Director of Finance

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Grants Management and Compliance
• Support timely agreement/contract development, review, and/or approval, both with donors and partners, ensuring adherence to both internal Search’s and donor requirements.    
• Ensure that all Financial Reports are done on appropriate donor templates at or before the agreed upon due date
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Country Director; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep senior leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
• Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
• Implement a robust contracts management and financial management/ reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements.
• Effectively communicate and present the critical financial matters to the Country Leadership Management Team.
• Supervise the Finance Manager to ensure effective financial reporting indicators are met for the organization and field Finance activities run efficiently.

Internal Control

• Ensure adherence to segregation of duties and record keeping as per donor and Search’s internal requirements; 
• Guide the team in keeping to Search’s auditing protocol and Coordinate the annual country, HQ and/or project specific audit processes, liaise with external auditors and the finance committee of the board of directors; assess any changes necessary. 
• Supports Grants & Compliance Manager in verification of audit report accuracy;
• Ensure timely closure of finance audit recommendations related to donor compliance; participate in preparation, implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans;
• Provide guidance and support to Subgrants team for the timely assessment of staff and partner financial management capacity and ability to adhere to any specific donor requirements.  
• Support to develop related action plan with program and finance staff to address any capacity/system gaps by to ensuring a risk assessment matrix is prepared and updated with mitigation plans for the country office
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
• Work with Heads of Offices and other relevant staff to ensure adequate finance management support in each sub-office; and.  

Cross cutting support:

• Support the Director of Operations/Procurement and Admin lead to manage daily office operations to negotiate contracts, manage vendor relationships, liaise with Search’s landlords (and subtenants), develops and oversees office standard operating procedures.
• Review the procurement processes and policies to ensure that they meet the organizations and donor standards.
• Coordinates long-term organizational planning: coordinates the implementation and operation of Search’s strategic plan.
• Technology: support to ensure the proper functioning of network administration, phone system and information systems.
• With the Country Director, updates and implements Search’s development strategy, oversees individual solicitation leads and processes, as agreed with the Country Director.
• Serve as a member of the leadership management team.
• Serves as a member and Co-Chair of the Operations and Security Team.
• Work with the People & Culture Manager to oversee the organization’s human resources requirements; including employee on-boarding.
•  Other responsibilities, as agreed with the Country Director.
• The position holder will conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to SFCG and to not jeopardize its mission and objectives;

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Studies, or Social Science.
• Experience in working with Financial Regulations of  US Government, EU, FCDO and other Donor funded projects
• At least eight years of experience working in project and/or grants management and proposal/business development/design.
• Experience in developing and interpreting donor budgets.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to the community.
• Proven ability to develop and write grant proposals and concepts and track record in winning proposals.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills.
• Excellent inter-personal, cultural and diplomatic skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure in unstable security environments.
• Experience in using Office applications especially excel will be a great advantage
• Travel to Programme Units and field offices when necessary to support Reviews and Capacity development process