Our client is a successful UK International Development charity operating globally, they are seeking a new Head of Finance. The role will suit candidates who take responsibility for their staff, systems and processes that enable the organisation to successfully manage complex finances, maximise value, and ensure their security. An individual who (with limited resources) can ensure stringent financial and reporting procedures are in place and reliably followed across the organisation:

• Safeguarding resources and minimising risk;
• Foreseeing problems and taking pre-emptive action;
• Maximising the value of funds and handling international currency conversions effectively;
• Attributing costs to restricted rather than unrestricted funds wherever possible;
• Satisfying the requirements of donors and our commitment to public accountability.

 
As with many aspects of their work, this involves tackling multiple challenges. For example, contractual requirements of institutional donors can be very stringent, with funding levels for administrative overheads leaving little margin for error. Other complications involve variations in currencies, exchange rates, national regulations, and working with different languages and cultures. 

This work therefore requires an exceptional person – someone with vision, foresight, good technical expertise, and meticulous attention to detail – but for such a person it will also be incredibly rewarding.
 
They are a fund generating organisation from a range of donors, including DFID, EC, ECHO, Global Fund, UN agencies, BIG, Comic Relief, and other international NGOs. Many projects are funded by multiple donors or as part of a consortium.  Increasingly looking to raise funds from new sources such as social enterprise and consultancy. 
 
As Head of Finance you are responsible – in partnership with the two Heads of Programmes – for ensuring that their finances are soundly managed, donor requirements are adhered to, and financial systems are consistently efficient and secure. In this complex and cross-organisational role, key to success will be the quality of collaboration and communication you are able to develop and maintain between your department and others, especially programmes.  
 
As well as managing finances, there will be overall responsibility for organisational administration.  This includes compliance with charity and company legal obligations, and general administrative oversight of our head office and IT system. 
 
The Head of Finance you will be assisted by three staff directly managed in her/his department (two Finance Officers and an Office Manager), and by further staff having financial and administrative responsibilities in other departments (especially Programme Officers and in-country Finance Officers).
 
As Head of Finance you will have a demanding job.  But we hope you will find it is also a fantastic job.  You will have opportunities to do varied and exciting things, and work with some wonderful people.  Above all, you will be able to make a profoundly powerful contribution to a truly great cause.
 
Main Responsibilities:

• Lead financial management and accounting.
• Ensure systems are secure, efficient and reliable, and that deadlines are met.
• Collaborate closely with programmes staff to ensure sound financial management worldwide, and (in particular) to:

                      - provide strong management of financial risk, such as failure to comply with match funding and other donor requirements;         
                      - manage cash flow effectively;         
                      - maximise the value of financial resources (eg attribute costs wherever possible to restricted rather than unrestricted funds, and handle currency                         exchanges effectively).  

• Produce timely reports, projections and analysis to enable budgetary oversight and strategic decision-making.
• Oversee organisational administration (including head office, IT system and company/charity legal obligations).
• Manage the Finance and Administration Department.
• ·Assist the Director in the strategic management of overall as a member of the Senior Management Team.

 
Personal Attributes
Qualifications and experience

• A recognised senior accountancy qualification and/or a degree or diploma in charity finance management
• Relevant experience in the finance department of a similar organisation, preferably a development NGO

 Knowledge and skills

• Preparing and overseeing budgets
• Generating and communicating financial management accounts/analysis
• Accounting software such as QuickBooks or SUN
• Financial management of complex projects with multiple sources of income in different currencies
• Improving organisational finance systems/processes
• Understanding of the requirements of donors like the EC, ECHO and DFID
• Managing staff, IT and office systems

 
Working style

• Pro-active, practical and energetic.  Someone who takes responsibility and delivers
• Good at working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Well-organised with excellent attention to detail
• Reliable.  Able to meet deadlines
• Resourceful.  Able to deliver with limited resources
• Able to work strategically over the longer term, while also reacting to urgent issues in rapidly changing circumstances
• Excellent team player – a positive, supportive and collaborative colleague
• Able to inspire and motivate staff, encouraging and supporting them to give of their best

 Personal

• Flexible and adaptable
• Approachable, empathetic and supportive personality
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural context
• Able to travel to programme locations, and to work unsocial hours on occasions

Useful but not essential

• Experience of development and/or health issues
• Experience of living/working in a developing country
• Language skills in Spanish or Chinese

For more detail please contact anisha@afid.org.uk