Deputy Team Leader – Finance, Operations and Compliance at Rift Valley Institute (RVI)

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• The Deputy Team Leader - Finance, Operations and Compliance, oversees the management of the Platform’s financial and logistical activities in a manner that enables the Platform to operate in line with RVI’s financial procedures, and those of the donors. The DTL manages the Finance and Administrative Officer and the Grants Officer. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead programme support, administration and compliance at the Platform (30%) 
• Maintain and oversee the Platform’s operations, travel, procurement, partner contracts and budgets, financial management, risk management, and security procedures, ensuring that they are aligned to RVI’s organisational policies. 
• Ensure the Platform’s operational practices are aligned with RVI’s policies and procedures and adhere to donor terms and conditions. 
• Act as the focal point with the Platform’s donor on operational issues, ensuring compliance to standard financial regulations, with donor contracting policies and procedures and supporting financial planning and reporting activities. 
• Oversee the Platform’s compliance with mandatory legal requirements in Somalia, such as RVI 2024.07.14 – Job Description – DTL Finance, Operations and Compliance - SDP 3 registration, employment laws, tax laws, health and safety, security and other specific statutory rules and procedures. Provide oversight and quality assurance over programme financial management (30%) 
• Oversee programme financial management and ensure RVI’s and donor procedures are followed across all categories of expenditure 
• Ensure timely, accurate and accessible financial reporting is produced for programme leadership, RVI and Platform donors, and manage the timely invoicing for the donor. 
• Establish and maintain a methodology for ensuring and demonstrating Value for Money (VFM) across the Platform’s deliverables. 
• Support budget development and forecasting processes at the Platform. 
• Act as the key liaison with RVI Finance department on financial management, and provide necessary information on organisational financial matters 
• Act as the focal point for the Platform and sub grantee due diligence processes and audits. Provide oversight and quality assurance of the programme’s procurement processes (15%) 
• Lead on all procurement processes for the Platform and ensure that RVI’s and the donors’ procedures are followed 
• Oversee the sourcing, contracting and onboarding of all suppliers (partners, consultants, and sub grantees) to ensure compliance with RVI and donor policies and procedures. Provide oversight and quality assurance over the Platform’s operations, risk and security (15%) 
• Oversee the maintenance of safe and secure operations through the implementation of security protocols and guidelines across Somalia, including office management, travel and logistics. 
• Ensure all RVI policies such as safeguarding, fraud and anti-bribery, health and safety and code of conduct are implemented 
• Oversee day-to-day programme operations and logistics to ensure technical teams receive sufficient support to deliver activities 
• Oversee the Platform’s risk register, reviewing it on a quarterly basis and ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Team Management (10%) 
• Line-manage the Finance and Admin Officer and the Grants and Compliance Officer ensuring they are able to effectively discharge their duties 
• Undertake performance management activities ensuring the Grants and Compliance Officer and the Finance and Admin Officer have clear performance objectives, conduct regular staff appraisal, and support their development in line with their specific contracts. 

Knowledge and Qualifications 

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance and Accounting fields 
• Tertiary accounting qualification (AAT, CPA, ACCA/CIMA foundation stage or similar) or demonstrable interest in acquiring a finance education 
• Familiarity withcharity accountingprocedures. 
• Knowledgeof Standard Operation and Regulations Procedures (SORP) 
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of managing grants and compliance activities of major donors such as FCDO. 
• Familiar with managing security, duty of care and human resources. 
• Familiar with the principles of value for money and experience of to cascading such principles to sub-grantees. Experience 
• Substantial experience of working within the charity or commercial sector 
• Experience of managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines 
• Experience of managing a team and working with diverse people 
• Experience in conducting and /or coordinating audit processes 
• Experience with MS Office suite, particularly excel 
• Experience in accounting packages, with preference for proficiency with QuickBooks Skills and Abilities 
• Strategic and adaptive thinking 
• Excellent financial management and project management and planning skills 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills 
• Excellent written and communication skills 
• Fluency in English (essential) 
• Able to represent the project to donor coordination meetings and explain compliance issues