Finance Manager at Cedar Consulting Ltd

Responsibilities of the Finance Manager

Investment Readiness

• Provide financial analysis, accounting and business model review support to clients in the context of supporting climate technology innovators;
• Oversee markets feasibility studies and CIC investment roadmaps;
• Development of financial and statistical investment models to support investment in green tech innovations;
• In charge of the investment readiness development program:
• Educate and inform startups about the fundraising journey;
• Use a mix of high touch, online and in-person delivery models to teach business model articulation and build investment collateral;
• Analysis of each participating client and a need assessment carried out to decide what gaps need to be filled to make them “Investment Ready”;
• A review of the business plan with an investor’s mindset;
• Preparation of revenue generation models and Financial models that capture different business cycles (sensitivity analysis/assumptions);
• Preparation of the Investor pitch / slide deck ;
• Justifiable request/ask on funding;
• Coaching on “Selling” strategy;
• Exit strategies ;
• Organization of a mock Pitch Night and the eventual Pitch Night;
• Run high quality showcase events for exposure to investors, funders and sector experts; and
• Create useful connections across the value chain.
• Liaising with early stage investment fund managers to facilitate financing to KCIC’s innovations;
• Provide guidance in interacting with potential SME innovators to originate new
• investments for the CIC;
• Attract growth equity and venture capital by proactively developing CIC’s pipeline of investors/financiers;
• Oversee provision of late stage liquidity services to supported incubates;
• Source and support investor programs including peer-to-peer learning;
• Identify economic and industry trends, and customer demands;
• Advice on capital management, and financing options;
• Establishing and evaluating profit plans; and
• Develop strategy for follow-on financing for “successful” POC Cases.
• Grants Administration
• Responsible for overseeing and ensuring the effective management of all grant activities in the Proof of Concept (POC) funding;
• Strict adherence to the POC eligibility & evaluation criteria;
• Educate project and project support staff on donor requirements, operational issues, regulations, policies/procedures, as it relates to financial management of assigned projects; and
• Ensure funds are disbursed in accordance with the signed Grant Agreement.
• Lead and consolidate budget preparation and budget modifications;
• Work closely with project site teams on preparing amendments to an existing Grant Agreement for approval;
• Monitor project expenditure on a monthly basis and track budget versus actual project data;
• Evaluate internal control issues affecting project implementation and troubleshoot;
• Conduct risk assessment reviews for projects proposed for POC grant award/ engage experts to evaluate a POC application
• Ensure timely and effective grant disbursement and management.

Key Competencies of the Finance Manager

• Minimum 8 years’ of relevant experience and knowledge in clean-tech entrepreneurship sector, new venture initiation or lean start-up methodology with 5 years’ in a management/leadership capacity;
• Commitment, drive and self-motivation, with a passion for ‘this space’ and desire to help scale this businesses;
• Ability to work with independence, ambiguity and flexibility;
• Significant local knowledge and networks;
• Effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to think strategically and creatively;
• Good negotiation, mentorship and coaching skills; and
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.

Person specifications and Qualifications

• Post Graduate Degree in Business related areas;
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business related degree; and Professional Certification in Accounting or Financial Analysis certification such as CPA, ACCA, CISA, ICM, GARP or CFA.