Programme Finance Manager at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Background

The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programme is a 5-year, € 39 million project being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The project uses an inclusive Business Development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The programme will work with and through the private sector and supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of CSA-practices. It is driven by 3 pillars: i) adoption of CSA practices & technologies in arable crop production farming systems; ii) acceleration of investments and business growth in selected value chains; iii) improved enabling environment for scaling out of CSA. Interventions are centered on business cases which are derived from a thorough climate risk assessment and financial analysis of value chains in pulses, oilseeds, potatoes and grains. A climate smart business case matching grant facility aims to further improve access to finance and facilitate scaling. The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of SNV, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra and Rabobank, and is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).

The Programme Finance Manager has the responsibility to support and strengthen the project team in managing financial and non-financial data for the Climate Smart Agriculture Programme. S/he will ensure   accounting and reporting regulations using data and input from colleagues aimed at a complete and up to date insight on the financial performance of the programme. The position holder will also perform administrative work and maintain appropriate internal controls and financial records of the programme. S/he will collect, record (financial) data into systems, analyze, take appropriate actions in case of deviations, prepare the financial reports including HR and/or project related data to the donor and to SNV according the donor- and SNV project management, accounting- and control framework policies and procedures and under guidance and directions of the Programme Manager in order to ensure full administrative compliance, data accessibility and accurate insights at any time for the Programme. The Programme Finance Manager will work in close collaboration with the project and finance officers in the countries as well as with the Country Finance Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures monitoring and execution of financial and related activities in the 3 target countries e.g. annual budgeting, administration, procurement and logistics in line with all applicable legislations and regulations and applicable guidelines;
• Collects, reviews, analyses and interprets (trends in) financial and non-financial data, drafts financial and administrative reports on project/fund/donor financial and non-financial indicators, using the corporate reporting formats and within donor guidelines;
• Prepares and communicates on budgets, communicates and monitors procedures, guidelines and work instructions for financial administration for the programme;
• Checks and consolidates financial data for the programme/fund, ensures processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable, tax related requirements, carries out reconciliation of administrations, manages the ledger accounts as well as manages and maintains cash and liquidity levels, aligned to financial regulations, SNV financial standards and donor requirements;
• Provides financial data and analyses to relevant internal and external parties as input for further decision-making and handling as well as answers questions regarding financial administration and data, based on requests and procedures;
• Conducts internal compliance, identifies and addresses risk areas and implements measures to minimise the risk of irregularities in consultation with the Programme Manager;
• Monitoring of all financial transactions according to donor and SNV authorisations and procedures, especially the procurement regulations;
• Ensures accurate and timely financial reports to donor;
• Prepare, check and communicate forecasts and project depletion of the programme.

• Seasoned level of financial professional, with strong experience in Finance and audit and full understanding of the core financial and accountancy processes and can acts as discussion partner on project level for financial matters;
• Advanced financial degree and professional accounting qualifications. Masters’ in Business Administration (Accounting or Finance)
• At least 5-7 years at senior level in finance responsibilities for an international organisations or private institutions;
• Conceptual working and thinking level with several years of experience in finance and administration;
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of donor regulations and compliance issues related to management of donor funds;
• Experience in Grant accounting/management;
• Proven experience in risk management;
• Attention to details, preciseness in the execution of tasks, solution-oriented working approach and negotiation;
• Excellent communication and organisation skills, including the ability to articulate financial data to non-financial audience;
• Ability to establish and maintain working relations in a multi-cultural environment;
• Proficiency /Knowledge of Microsoft Office and skill in the use of Excel, including complex/compound spreadsheets and other accounting package is essential;
• Experience in SAP/SAP by Design system is a clear advantage;
• Excellent command of English language both written and spoken.

This is a full-time national role with the successful candidate being contracted on a 3-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.