Job Vacancy at Helen Keller International – Finance Manager

Helen Keller International (HKI) is an international, non-profit organization, with 21 country offices worldwide. Created in 1915, HKI’s mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition through evidence-based programs. HKI opened in Sierra Leone in 2004 and currently receives funding from USAID, Irish Aid, UNICEF and others.

HKI’s portfolio of programs covers a diverse range of infectious disease control/elimination and nutrition programs that target vulnerable communities, households and family members. HKI is lead partner for the Ministry of Health, Sanitation integrated community-based program to control/eliminate onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminths through mass drug administration. Within its nutrition programs, HKI currently supports the government in its two programs; Six Monthly Contact Point and Orange Flesh Sweet Potato.

In line with our global mission, HKI’s main objective in Sierra Leone is to support the government to develop policies and programs that address mortality and morbidity associated with malnutrition; and morbidity and disability caused by neglected tropical diseases and to assist the country to achieve the Sustainable Development

Functional Relationships

The Finance Manager reports directly to the Deputy Country Director (DCD) and is a member of the Country Management Team (CMT).  To ensure congruity and consistency of financial policies and procedures, the Finance Manager will also be a member of the global Finance department with dotted-line reporting relationships to members of the global team who supervise and support accounting, budget and finance, finance systems and grants compliance in country offices.

The Finance Manager works closely with the DCD, CD, CMT and Program Managers, facilitating integration between accounting, finance and program staff towards the common goal of ensuring that project objectives are met.  This position supervises a team of professional level and support staff and liaises with donors and/or subrecipients for the country’s portfolio, representing Helen Keller at donor and project partner meetings.

Helen Keller Intl has a matrixed reporting structure that respects both the line management and authority within departments and geographical hierarchies as well as the accountability and oversight duties of subject matter experts outside of each department and geography. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive. 

Scope of the Position

The Finance Manager is responsible for the overall financial management of the country office portfolio which may be composed of projects funded by USAID and/or other multi-lateral or privately funded initiatives. S/he will manage a collaborative effort with country office and global management colleagues to ensure adherence to Helen Keller policies and procedures, maintain strong internal controls; supervise the management and maintenance of the general ledger and all other accounting functions and oversee and participate in the administration and management of awards in the country office portfolio; and the implementation of financial oversight mechanisms to ensure financial integrity and compliance with donor and Helen Keller policies as well as local laws across programs. 

Specific Responsibilities

Overall Management and Leadership

• As a member of the CMT, participate in strategic planning and direction setting for the country office its programs, lending your unique perspective and expertise to the process.
• Lead finance department in a collaborative effort with program managers to ensure high-quality financial planning, management, reporting and auditing of all programs, including thorough budget preparation and oversight.
• Identify operational challenges that affect the integrity of resource management.
• Participate in international work groups assigned to develop global policies and/or optimize systems and procedures.
• Review and assess status of the country office policies, procedures and workflows, identify gaps or outdated policies and prioritize improvements.
• Keep abreast of changes in laws and regulations of local authorities (e.g., consortium of non-governmental organizations, Tax Department) and constituents that impact Helen Keller’s operations.
• Make proposals for best practices in financial operations.

Accounting and General Ledger Management

• • Manage and work directly with accounting and finance staff to ensure timely and accurate general ledger maintenance, banking and cash management, accounts payable, and payroll and procurement processes, for the primary office and any sub-offices.
  • Maintain a clear segregation of duties within the finance and accounting team and ensure strong internal controls are in place and that staff are cross trained so that replacements are always available.

• Ensure that:
  • general ledger balances are analyzed;
  • Bank reconciliations are performed accurately, monthly and reconciling items are resolved timely
  • quality financial reports are produced according to donor and Helen Keller timetables
  • payroll is analyzed for accuracy and consistency before final approval by the CD;
  • benefit and tax payments (social security contributions, taxes, etc.) are made on time and that clear evidence of payments is available.
  • Financial data is accurate and up to date for a timely monthly closing process.
  • Filing systems and archiving of financial records are maintained.
  • Maintain cash flow to ensure that liquidity is maintained; monitor currency fluctuations; establish sound electronic banking procedures with well documented system access controls.
  • Manage country and project audits.
  • Serve as a link with the bank on the electronic payment system and other facilities.
  • Track donor agreements and sub-grants to partners and ensure that all advances to partners are justified and deliverables are received; and

Budget and Grants Management

• Maintain a complete financial knowledge of the portfolio of awards in the country office.
• Coordinate the preparation of the annual and mid-term budget of the country office .
• Conduct monthly monitoring of project implementation rates and share variance analysis reports with the CD and budget owners.
  • Prepare invoices, financial reports, analyze accruals, forecasts and other financial deliverables for awards.
  • Reconcile donor reports to the general ledger (cash and expenses).
  • Track and report monthly project expenditures, fund execution rates, and donor funds received, and provide appropriate information to the Country Director and program managers on a monthly basis.
  • Ensures that budgets and other financial information are properly represented in financial and project management systems. Manage hard copy and electronic records for each project.
  • Conduct field visits to sub-recipients, as required, to assist in the assessment of sub-recipients’ financial management.
  • Prepare proposal budgets and budget amendments. Review budgets to ensure conformity with the work plan
  • Prepare budget narratives for grant proposal budgets
  • Manage the project start-up and/or closing processes, as needed.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of donor procedures and USAID rules and regulations.

Human Resources Management

• Model collaboration for your matrixed team: effectively consult and inform colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from subject matter experts in your office and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance.
• Build a highly effective Finance team, recruiting, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating staff, and engaging in frequent performance conversations with team members.
• Delegate authority, consult with, and guide staff to achieve goals and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
• Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues and donors by providing ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.
• Participate in the recruitment process of other staff as requested by management.

Perform any other task to contribute to the smooth running of the organization at the request of the hierarchy.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Finance Management, accounting or an equivalent university degree; plus
• Professional experience of at least ten (10) years with at least five (05) years in a similar position, preferably in an international NGO, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, financial and general ledger management, financial controls, and project management including demonstrated ability to develop and monitor budgets, and collaboratively manage operational activities.
• Excellent capacity building, team building/management, and coordination skills.  An ability to ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and coach and mentor junior staff.
• Knowledge of donor regulations including USAID and/or other foreign government development agencies, and other multilateral development agencies is a plus.
• Interest in international development and public health programs as well as an understanding of the synergy between the programmatic, operational, and financial components in project design and implementation, highly desirable.
• Ability to negotiate/support negotiations effectively with donors, troubleshoot issues, and take proactive approaches to improving financial and budget management processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French.
• Good level (spoken and written) in English.
• Proven knowledge of online accounting systems a must; QuickBooks is an asset.
• Highly computer literate including knowledge of Microsoft office suite (Word; PowerPoint; Outlook), and strong Excel skills, including pivot tables.
• Ability to:
  • perform duties that require a close attention to detail;
  • prioritize workload, assume responsibility for work, and follow through to completion.
  • maintain balance when under stress.
  • work in a decentralized organizational structure with a highly collaborative approach.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to

[email protected]

noting the job title in the subject line.  Applications will be accepted until 26 March 2021.

Please note that a copy of your application letter must be sent to the NGO Desk officer, Ministry of Labor, New England. A photocopy of a valid labor card should be attached to all applications 

In the spirit of our namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all types is fully valued.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, caste, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic that has no bearing on the ability to perform the required job duties.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or Tel: 0718397967

HELEN KELLER INTL

• DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, TEST, AND INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).
• DOES NOT ASK FOR INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
• DOES NOT RECRUIT THROUGH ANY RECRUITMENT AGENCY