Financial Control Manager at Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)

Job description

Purpose of the position

To support the Finance team in the effective and efficient delivery of financial support to the DNDi Africa Regional Office (DNDi ARO) operations, projects, and clinical trials in the region and in the implementation of the finance control strategy for the region, with a strong emphasis on compliance, accounts management, and reporting activities; and geared towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of operations in line with DNDi ARO’s Quality Management System (QMS) framework.

Specific job responsibilities

• Internal Control System (ICS)
  • Ensure the ICS for financial management is appropriately implemented to manage financial risks and adhered to by all through:
  • Overseeing the implementation of all finance SOPs and continuously training staff members on the requirements of the procedures
    Reviewing purchase and payment documentation for consistency and alignment with approved budgets and SOPs and policies
    Identifying root causes of non-compliance with procedures and policies, and developing actions plans to mitigate and tracking progress
    Reviewing finance SOPs to ensure relevance with current operational needs and propose amendments/development of new ones where applicable
• External Compliance
  • Ensure Compliance With Local Statutory Laws And Legislations Through
  • Developing and leading the implementation of controls to ensure all statutory tax obligations (e.g. payroll taxes, income tax, WHT and WHVAT) are filed and settled on time
    Liaising with external consultants to ensure compliance with Registrar of Companies regulations (annual returns and financial statements)
    Financial Audits – to participate in all financial audits of DNDi ARO taking the lead in providing the external auditors with the required information necessary for the audits and ensuring that the timelines for the audit are met
• Financial Control
  • Ensure Production Of Accurate, Complete, And Timely Accounts On a Monthly Basis In Compliance With DNDi Internal Accounting Principles And Procedures
  • Checking, correcting, and validating monthly accounts in Navision within the stipulated timelines
    Carrying out the necessary accounting controls such as quality of accounts, completeness of accounting documentation, reviewing of payable accounts, etc.
    Participating in the mid-year and end-year closure of accounts according to DNDi accounting principles and procedures
• Partnership management
  • Ensure That Project Partners Produce Their Budget And Respective Financial Reports On a Timely Basis Through The Implementation Of Good Financial Practice (GFP) Principles
  • Reviewing budgets submitted by DNDi partners to ensure all activity costs are captured and are in line with the action plan
  • Conducting survey and compliance visits to partners including organizing pre-contract assessments if needed as well as budget and cost analysis
  • Implementing the audit tool kit which will provide periodic reports to help identify problems that partners are encountering in implementing their contract and identify required technical assistance
  • Ensuring quarterly financial reports are submitted on time and are in line with GFP principles
  • Participate in providing trainings and technical assistance to partners on a one to one basis and/or in workshops
• Budget management: This Should Be Achieved Through
  • Provide support to Senior Finance Manager in financial planning activities to ensure operations are in line with the approved annual budgets and in compliance with both DNDi and donor financial requirements.
  • Understanding project plans developed, ensuring activity budgets are realistic
  • Ensuring the respective budget owners understand and control their budgets and are accountable for their expenditure against the budget
  • Timely and accurate monthly budget follow up with proper analysis of expenditure levels and providing reports to the respective budget holders
  • Assisting in the development of appropriate budget dashboard(s) to facilitate decision-making and arbitrations for ARO senior management
  • Supporting team members to measure potential impact of projects risks and documenting the cost of mitigation measures

Job requirements

Skills and attributes

• Strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments
• Strong ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team
• Well organized and structured
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong ability to provide high level support in project/programme delivery
• Strategic thinking and leadership abilities
• Strong management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• Has autonomy for taking actions and decisions
• Strong ability to interact with external stakeholders
• Lead and motivate a small team for optimum performance, supervising junior staff
• Solid business partnering expertise and customer focus with the ability to communicate effectively & influence in a matrix organization.
• Clear and systematic thinking with highly developed analytical mind-set and high drive towards achievement of results in a global multi-cultural environment.
• Strong project management skills and proven ability to work collaboratively across functions to deliver on systems and process changes.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years’ relevant experience in which at least 4 years at Senior Officer level
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure
• Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable
• Experience in risk management, internal controls, and audit (either in controllership/audit setting)
• Experience working with diverse senior leaders and negotiating with external stakeholders while building trustful & effective relationships
• Proven experience working with external stakeholders and regulatory authorities such as KRA, Registrar of Companies, NGO Board etc. in managing compliance requirements.
• Working experience with accounting software like Navision
• Experience working in an NGO and clinical research environment is a plus

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent
• CPA (K) or equivalent