Finance Manager

Main purpose of the job

As part of the senior management team to maintain a system of financial record-keeping from which to provide the Country Director, Senior Management Team in the countries and Tearfund UK with timely, accurate and meaningful financial management information to enable them to monitor and manage the programmes (partners and field offices) effectively. In accordance with Tearfund policies and guidelines, to maintain a system of sound internal controls in order to safeguard Tearfund assets, mitigate against the risk of financial loss and fraud and satisfy donor and statutory audit requirements. To ensure the programme’s financial accounting records and systems and procedures are compliant with Tearfund standards.

Position in organisation

• Grade: Croner Grade 3
• Reports to the Country Director – Nigeria
• Works closely with the Program Team
• Direct Reports: Senior Finance staff
• Dotted Line Responsibility to the Regional Finance Lead – West Africa Region

Organisational requirements

• All staff are expected to live out Tearfund’s values as they represent Tearfund externally
• All post-holders are expected to fulfil their personal objectives set by their line manager, contribute to their team’s overall objectives, take responsibility for reviewing their ongoing personal development and maintain an awareness of Tearfund’s strategy.
• All Tearfund staff share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

Duties & Key Responsibilities

Programme Strategy

• Support the Country Director in developing and maintaining an appropriate financial plan to support programme implementation in accordance with Tearfund’s financial planning guidelines.
• Support the Country Director in monitoring the funding pipeline for the programmes.
• Supervise the preparation, and submission for approval, of the annual core budget to the Country Director and Regional Finance Lead
• Capacity building of Tearfund Staff & Partners to strengthen the financial management of country offices and partner organisations.

Project/Support Function Management

• Assist project staff in developing proposals (including budgets and activity schedules / plans) and subsequent revisions in accordance with external donor requirements.
• Maintain a set of complete and accurate financial records, including all relevant supporting documentation for each project.
• Responsible for timely submission of financial statements / completion reports to donors to ensure compliance with contractual and legal requirements.
• Ensure the timely preparation and communication of monthly financial reports for the Senior Management Team in the country and the Regional Finance Lead, providing them with meaningful financial information to enable them to manage project and core budgets effectively. This should include advising on significant variances against budget, and making recommendations for corrective actions to ensure expenditure does not exceed available funding.
• Conduct regular field trips to projects implemented by partners and our implemented partners to monitor compliance with financial procedures.
• Induct and regularly advise partners finance team on finance systems and controls and how to effectively supervise the finance function in their locations.
• Oversee briefing and training of new staff on the financial procedures relevant to their role
• Facilitate visits by, and meet the requirements of external, internal and donor auditors
• Responsible for local statutory accounting including preparation of financial statements for external audits as may be required.
• Ensure the review of the risk assessment as part of grants approval protocol in light of mitigating risk in addition to partners’ reports review, financial monitoring visits and partner assessment. And the strong collaboration with partners’ finance team in relation to capacity improvement.
• Review and Finance Approve local payroll
• Undertakes other accounting regulatory requirements as required
• Support the Programme team in capacity building partner finance staff.

Corporate policy and compliance

• Set up and maintain appropriate accounting systems and procedures as prescribed in accordance with standard Tearfund policies and donor requirements.
• Monitor procedures to prevent / mitigate against fraud as per the Fraud Prevention and Response Plan.
• Ensure all documentation for completed projects is archived and stored for audit in accordance with Tearfund’s Project Completion Requirements and donors
• Ensure staff are familiar with Tearfund’s mandate and values
• Assist the Country Director to ensure compliance with all host country contractual and statutory financial requirements.

Team Management

• Lead and manage the finance function of the country programmes, providing proper supervision, guidance and mentoring of finance staff to ensure effective performance and compliance with standard financial systems.
• Ensure that all staff in the finance team understand their individual and collective responsibilities for security, safety and well-being.
• Conduct probation reviews and 6-monthly performance appraisals for immediate reports and encourage the personal development of each individual (including personal development plans and the identification of training needs).
• Conduct exit interviews, disciplinary and grievance procedures, as required, for staff in the Finance Team.

External representation

• Support the Country Director in maintaining constructive working relations with other NGOs, UN agencies, host governments (including both formal authorities and informal factions where applicable).
• In consultation with the senior management team and the Regional Finance Lead, liaise with the UK Programme Funding team where appropriate, donors on all aspects of financial management and reporting according to donor requirements.
• Where appropriate build the financial capacities of selected Tearfund partner organisations by providing relevant financial advice and guidance.