Finance Manager, the Open Society Foundations’ (OSF) Africa Regional Office (AfRO) at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

AfRO is part of the OSF, a global network of national and regional foundations as well as thematic network programs committed to advancing local knowledge, expertise and agency in support of open society values. OSF operates in more than one hundred countries. Serving as the liaison for its Africa foundations, AfRO leads OSF’s work in the Africa region and seeks to inform and influence policy actors at the pan-African and international levels who have the power to advance or obstruct progress towards open society values in Africa.

Brief description of role

AfRO seeks a Finance Manager. Reporting to AfRO’s Resources Division Director, with matrix management within OSF’s overall finance team, the Finance Manager will ensure the day-to-day financial operations of the office. They will ensure the preparation of all budgetary and financial materials, including expenditure tracking and reporting, in line with all of OSF’s relevant policies. They will provide financial analysis and advice for AfRO. They will work independently under direct and matrix supervision. The ideal candidate will be driven and proactive, with strong budget and finance accounting knowledge and must be comfortable working under strict deadlines and able to work on multiple assignments at the same time.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all of AfRO’s financial operations in line with all relevant OSF policies, including forecasting, budgeting, accounting, audit preparations, banking relationships, cash management, payroll management in line with all statutory requirements and risk management activities.
• In collaboration with AfRO’s Resources Division Director, oversee internal finances, including annual budget processes, and monitor expenditure over the course of the year.
• Ensure annual budget preparation, justification and presentation.
• Review and monitor AfRO’s annual budget, including through the creation of internal processes to monitor spending and adjustments to keep AfRO’s management team updated on spending on a monthly basis.
• Track administrative and program spending.
• Train staff as necessary on OSF’s financial policies, processes and systems.
• Work closely with staff to ensure that their financial (spending) information is accurate and up to date.
• Produce financial reports on a monthly basis for the staff.
• Review and analyse grantees’ financial reports for accuracy, collate financial reporting materials for all grantees and oversee all grants accounting.
• Coordinate tasks associated with year-end closing process.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and deliver on any recommendations from the same.
• Supervise processing of the payroll and ensure timely filing of all statutory returns.
• Oversee office and project contracts in relation to payments (services, travel, consultants, etc.
• Research vendor accounts and answer vendor inquiries.
• Implement a robust procurement and contracts management reporting system in line with OSF’s policies, systems and procedures and verify expenses and fees in line with relevant OSF guidelines, ensure contract billing and payment schedules are adhered and verify financial reports are consistent with contracts.
• Resolve any account discrepancies by investigating documentation.
• Process invoices and receipts and enter the same into OSF’s financial systems.
• Review invoices for proper General Ledger coding, classification and application to proper accounting periods.
• Oversee financial record keeping and filing of AfRO’s financial documents.
• Organize travel and assist in the preparation of conferences, meetings, seminars and special events.
• Prioritise continuous learning through attending trainings within and without AfRO and OSF to ensure consistent standards of excellence.
• Promote communication and teamwork within AfRO as well as with OSF’s budget and finance teams.
• Liaise regularly with OSF’s budget and finance team as well as the African foundations’ budget and finance teams and mediate any challenges as necessary.
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned.
• Travel as needed.

AfRO may from time to time add, change or remove any of these responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Relevant bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and seven to ten years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Registration as a Certified Public Accountant.
• Training/experience in a non-profit and/or philanthropic accounting and finance department preferred.
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail and budget.

Skills required

• Demonstrable commitment to open society values.
• Demonstrable commitment to ethics.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adaptive Planning, Foundation Connect, Concur, Contract Access and NetSuite.
• Excellent listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication.
• The ability to handle confidential issues and discretion.
• High self-motivation and ease working independently.
• Poise and ability to work well under pressure and while remaining attentive to detail.
• Flexibility, willingness/ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and ability to prioritise tasks.
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers and the general public.