Head of Finance (DBT) - (62/23 JHB) at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Roles and responsibilities:

Financial & Budgetary Management:

• Be accountable and lead on all financial management of the DBT Africa delegated budget (around £5.2million) ensuring -/+1% forecast outturn against budget is reached on a yearly basis.  Monitor day-to-day financial operations within the DBT Africa region through accurate forecasting and financial management.
• Accurately cost staff budgets, manage the budget and report on any variances, regularly reporting back to HQ (London) on our overall financial performance.
• Monitor non-staff budgets of the 18 Country Teams and 7 Sector teams, providing oversight, assurance and challenge as needed to ensure teams remain within budget and policy rules.  

 Financial Reporting & Analysis:

• Provide reassurance and challenge to teams through monthly discussions with London, monthly country audits and quarterly Country Directors and Sector Directors finance deep dives. Prepare Africa pay and non-pay budget (Business Plan) at various currencies, using both historically pegged and current exchange rates
• Provide challenge and support to the senior leadership team through financial reports and interpreting financial information to aid in long-term and short-term decision-making. This includes preparing, monitoring and reporting performance against the annual budget and any longer term financial plans and workforce planning.
• Lead the finance element of the yearly business planning process, ensuring the region secures the funding it needs to deliver its objectives.

Financial Policy, Guidance and Building Capability and Expertise:

• Ensure compliance with local and HQ accounting policies and regulatory requirements. Deliver financial training when required, including finance & procurement induction for new joiners and budget holders.
• Support all teams in the network to effectively manage financial resources and achieve value for money through proactively sharing information and best practice, and providing sound financial advice and help troubleshoot complex financial issues.
• Management of an Administration Coordinator to oversee their work supporting the region. They will support them to deliver on admin activities, finance, HR, event management, internal communications and information management.
• Deputise for the DBT Africa Chief Operating Officer on finance matters as needed and Support them on wider leadership team across an array of finance and non-finance areas.
• Be an active corporate member of DBT Africa.   

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line manage of 1 Administration Coordinator
• £5.2m core budget and £240k Export Support Service budget (held in HQ)

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Tertiary Education with an Accounting/Auditing/Financial focus degree and/or undergraduate degree and financial/accounting professional qualification.
• Experience with Accounting Principles and Processes
• Experience of budget management and forecasting across multiple areas.
• Experience of month end reporting, analysing and presenting financial information.
• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in finance and/or accounting. 
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Attention to detail , with an ability to spot numerical errors
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to quickly grasp financial management reporting tools

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Effective project and time management skills.
• Problem-solving, strategic and analytical capabilities with an excellent record of delivering against measurable metrics and milestones.
• Works independently, Self-starting, proactive and persistence to lead and deliver activity 
• Design automated reports through Quick Sights (not essential, internal training is available)