Head of Finance - Fintech CEO's Office at MTN

Responsibilities
Context (Global influences, environmental / industry demands, organizational mission etc.)

• We at Fintech SA are a purpose and value-led organization.
• At MTN Fintech SA we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Fintech Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.
• MTN are setting a new Head office Fintech Business, to build a Global Fintech Business in the Netherlands. 
• Running project for Group Fintech and core management player approved by Group Fintech Exco
• New initiative start up conditions
• New Industry initiative to improve Group Fintech EBITDA Margin and profitability of Shareholders 
• Need to develop local team to assist Group Fintech wide support and rollout to 16 OPCO’s
• Political risk related to financial decision making
• Management of corporate governance and Financial Reporting
• As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results.
• A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!
• Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

• Strategy Development and Implementation
• Provide input into the overall strategy in line with the overarching business goals, ensuring that MTN FINTECH maintains and improves its leadership positioning
• Define overall functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Define and communicate overall Finance Strategy and lead Business Plan development with respective stakeholders on an annual basis and its ongoing monitoring
• Translate the strategy into operational initiatives and plans and drive execution

Staff Leadership & Management

• Coach and mentor direct reports to ensure staff motivation is high to achieve high performance areas
• Ensure skill transfer for staff development, motivation and business continuity
• Guide and direct suppliers and third parties in achieving Opco objectives
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions.
• Manage team (including recruitment, on-boarding, attrition)
• Set goals and objectives for direct reports, monitor progress and maintain motivation
• Set up appropriate structure to meet departmental management objectives
• Provide an advisory function on governance and best practices in client

Operational Delivery
Functional Leadership: 

• As the functional leader of the Finance vertical, the role is accountable to:
• Monitor and align the direction, strategy, and results of the Finance vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with
• Provide feedback to Opco CEO, Group CFO and other relevant stakeholders on current process’ effectiveness and efficiency
• Hold meetings with other OpCo CFO’s, Head of Finance’s and Group Finance team to suggest internal process/work stream improvement techniques
• Lead and drive an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the function
• Monitor true-value metrics to measure the impact and benefit of the function to OpCo. Drive continuous improvement across all verticals
• Generate visibility for the true-value contributions of the function within Opco Cameroon to drive greater service acceptance and adoption

Financial & Procurement Operations

• Act as chief advisor and strategist providing needed support to the CEO and Group CFO with respect to the identification of financial risk and long-term financial effect of business decisions (through Financial Scenario Analysis)
• Representation and management of specific Opco related committees – including the Risk & Audit Committee and the Capex committee
• Oversee maintenance of integrity of the MTN FINTECH financial data, financial processes, procedures, and financial controls in line with established accounting processes, regulations governing the business and internal control policies
• Lead the Forecasting, budgeting and financial planning process for the OpCo to ensure all budgets adequately reflect periodic resource requirements and revenue estimates for the business, communicate the same to the Group
• Support the OpCo CEO with funding requirements where required by liaising with external Financial Services organizations as may be required to ensure the business remains adequately funded in terms of Debt, Equity & Working
• Drive the cash flow of MTN FINTECH ensuring generation of sufficient funds for day-to-day operations and CAPEX spend; monitor actual spending and ensure financial compliance with all business transactions
• Ensure that accounting KPIs are reported to Group Finance Teams regularly and any deviations from the budget are reported
• Review and approve all finance & accounting transactions and ensure processes/procedures are effective and comply with regulatory and statutory requirements/compliances and Group Finance policies and directives
• Expand MTN FINTECH’s outreach activities and referral networks to ensure valuable and effective financial partnerships and alliances are forged that facilitate business growth and expansion over time
• Establish an effective financial management framework covering treasury, tax planning, financial control and management information systems (MIS) processes and which support MTN’s mission and business objectives and enable the effortless production of relevant periodic reports
• Implement tax risk management strategies and review all computations and submissions in alignment with the risk framework
• Oversee local procurement activities and resolve issues, if any. In case of Opco-critical challenges, escalate to Group Finance team
• Lead the budgetary process to ensure all budgets adequately reflect periodic resource requirements and revenue estimates for the Opco, co-ordinate the periodic financial performance monitoring and reporting activities of the Company
• Responsible for the review, approval and / or update of business plans, budgets and forecasts of the function
• Act as a trusted advisor and provide support for the resolution of issues in forums such as Board meetings, Operational Review, etc.
• Drive leadership actions that benefit MTN FINTECH and the telecom industry by influencing legislation and policies, securing tariff revisions, enhancing competitiveness, and improving the operating environment. Strengthen corporate citizenship and brand preference to achieve industry leadership
• Function as a dedicated Brand Ambassador and advocate for MTN Fintech, promoting the company’s values and image both internally and externally

Governance 

• Operational, Tactical and Strategic Meetings
• Hold strategic meetings, ensure relevant participation, and provide guidance and support in the various discussions
• Drive enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Drive adequate risk mitigation and controls and elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Sign off approval on new initiatives
• Provide relevant budget for internal projects
• Prepare proposal on change initiatives, SLA policies and procedures
• Escalations
• Manage and resolve escalations that have impact on critical path of service delivery.
• Escalate issues that will result in significant time, scope, employee/customer or cost impact if not resolved.
• Manage and provide solutions to issues that require formal resolution
• Performance
• Ensure effective execution of day-to-day operations and resolve operational issues
• Review team performance against agreed KPIs and their compliance to SLAs and reverse SLAs
• Review and monitor plan for continuous improvement through leading practice initiatives
• Reporting
• Report monthly to Executive relating on progress made from both project, implementation, and performances perspectives in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organization
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific management requirements as and when necessary
• Budgets
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding operational changes
• Prepare; monitor and control the annual departmental budget to ensure expenditure is in line with the business plan
• Managerial/Supervisory Responsibility
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Provide guidance and leadership ensuring future focus and current efficiency
• Coach and mentor direct reports to ensure staff motivation is high
• Ensure adequate succession planning & that succession plans are achieved
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Ensure the effective management of diversity among personnel in the division
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions
• Manage team (including recruitment, on boarding, attrition)
• Recruit and build a world class team
• Set goals and objectives for direct reports, monitor progress, and maintain motivation

Qualifications
Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary qualification in Financial Management / Accounting / Internal Auditing or related
• CA Certification/ MBA / Masters Advantageous
• Professional Qualification – CA /CPA/ CFA/ACCA or CIMA
• Possession of an MBA/master’s will be advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum 10 – 12 years’ experience in finance, accounting or any other related field 
• Manager track record of 5 years or more at a senior level reporting into the HEAD OF FINANCE / CFO of a large reputable organization; with at least 3 years in telecommunications sector would be advantageous
• Proven experience in the telecommunications industry, with a deep understanding of industry-specific financial practices, regulations, and challenges
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute financial strategies that drive business growth, efficiency, and profitability
• In-depth knowledge of financial regulations, compliance standards, and corporate governance practices, particularly within the telecom sector.
• Hands- on Experience in integrating operational and financial measures to optimize business performance
• Proficient in leading and developing high-performing finance teams, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise (understanding emerging markets advantageous) 
• In-depth understanding of MTN Business Environment, policies and MTN FINTECH’s Business Plan and overall business priorities
• Sound general business knowledge as well as knowledge of core business processes, financial management 
• Deep understanding of best practice; techniques and methodologies and financial management 
• Experience in FMCG/Telecommunications/Retail Banking/Service industry 
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team.
• Attitude of Innovation, inventiveness and thought leadership.
• Abreast of global mind-set and best practice
• English speaker