Finance and Controlling Manager

SOS Children’s Villages International is part of the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organisation, we support children without parental care and families living in difficult circumstances through care, education, health and emergency services, and advocate for the rights of children and young people in collaboration with a wide range of partners. We work in 135 countries and territories, reaching more than one million children, young people, families and carers each year.

SOS Children’s Villages Guinea-Bissau is a National Non-Governmental Development Association and member of the SOS Children’s Villages International Federation and has been committed to this cause since 1984. SOS Children’s Villages Guinea-Bissau runs a wide range of programmes in Bissau, Canchungo and Gabu. These programmes include family strengthening, youth programmes, and primary and secondary schools. To assist us with this important responsibility, we are currently seeking a:

Finance and Controlling Manager,

SOS Children’s Villages International

Guinea Bissau

(F/M)

Location: Bissau

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the leadership of the National Director, the FC Manager is responsible for:

• providing financial advice and support to the ND and National Management Team to enable them to make sound decisions
• areas of forecasting (long-term perspective), budgeting, liquidity management, engaging in key figure and cost optimization analysis and reviewing operational performance
• developing and monitoring risk management policies and procedures and ensuring that external control mechanisms are in place
• developing and implementing internal finance policies and guidelines regulating processes related to finance as well as internal control in line with the vision, mission, strategy, policies, and standards of the organisation
• leading and supervising the national finance department
• representing the organisation in the field of finance towards external stakeholders
• knowing the tax regulations in a country and following-up on all legal changes that might have financial implications

timely and qualitative data submission to the Regional/International Office in accordance with the agreed quality standards as set forth by SOS CVI policies and guidelines

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

• Management and Strategic Planning & Budgeting

  • Manages the association’s overall financial accounting, monitoring and reporting systems (incl. processes)
  • Is responsible for the overall operations of the finance department, including the interaction and communication within and with other departments/ stakeholders as well as the design of an organizational structure adequate for achieving the association’s goals and objectives
  • Contributes to the strategic leadership of the association as part of the National Management Team and helps to develop the national strategy and business plan
  • Prepares long-term financial prognosis and income portfolio analyses to meet the MA long-term strategic objectives
  • Coordinates the budgeting process for the whole association, ensures that the association’s budget is in accordance with the national strategic plan and SOS CVI requirements (i.e. planning letter parameters)
  • Is responsible for the overall budget control

• Accounting and Internal Control

  • Develops and implements an up-to-date documented system of accounting policies, financial procedures and internal control guidelines (in compliance with local regulations and SOS CVI standards) within the entire association
  • Keeps abreast of changes in financial regulations and legislation
  • Is ultimately responsible for timely and accurate accounting data submission to the Regional/ International Office
  • Performs regular controls and supervision on the field

• Financial Analysis and Reporting

  • Defines a set of key financial parameters to assess and steer the current and future financial status of the association
  • Engages in key figure and cost optimisation analyses and in benchmarking studies to establish areas of potential operational improvement in the association
  • Provides accurate financial information and reports to specific deadlines as requested by different stakeholders (i.e. ND, OIR, CVI Representative, Finance Advisors)
  • Ensures that reports related to projects are submitted in due time (e.g. construction projects, projects financed by public grants etc.) and following existing SOS CVI standards and/or special donor requirements

• Funds and Risk Management

  • Monitors and analyses MA’s liquidity status (predicting future trends, checking plausibility of forecasted local income and proper reflection of public grants, exchange rate development etc.)
  • Ensures that sufficient funds are available to meet on-going operational and investment requirements and informs the National Director in a timely manner on estimated liquidity shortfall proposing solutions
  • Ensures counterbalanced income portfolio as well as efficient bank account structure/ conditions of the MA
  • Develops and monitors risk management policies and procedures to ensure that programme and organisational risks are minimised

• External Audit

  • Ensures the timely submission and is ultimately responsible for the quality and completeness of the consolidated Annual Financial Statements of the Member Association (embedded in an entire audit package according to both, national and SOS CVI standards)
  • In case of qualified audit: approves Audit Progress Report (compiled by Chief Accountant) and is ultimately responsible for proper audit recommendations’ follow-up

• Human Resources Development in Finance

  • Supports recruitment and selection procedure of leading finance co-workers (i.e. national Chief Accountant, location chief accountants)
  • Leads an effective and engaged finance team (incl. conducting PATs/ Feedback Talks), sets up and monitors execution of defined HRD measures
  • Responsible of capacity building actions for FC Team

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor degree in Finance/Audit or any relevant degree in relation with the position and least 5 years of experience in a similar position
• Experience in managing teams in a fast-paced and multicultural environment
• Ability to give advice and direction at a national level
• Virtual management skills and knowledge of collaboration tools
• Good analytical and organisational skills
• In-depth knowledge of Excel as well as good knowledge of Word and Outlook
• Knowledge and experience in project and process management is an asset
• Ability to work flexibly in virtual settings
• Ability to work in a cross cultural environment
• Fluency in Portuguese is an real asset
• Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is necessary

We offer

• Diverse, creative and challenging opportunities in an international working environment
• Possibility to make significant contribution towards the development of Guinea Bissau National Association
• Competitive compensation package and excellent development opportunities In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks

What We Stand For: **

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.