Burkina Faso Country Finance Manager

Job purpose

The Country Finance Manager (CFM) is responsible for managing the finance function in Burkina Faso overseeing donor reporting, budget preparation and all financial and management accounting as well as being the main finance contact in country for contact for audits and financial review. To provide a pro-active, efficient, timely and relevant finance service to the technical and operations departments including project reports at a level of detail necessary to manage budgets effectively, ensuring proper books of account are maintained in compliance with local law and Malaria Consortium financial management policies and procedures and timely management and financial accounting reports are provided to regional and head office staff as laid down in the reporting timetable and to be part of the Senior Management Team of the country team.

Key accountabilities

Financial Management (35%)

• Review the annual budget and forecasts developed by designated project leads and ensure timely submission to and approval by the Country Director.
• Coordinate with the Country Director on oversight of the country budget management, including monitoring expenditure against the approved budgets
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the resources of the country
• Guide effective project start up and closure activities for finances, providing support to Programme Managers and country leadership, as appropriate
• Throughout the project cycle regularly monitor and review financial implementation to ensure contractual compliance and timely reporting
• Together with the Country Director, ensure programme staff take responsibility for and understand project expenditure, financial accountability and planning requirements.
• Make quarterly visits to the field offices, project sites and partners to ensure quality in all aspects of finance management if needed.
• Ensure project financial reports for donor and partners are prepared according to donor requirements; submit reports to the Project Manager for sign off, and to Head Office for review prior to submitting to the donor.

Financial Accounting (25%)

• Ensure monthly transactions are entered in the General Ledger accurately and on a timely basis
• Act as a cheque signatory taking primary responsibility for checking the validity and account coding of payments
• Approve advances for field activity and staff travel, ensuring proper process for disbursement of funds, correct documentation and the settlement of advances in a timely manner.
• Maintaining the integrity of the balance sheet by checking and validating:
  • monthly bank reconciliations, following up outstanding items
  • purchase ledger reconciliations
  • staff advances and other debtors
  • sundry creditors and all other creditors
  • check the fixed assets register is up to date monthly
• Submit the monthly checklist to the Country Director and Finance Support Manager in line with Malaria Consortium reporting checklist and timetable.
• Approve the monthly payroll, ensuring direct transfer to staff salary accounts and remitting the payroll deductions to the correct government authorities.
• Keep appropriate filing system and supporting document by transaction to meet good financial record keeping standards
• Work jointly with the Finance Support Manager to improve financial systems in the country office, recommending change as part of the global improvement to provide timely and appropriate financial information to budget holders and donors.

Management Accounting (20%)

• Ensure monthly management accounts are reviewed and variances are acted on by budget holders; report to the Country Director, on the variances and the corrective action that will be taken.
• Prepare rolling forecast and monthly cash flow projections for the country office for submission to the Head Office.
• Oversee the tracking of financial management against work plans and budget
• Update the Country Director on the financial status of projects, identifying areas of concern, recommending corrective measures in areas of underperformance, as appropriate and provide support for agreed actions implementation
• Monitor timeliness and quality of donor financial reporting and internal reporting of designated projects
• Work with the country programme staff on new business development proposals, including the collation of cost information and preparation of budgets in line with detailed activity work plans.

Legal, security and Risk Management (10%)

• Coordinate with the auditors to complete required statutory audits;
• Manage all in-country project audits and facilitate any required global audits, both external and internal.
• Conduct spot checks in main and field offices to ensure internal controls are working
• Draft and review project and financial contract details (ToR, deliverables, reporting, time frame etc.) and take part in financial negotiations on behalf of Malaria Consortium as appropriate
• Ensure, in conjunction with the Country Director and Finance Director, compliance with all local legal requirements, including tax, pensions and insurance.
• Identify and assess risks facing the country programme and develop mitigation strategies along with the Country Director, participating in the Country Management Team update of the risk register
• Support the Country Director to complete any recommendations from audits or other reviews as captured on the organisation’s action tracker.

Line Management Responsibilities (5%)

• Responsible for recruitment of line managed staff in cooperation with the Country Director and HR focal point
• Ensure annual performance appraisals for all line managed staff involved according to Malaria Consortium guidelines
• Provide a financial induction for all new starters and regularly updates on policy for current staff
• Agree with the Country Director on adequate capacity and human resource in the country finance
• Coordinate the absence of finance staff to ensure all gaps are covered and handovers completed prior to any leave

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Represent and promote Malaria Consortium as a quality partner and specialised technical agency at every opportunity.
• Ensure Child Safeguarding Policy, other related policies are implemented.
• Perform other duties as required by the Country Director or his delegate.

Qualifications and experience:

• Qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA Accountant
• Extensive experience in a finance team, with at least four years in a managerial position
• Experience in training finance and non-finance staff and building staff capacity
• Working knowledge of accounting software
• Knowledge of NGO donors and their financial reporting requirements particularly donors such as the US Government, DFID and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
• Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Good analytical and reporting skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong ability to be able to manage and prioritise multiple tasks
• Experience in training and developing finance staff
• Fluent in English and French, both written and verbal communication skills