside the company.
• Well-developed managerial style with strong people performance and development capability.
• Highly numerate with strong analytical and problem solving ability
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to provide high quality service
• Strong organisational and time management skills, and ability to manage tasks with precise deadlines.
• Have a high degree of integrity, tact, diplomacy and corporate spirit
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately in a busy and demanding environment