Finance Manager ( Open for Sudanese Nationals ONLY) Full Time

Job Profile

CAFOD Sudan is seeking a qualified candidate (national) to manage and oversee the overall finance portfolio of the Country Programme (Kosti Office), in compliance with CAFOD standards and procedures. S/he will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT) and is expected to undertake in-country travel for programme finance-related oversight and partner support as necessary or required.

The scope of the post falls into the following broad functions.

• Financial Management: Responsible for all aspects of financial management, in compliance with CAFOD standards and procedures, providing information to enable effective management for the country programme and support operations.
• Financial Management of Programmes: Provide financial support to the programme team, PDFO, and Implementing Partners (IPs), to ensure donor compliance and financial reporting.
• Audit oversight: Responsible for the oversight and coordination of the various periodic internal and external audit exercises and engagement with the auditors.
• Team Management: Provide management oversight to the Finance staff, which includes the Finance Officer and may be asked to take on wider management functions as needed.
• Representation: Represent CAFOD in relevant finance-related meetings and coordination mechanisms in-country and other programme-related working groups and networks pertinent to CAFOD’s work.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management (35%):

• Maintain constant engagement with the Finance and Internal Compliance teams at HQ in London to ensure compliance with CAFOD accounting policies and generally accepted accounting principles, as well as the processing of transactions.
• Provide technical training, translation and accounting support on Finance systems, new changes, accounting policies, procedures, and ways of working to the country team and IPs.
• Guide continuous improvement to ensure that processes are tailored to the specific CAFOD finance and accounting procedures.
• Conduct periodic cost-benefit analyses through examining current spending, market and financial forecasts, and overall, our goals to make recommendations and guide CMT decision-making.
• Oversee and lead the preparation of annual and programme budgets as required, liaising with the relevant team leaders and CAFOD departments.
• Monitor expenditure against the respective budgets, provide monthly/quarterly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports, and advise the respective programme leads of the budget burn rate to date and any variances that arise, requiring immediate action.
• Manage funds available in-country, ensuring that adequate funds are maintained for all areas of programme work, transfers are made as appropriate and prompt and monthly bank reconciliations are conducted, and the necessary arrangements for obtaining and securing petty cash are in place and maintained.
• Account for expenditure made monthly according to prescribed procedures and deadlines using the prescribed software.
• Manage and administer the monthly payroll process for staff, including making the necessary statutory deductions and prompt payments to relevant government departments as required by local laws and CAFOD policies.
• Oversee the processing of payments for all goods and services, ensuring that the necessary documentation and authorisation have been obtained.
• Develop and lead transformation strategies, implement plans to deliver improved outcomes in finance operations, and ensure proper filing of documents, both hard and electronic copies.

Financial Management of Programmes (30%)

• Produce accurate and timely financial reports on a monthly and quarterly basis, consolidating expenditure. Reports should meet the standards required by each donor organisation and those set by CAFOD.
• Ensure that the IP’s finance team receives technical support to strengthen their financial and accounting systems, enabling them to produce and submit accurate periodic financial expenditure reports. Support will include the design of accounting and reporting systems, the design of spreadsheets, training, and ongoing guidance for IP personnel. This will necessitate occasional travel and conducting partner workshops.
• Advise Programme Managers about variances arising in expenditure, the need for timely transfers of income within CAFOD, and for transfers of grants to IPs in a manner that ensures IPs have the necessary funds at their disposal to implement programmes effectively.
• Keep the CR updated on any incidents of failures by IPs to comply with CAFOD and donor financial standards and requirements.
• Represent CAFOD’s programmes, providing all necessary financial information and shared experiences as may be required by external donors, and contributing effectively to all monitoring and evaluation requirements as may be established by CAFOD and external donors.
• Develop comprehensive tools to ensure financial compliance with CAFOD and donor standards.
• Support programme staff in conducting financial assessments of CAFOD’s IPs and support the development of accounting frameworks and cash flow forecasts.
• Ensure and oversee the capacity building and mentoring of finance and non-finance staff, including management, in all finance-related matters at both CAFOD and IP levels.
• Document key learning and use this to improve knowledge management and revise change management plans.
• Conduct financial reviews across the project cycle, including grant kick-offs, budget modifications, and grant closures.

Audit oversight (15%)

• Ensure that all necessary measures are in place to fulfil audit requirements as may be called upon by CAFOD or external donors. This includes maintaining accurate and well-documented records of all income, expenditure, and transfers, which are readily accessible upon request to authorised personnel.
• Take the lead and ensure that audit findings and management responses are effectively addressed and delivered promptly.
• Ensure that final audit recommendations are adhered to and implemented at the CAFOD and IP levels as required.
• Evaluate financial risk and monitor compliance with internal controls periodically.

Team management (15%):

• Manage staff in accordance with CAFOD’s people management standards and policies.
• Lead, manage, mentor and support direct reports, including setting objectives, conducting periodic and annual performance development reviews, providing coaching and ensuring team members have individual development plans.
• Ensure an effective and appropriate system and processes for team learning and development.

Representation (5%):

• Represent CAFOD externally, as prioritised by the Country Representative, in relationships with institutional donors, the Church and other faith-based organisations, and government representatives, as well as inter-agency coordination forums and strategic partner organisations.
• In liaison with the Country Representative, provide effective collaboration with Private and formal financial institutions, representing CAFOD where necessary, to build and strengthen strategic working relationships.

Person Specification

Understanding our context

• Demonstrates an understanding of the Catholic Church, Demonstrates behaviour in line with CAFOD’s vision, mission and values.

Working together

• Skilled in working with people of varied backgrounds, cultures and abilities.
• Build collaborative relationships across CAFOD and with external partners, donors and suppliers.

Making change happen

• Can communicate complex issues simply and clearly to ensure understanding.
• Recognises what needs to be done, makes decisions and acts – even in challenging circumstances.

Job-Specific Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive finance and accounting experience at a senior management level, managing complex multiple budgets and providing technical systems support internally to staff, management and IPs.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting with knowledge of accounting fundamentals.
• A professional accounting certification, such as CPA/ACCA, is desirable.
• Skilled at facilitating cross-functional projects in an efficient yet collaborative manner.
• Experience from working in complex humanitarian and volatile contexts is desirable.
• Proficiency in accounting software, Sun Info10 System and other accounting software.
• Experience in financial analysis, budgeting, auditing, reporting and donor compliance.
• Skilled in developing financial tools and systems for budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Knowledge of donor revenue reconciliation processes.
• Prior active involvement in external and internal audit processes.
• Experience in financial modelling and proficiency in Excel skills. Preferably skilled with numbers and able to provide quick analysis.
• Experience with key institutional donors (ECHO, GAC, FCDO, CI & ACT Alliance Networks, START Network).
• Team player able to work with diverse teams in diverse locations, engaging their input and dedication to success.
• Excellent organisational, time management skills and ability to organise multiple, simultaneous tasks, and deliver results within a specified period.
• Excellent experience in team management and capacity building skills.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Written and spoken proficiency in English and Arabic.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Understanding of approaches to ensure the accountability of programme work towards the intended beneficiary communities and commitment to the CHS.
• Proactively monitors expenditure and is aware of the current financial position, with Strong budget management skills.
• Ability to work and travel in insecure environments and to manage one’s security and the security of our partners.
• Strong understanding of management principles and a commitment to high management standards.

Tagged as: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, Sudan