Africa Regional Finance Director at World Concern

REPORTS TO

Sr. Director of Finance & Compliance

SUPERVISES

• Regional Finance Officer
• Africa & Haiti Country Accountants (dotted line)

LENGTH OF CONTRACT

1 year with annual review and renewal option

POSITION SUMMARY

Guided by World Concern’s global strategic plan, provide strategic leadership and support to World Concern countries in Africa in the areas of accounting, finance, forecasting, budgeting, reporting and analysis. Provide oversight for all financial transactions and financial planning for the region ensuring adequate controls are in place. Keep Country Directors, the Area Director and HQ apprised of all situations, which have the potential for significant impact on internal controls or financial management performance. The Finance Director will report to the Senior Director of Finance & Compliance and will work closely with the Africa Area Director and Country Directors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(General overview and may not include all details of responsibilities)

DUTIES

• Leadership
  • Serve on the Africa leadership team and participate in discussion concerning projects and administrative decisions. Infuse World Concern’s mission, vision and values into every aspect of WC Africa Finance activities.
  • Identify and propose improvements and modifications to the management and reporting systems. Make recommendations for remediation of any identified problems and follow up to assess results. Assist in implementation of any agreed upon systems and/or improvements.
  • Provide recommendations to the Area Director and/or Country Directors regarding best practices and other changes based on financial evaluations and industry standards.
  • Provide strong and clear leadership in articulating and championing World Concern’s Transformational Development ethos, in the lives of staff, partners and beneficiaries. Ensure teams operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of World Concern, promoting a culture of prayers, learning and good stewardship.
  • Enable the growth of World Concern’s integrated community development program (One Village Transformed – OVT), liaising with all technical and donor stakeholders as necessary.
• Finance & Accounting
  • Responsible for reviewing and submitting all financial reports to the Africa Area Director/Country Directors and WC headquarters office, meeting the required monthly deadlines.
  • Oversee forecasting and budgeting operations for World Concern Africa Region by organizing and controlling the budgeting process for the World Concern Africa office. Assist the Country Directors, Country Accountants and HQ staff in the preparation of the budgets for new project submission to institutional donors.
  • Oversee submission of all financial reports required by donors ensuring they are accurate and timely.
  • Ensure adequate controls and monitoring of cash, bank accounts, procurement & accounts payable to achieve program objectives, minimizing the risk of fraud or misappropriation and mitigate the risks from corruption or insecurity.
  • Monitor exchange rate trends identifying potential risk and recommending strategies to mitigate the risk.
  • Review the reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis and ensure timely completion. Review is to include, but not limited to, ensuring proper revaluation is complete, following up on any items outstanding over 3 months, any negative amounts, and verifying reasonableness of listed transactions.
  • Manage the following revenue projection in an accurate, complete and timely manner for World Concern countries in Africa:
  • Long Term Pro-forma: design a tool that will project revenue and expenses for the various country programs. Analyze date and present recommendations to leadership
• Short Term Pro-forma: use the analysis from the projected revenue and expenses to recommend future budget planning.
  • Review and analyze monthly financial statements for all programs in the Africa Region and report the financial status of each country program to the Africa Director and the relevant Country Director on a monthly basis.
  • Review journal entries and complete any adjusting entries as necessary, including but not limited to, time and effort allocation entries.
  • Oversee the monthly statement of field income and recognition of revenue.
  • Ensure the field-based accounting system(s) is properly updated and maintained, including closed out at month end/year end.
  • Manage and supervise the performance of the Africa Regional Finance Officer. Provide technical oversight to the Country Accountants.
  • Ensure systems related to logistics/procurement are well integrated into the accounting systems to capture all expense details on a monthly basis.
  • Review asset listing to ensure that assets are adequately recorded, uniquely identified, inventoried on a periodic basis, depreciated, insured and disposed of as per WC policy.
  • Design and direct training initiatives, building capacity, to ensure finance staff are equipped to perform their roles and responsibilities with accuracy & professionalism. Make recommendations to the country leadership regarding the depth of the finance team to provide strong cover for leave or R & R.
  • Provide financial training to budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls & making decisions based on financial reports.
  • Provide support in trouble-shooting situations, regarding day-to-day financial operations and training as needed.
  • Compliance
  • Make sure all financial transactions are compliant with the requirements for supporting documentation, following World Concern procedures as well as any applicable donor requirements. Ensure all additional documents are obtained and procedures required by U.S. government grants are followed as applicable.
  • Supervise and coordinate all auditing requirements for the Kenya/Africa Office, Country and donor audits as required. Provide requested documentation to the WC headquarters office for the organization’s annual audit, meeting deadlines as stipulated.
  • Identify and mitigate financial, legal and compliance risk by periodically conducting program/country risk assessments with relevant team members.
  • Review existing World Concern finance and accounting policies, procedures and systems in each area of operation to ensure compliance and smooth operations. Identify, develop, implement and administer policies and procedures necessary for the effective financial operations throughout World Concern Africa and Haiti.
  • Understand individual country regulations by keeping abreast of tax law, labor law, registration & visa requirements, etc.; advise the Country Director on needed actions to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and laws.
  • Develop an internal audit program and schedule to include regular field visits in order to assess the compliance of financial/procurement/asset management systems, procedures and guidelines. Submit audit reports to the Senior Director of Finance & Compliance and Africa Area Director for review. Assist in implementing agreed upon improvements and monitor follow up actions.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

CHRIST CENTERED

A deep and abiding faith that is fully surrendered to the will of Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that is consistent with biblical principles in word and deed. Commitment to spiritual growth and development. Demonstrates the values of a CRISTA leader.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university recognized by the United States Department of Education or equivalent. Relevant work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE

• Ten (10) years of accounting experience in a business and/or non-profit organization.
• Five (5) years in a leadership role.
• Administration and management experience in a cross-cultural setting.
• Excellent communications skills; demonstrated ability to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Must have problem solving capabilities; ability to work independently while staying aligned with the culture and strategic direction of the organization.

SOFTWARE / EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

Working knowledge of accounting software packages and Microsoft Office.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Commitment to World Concern’s values and mission.
• Work efficiently and professionally with a variety of personality types.
• Must have problem solving capabilities; ability to work independently while staying aligned with the culture and strategic direction of the organization.
• Excellent communications skills; demonstrated ability to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Available for at least a two-year commitment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires periodic travel to World Concern operational areas in Africa and Haiti with likely travel to the US headquarters in Seattle, WA.

Urban living conditions. Field locations are often in remote areas without basic infrastructure (roads, power, water, hospitals). Must be able to endure hardships of heat, basic shelter and rough roads for periods of up to two weeks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE

• Grant Compliance and Governance, including U.S. Government grants.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and train others in small group settings.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Ability to read, write and speak French.