Country Financial Controller

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

Founded in 1968, Concern Worldwide works in 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean with its headquarters in Ireland. Concern started working in Malawi in 2002. Our Country Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 focuses on climate and environment, social protection, gender and social inclusion, sustainable food systems for food security and partnerships. For sustainability and lasting change, our advocacy and influence, people centred and evidence based approaches focus on system strengthening and resilience building as we seek to address the root causes of poverty.

Concern Worldwide invites applications from interested candidates qualified for the following position;

Job Title: Country Financial Controller (1 Vacancy)

Contract Type: Two Year Fixed Term Contract

Duty Station: Lilongwe          

Reporting to the Country Director, the Country Financial Controller as part of the Country and Senior Management Teams will be responsible for the effective management of the finance function. This will include ensuring financial systems and internal controls are in place to safeguard and account for all assets and funds, managing the finance team, partner finance oversight, capacity building of staff and partners, treasury management, financial planning, management and reporting at strategic and tactical level in line with organisational, legal and donor requirements.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks  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 and enhance, as far as possible, the efficiency and effectiveness of the manner in which such assets are utilized
• Maintaining and monitoring an effective and efficient system of internal controls which comply with Concern’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, national authorities and other stakeholders
• Organising and supporting financial assessments, reviews, monitoring and training of staff and local partner organisations including undertaking regular field visits to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements wherever needed
• Ensure strict guardianship and security of financial data and information, including secure storage, accurate & complete filing and archiving and instituting access controls as well as financial risk mitigation measures
• Closely monitor all financial activities and keep the Senior Management Team advised of all situations that have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.
• Contribute to updating the delegation of authority in line with fundamental country programme changes
• Contribute to and assist in the development and implementation of the Country’s Strategic Plan and to the overall leadership of the country programme.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Assist the Senior Management Team in preparing budgets and revisions in line with strategic plans and organisational objectives. This involves supporting, facilitating and consolidating the financial budgets
• Overall responsible for producing accurate management accounts as well as analysing and reporting on the major variances and presenting to the Senior Management Team
• Ensure proper recording of income and expenditure to comply with Concern and donor regulations.
• Overseeing the accurate preparation of financial reports and ensuring both organisational and donor requirements are met within agreed timeframes
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports and reporting
• Analysing financials especially on maximizing available & potential funds & advising the Country Director 

Donor Management

• Ensure that necessary donor reporting requirements and deadlines are met
• 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

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Providing leadership and direction for the country Finance team
• Capacity building and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures and internal controls as well as donor requirements
• 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 all finance staff are up to date including ensuring that staffing gaps are minimised and appropriately filled in good time
• Ensure that performance development reviews are completed for all country finance staff at least annually

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or relevant field
• Professional qualification e.g. CPA, ACA, ACCA
• At least seven (7) years’ experience in a similar role in an international NGOs or a similar organizations
• Experience in financial planning and management, managing large multi-donor country programme budgets and in developing staff and partner capacity both on technical and managerial aspects

How to Apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should send their CV (3 pages maximum including contacts of 3 referees) and Cover Letter to malawi.hr@concern.net with the subject of the email as “Country Financial Controller’’. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 27^th October 2024 however due to the urgency to fill this position, applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

 Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer