Country Financial Controller

Job Title:                          Country Financial Controller      

Reports to:                       Country Director

Terms:                               2 years Fixed Term Contract (Accompanied)

Salary:                               GB5 (€50,107 – €55,674)

Requirements:                The role will be based in Lilongwe – Malawi

About Concern:               Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:                  You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the finance function of the Concern Worldwide Malawi programme to achieve our objectives in line with Concern Worldwide policies, procedures and standards. You are a member of the Country Management Team and will provide leadership in the development and management of all programmes in accordance with organizational policies and the Country Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities:

Financial Systems and Controls

• Ensure that country financial management systems and records are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets and interest of the organization.
• Ensure that the systems and procedures in place enhance, as far as possible, the efficiency and effectiveness of the manner in which assets are utilized.
• Maintaining and monitoring an effective and efficient system of internal controls (i.e. ledger, cashbooks, balance sheet reconciliations, cash and bank management etc.) which comply with Concern Worldwide’s financial guidelines and minimise the risk of fraud or misappropriation.
• Ensuring financial systems of the country programme are operating in line with standard Concern procedures and they meet the monitoring and reporting requirements of the Country Management Team, Donors and National Authorities
• Ensure that the country financial operations comply with legal and statutory requirements e.g. audit and financial reporting to all relevant national authorities.
• With the support of the finance team, keep up to date with donor regulations and ensure that all controls are in place to meet donor compliance.
• Support the Operations Director in ensuring there is a complete record of capital assets and that they are accurately valued and adequately safeguarded Organising and supporting financial assessments, reviews, monitoring and training of local partner organisations with the aim of building their capacity.
• Undertaking regular field visits to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements wherever needed
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the CD/Senior Management Team advised of all situations that have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.
• Accepting, advancing and pursuing any new objectives or responsibilities that may be assigned by the Country Director including transfer of existing duties and/or re-assignment to other responsibilities should the organisation so require
• Facilitate the roll-over to a new global ERP and ensure that it is maintained in a proper manner and utilised in an appropriate and effective manner

Budgeting and Financial Reporting

• Assist the CD and budget-holders in preparing budgets and revisions in line with strategic plans organisational objectives and Concern’s Head Office submission timelines. This involves supporting, facilitating and consolidating the financial budgets.

• Ensure proper recording of income and expenditure to comply with Concern and donor regulations.
• Producing monthly management accounts (budget vs. actual) and working with the programme teams and department managers to take corrective action following their review of their expenditure reports (management accounts)
• Overseeing the accurate preparation of financial reports and ensuring both organisational and donor requirements are met within agreed timeframes
• Overseeing the process of for new project/programme budgets and reviews
• Maintaining a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding and to ensure efficient and accurate reporting to donors, including donor compliance
• Ensuring timely and accurate preparation of financial reports for Concern’s Head Office (Financial Reporting Pack (i.e. FRP)
• Ensure all balance sheet items are reconciled on a timely basis, in accordance with Concern Worldwide policies & procedures
• Finalise year end accounts for the external auditors and provide any ad-hoc finance reports for Concern’s Head Office
• Provide financial analysis where necessary especially on maximizing available funds and advice to CD.

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Providing leadership and direction for the in-country Finance Team
• Develop a second layer of staff who can fill the gap whenever any position is vacant in the finance team
• Undertake specific training and capacity building for the finance team to ensure that staff efficiently perform their roles and responsibilities and are able to grow into roles which are more senior.
• Providing training and support to finance and non-finance staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures and internal controls
•  Undertake financial training of budget-holders, to assist them in enforcing financial controls and making decisions based on financial reports.
• Ensuring Concern’s values and policy commitments, including accountability and equality, are reflected in the work of the Finance Team/Department.
• Ensure that Job Descriptions of field finance are up to date
• Ensure that PDRs are completed for all country finance staff at least annually

Donor Management

• Ensure that necessary donor reporting deadlines are met
• Ensure accurate donor reporting i.e. that donor reports tie back to the general ledger from GP, casting is checked, correct use of exchange rates, correct management/application of donor budget flexibility, accurate management and reporting of co-finance, and use of correct/approved donor budgets.
• Ensure staff positions are mapped to donor funding, ensuring that gaps are identified and included in future donor proposals, with decisions made on eliminating positions if there isn’t sufficient funding for the role in consultation with CMT
• Ensure all relevant donor guidelines, policies, proposals, periodic reports and other communications are readily available, categorized by grant, and documented in soft and hard copy filing
• Review of prepared donor budgets

Other Duties

• Facilitate internal, external and donor audits and associated reviews of field systems
• Ensure that all statutory deductions & taxes in respect of national staff are complied with & to liaise with relevant authorities in this respect.
• Review and establish an effective monitoring system for the donations in Kind (DIK) so that all items received from donor as DIK and distributed to beneficiaries are properly recorded and reconciled with a clear audit trail.
• Assist Country Director to update the delegation of authority document in line with fundamental changes (New project/ closed project/ staff structure/emergency response/ etc.)
• Implement the finance systems related feedback provided by Regional Accountant or internal auditors.
• Implement the finance systems related updates as required based on instruction from HQ or feedback provided by Regional Accountant or internal auditors.
• Liaise continuously with Regional Accountant in respect to issues arising at country level and to implementation of policy changes from HQ.
• Provide other financial information required by HQ e.g. in-country income, fx reporting, information on proposals for use of new bank, ad hoc information requirements etc.
• Lead in the development of SOPs in finance related areas, working with relevant HQ staff e.g. in relation to Cash Transfer Programming.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the Country’s Strategic Plan
• Contribute to the development of the country’s strategic direction and to the overall leadership of the country programme
• Any other finance-related tasks as assigned by the Country director or HQ

Country Specific Tasks

• Monitor exchange rate movement and advise management of impact on cost and funding base
• Pay particular attention to areas of restricted access to ensure that systems are maintained and operating effectively

Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies

• Ensure adherence to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies
• Ensure finance staff understanding and adhere to the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies
• Ensure the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) are understood by finance staff

Confidentiality

• Ensure the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever acquired in the course of duty, relating to the practices and business of Concern Worldwide, to any other person or Organization without authority, except in normal execution of the above duties
• Ensure strict guardianship and security of financial data and documents at all times, including secure storage, accurate & complete filing and limiting access to the finance office to authorised personnel only

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS):

• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E);
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Role Holder Requirements:

Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

• Accountancy Qualification (e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA)
• 5 years post qualification experience in international NGOs or a similar organization.
• Experience in developing staff capacity both on technical and management aspects
• Experience managing large and multi donors (especially EU, USAID, Irish Aid, ECHO, FCDO, etc.)
• Must be fully fluent in English
• Good Communication and negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge of development issues and concepts.
• Academic background of or strong practical experience in macro-economic and/or fiscal policy.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• A good understanding of computer applications i.e. Microsoft word, Excel, communications systems and basic trouble shooting skills.

• Experience working with local, national and international organisations
• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation
• Good communication, negotiation and training / capacity building skills
• Proven organization, planning and management skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and lead diverse teams

• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment

To apply:  CVs should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by the closing date.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance – for example if you have a visual impairment or are neurodivergent – please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Your Personal Data

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.

For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

You have certain rights under data protection legislation. For more information on how to exercise those rights please visit www.concern.net/about/privacy

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.