Save the Children South Somalia Area Finance Job in Nairobi

Job Title: South Somalia Area Finance Support Manager

Place of Work: Nairobi (Kenya), with field visits

Grade: 6.1

Reports to: Area Representative

Line Management Responsibility: None

Technical Supervision Responsibility:Area Finance Coordinator and other finance staff

Budget Responsibility: None

Contract Duration: 12 months starting from 15 May 2012

Child Protection Level: 3

Job purpose

The purpose of this post is to ensure that the South Somalia programme adheres to all its grant management obligations internally within Save the Children and externally with donors.

The position will also function as a key and important link between program and Finance in the South Somalia programme and will work closely with the Area Representative and programme staff.

Key accountabilities

• Organise monthly grant finance meeting for South Somalia programme and, using information as generated from SUN systems, to explain monthly variances to the Project Managers/budget holders and seek explanation of what identified underspends/overspends mean and how they can be rectified.
• Prepare monthly budget monitoring reports in donor currency and as a follow up to the monthly grant finance meeting submit a timely monthly variance report to the Finance and Grants Director in head office.
• In conjunction with technical programme managers and based on the project activity plan, re-phase all the South Somalia programme budgets in FBS to reflect revised project plans and income schedules on a monthly basis.
• Maintain and update the Country Master Budget component for South Somalia programme on a monthly basis.
• Maintain and update the Master ICE Sheet component for the South Somalia programme on a monthly basis and share it with the Deputy Finance Director.
• Set up and maintain grant files for all the active grants in the South Somalia programme, maintain electronic files of the same on the shared drive.
• Work with project staff to develop realistic budgets in the appropriate currencies for new proposals that reflect both planned expenditure and in the case of grants the expected income from donors.
• Prepare cash forecasts on a 4 weekly basis based on the planned programme activities and forward this to the Area Representative for approval.
• Prepare timely and high quality donor financial reports.
• Check the correctness of payment vouchers from all South Somalia programme offices and/or local implementing partners and recommend the necessary improvements.
• Carry out autonomous field checks and visits to support and build capacities of the field finance teams in South Somalia programme and/or finance staff of local implementing partners (security permitting). If security is not permitting invite the key staff to Nairobi or meet them in Puntland, Somalia.
• Participate in organisational (partners) capacity assessment and financial reviews.
• Assist in providing technical assistance to Save the Children partners in issues related to donor compliance.
• Participate in conducting compliance related trainings and workshops for partners in the South Somalia programme.
• Participation in internal and external audit exercises and subsequent implementation of the auditors’ recommendations.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to health and safety, security, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
• Provide induction on finance matters to newly recruited staff at all levels.

Working contacts

• Internal: Finance Team (including local implementing partners), Budget Holders, and Support Services.
• External: Tax Offices, External Auditors, Regulatory Bodies, Bank, Insurance, Suppliers, Transporters, Alliance members and partners.

Essential requirements

• A University degree in Commerce, Accounting or Business Administration (Finance or Accounting option) from a recognised university.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively mid level management experience with INGO’s in professional accounting and financial management.
• Demonstrated experience in working with local partners and supporting in building their capacity.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of donor compliance, key principles of eligibility and reporting procedures
• Experience of systems audit and articulating/implementing recommendations
• Experience of engaging with donors at country level
• Demonstrated experience of writing proposals, submitting amendments and reporting to donors
• Significant experience of managing multiple large and medium grants annually
• Good personal organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to work within a multicultural setting
• Training skills
• Experience working in difficult and/or emergency environments.
• Computers literate, proficient with excel and computerised accounting packages.
• High level of integrity and ability to work as part of a professional team
• Ability and willingness to work under high pressure, travel to field offices and to meet tight deadlines.

Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding

Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff.

Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

As an employee of Save the Children you are required to comply with the practice and principles as stated in Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy either in the course of your employment or in your private life, by signing the Declaration of Acceptance Form and the general Code of Conduct.

Actions undertaken solely, or participated in by you, which seriously contravene the principles of this policy either in the course of employment or in your private life, may be considered to be gross misconduct (constituting automatic dismissal) depending on the facts of the case.

Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, the Code of Conduct, Health and safety, fraud, whistle blowing, equal opportunities and other relevant policies

Due to the urgency of this position, short listing will be done as applications are received.

Forward your applications to: vacancies@scsom.org

Application Closing Date: 02nd May 2012

Only short listed individuals will be notified.