Head of Finance, Sierra Leone, BRAC International

Career with BRAC International

BRAC is an award-winning international non-governmental development organisation, with the vision of a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination, where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential. BRAC is a leader in developing and implementing cost-effective, evidence-based programmes to assist poor and disadvantaged communities in low-income countries, including in conflict-prone and post-disaster settings. It is an organisation of and for the people of the Global South, pioneering new development and social enterprise approaches to equip communities to achieve prosperity. As well as being the world’s biggest NGO by number of staff and people directly reached, BRAC has regularly been ranked the number one NGO in the world by the Geneva-based NGO Advisor, an independent organisation committed to highlighting innovation, impact and governance in the non-profit sector. BRAC retained the top spot in 2020 among the top 500 NGOs for the fifth consecutive year.

BRAC was founded in Bangladesh in 1972 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. It started its first programme outside of Bangladesh in Afghanistan in 2002, and has since reached millions of people in 11 countries in Asia and Africa. BRAC has a holistic approach to development that uses a wide array of programmes and social enterprises, including in microfinance, education, health, agriculture, gender and human rights. BRAC believes that every person has inherent potential, and when an enabling environment is created and that potential is unleashed, even the poorest can become agents of positive change in their own lives, for their families and their communities.

BRAC International (BI) is seeking application from competent, dynamic and self-motivated individuals to fill the following position:

Head of Finance, Sierra Leone, BRAC International

This position reports to the CEO and serves as an integral member of the senior management team wearing the hat of Head of Finance of Microfinance program responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s financial systems to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.

As the Head of Finance, the candidate will be responsible for developing, monitoring, and evaluating overall corporate strategy with the CEO and other relevant departments, emphasizing double bottom line performance, working capital, and enhancing shareholder value. This position will provide useful financial insights to facilitate sound decisions, formulating and executing our strategy.

The Head of Finance (MF) is expected to follow International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), provide accurate forecasting, conduct financial risk management, and manage relationships with external parties such as, but not limited to, tax authorities, auditors, lawyers, Bank of Sierra Leone, ensure timely, accurate and transparent reporting and pro-actively provide updates on current affairs and issues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Focus on growth and scalability to drive continuous improvements in efficiency and quality. The person be responsible for building a culture that represents both the company’s goals and aspirations, as well as developing the skills and experience of your teams. S/he also be required to get “hands-on” in achieving these outcomes.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Finance function, shareholder relations, risk management, and raising debt with the Group to fund the growth strategy.
• Define growth for impact strategy in conjunction with the Group, manage and communicate capital requirements/implications of business decisions to the CEO, BRAC International Holdings BV, and the Board.
• Work closely with BRAC Sierra Leone in the implementation of the AIM Programme.
• Responsible for the successful implementation of the Core Banking System in the institution.
• Preparation and presenting Board Packs to the Leadership team and bankers
• Lead the Finance & Accounts team in Sierra Leone and work closely with other departments, especially IT (Information Technology).
• Coach and mentor the team to develop capacity, conduct annual appraisals and handle all other staff-related aspects.
• Perform treasury management including mobilizing funds in support with BIHBV both from local and international sources.
• Manage foreign currencies by developing risk mitigation strategies
• Manage and oversee the cash flow of the company and ensuring it has the appropriate treasury controls
• Responsible for ensuring full compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements, funders’ and donors’ covenants with support from CEO and country management team.
• Advise and suggest management on accounting concepts and treatment; responsible for accurate and timely budgeting and forecasting.
• Coordinate and/or work with external and internal auditors.
• Submission of monthly accounts to BRAC International Holdings, Head Office; dealing with payroll-related issues, Cash Management, Accounts Payable, and timely and accurate reporting to other stakeholders.
• Coordinate all financial matters with group finance of BRAC International Holdings and work closely with the (group) team members to resolve any issues and/or implement improvements such as systems, procedures, etc.
• Develop and implement a financial risk management policy.
• Effectively manage relationships with the board of directors, bankers, suppliers, and other financial relationships.
• Coordinate and manage the financial reporting for the organization. This includes but is not limited to monthly financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, strategic financial planning, and all statutory financial reporting.
• Responsible for capital planning and allocation as well as balance sheet optimization.

Safeguarding:

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all level of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Educational Requirements:

• M.Com/MBA majoring in Accounting or Finance or other relevant fields
• CA/CPA/CMA/CFA degree will be of added advantage

Required Competencies:

• Strong budget and management skills, including proven ability to manage projects/processes.
• Financial industry knowledge
• Ability to deal with tight timelines, multiple priorities, and demanding customers, in a fast-moving, constantly changing environment.
• Ability to collaborate with upper management to organize, plan and achieve company financial goals
• High degree of professionalism, maturity, and confidentiality with Strong oral, written interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinking, planning, and creative problem-solving skills
• Strong People skills- Building Collaborative Relationships with the ability to manage a team of professionals, guiding, coaching, mentoring towards achieving common objectives.
• Stay up to date with technological advances, accounting principles and accounting software to be used for financial purposes
• Desire and ability to achieve results under tight deadlines

Experience Requirements:

• A position for an experienced, ambitious, and talented financial professional with a minimum of 10 years financial experience, with at least 5 years in Senior Financial Management capacity spanning Accounting, Business Planning, Operations, Reporting, and Accounting with excellent knowledge of Microfinance Business.
• Demonstrates excellent understanding of financials as well as advanced business finance and performance analysis.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory issues as well as global best practices

Employment Type: Contractual

Salary: Negotiable

Job Location: Country Office, Sierra Leone