Project Finance Lead (Chartered Accountant) - Programme Management Unit (South Africa) at Genesis Analytics

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

• Reporting to the Head of Delivery in the Programme Management Unit (PMU) and Head of Finance, the Project Finance Manager is responsible for providing high-quality oversight of project finance management within PMU and technical accounting support across the Genesis project portfolio. Working closely with the project accountants, project managers, and commercial and finance teams, the role is expected to have individual project finance responsibilities and be a focal point for coordination on all matters related to project finance within Genesis.
• The Project Finance Manager is crucial in overseeing and managing the project financial processes and improvements, and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. The Project Finance Manager proactively contributes to the effective financial planning and monitoring, and provides accurate financial oversight of projects, providing a solution-focused approach to ensure day-to-day support to the practices throughout the project life cycle (from pre-award planning and budgeting to post-award reporting and close-out). The Project Finance Manager ensures compliance with internal policies, procedures and guidelines, as well as donor requirements and accounting principles, driving continuous improvements in systems, business processes and working practices.

Requirements
KEY REQUIREMENTS AND ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee, monitor and control the financial position of projects, including budgeting, cash flows, revenue, expenditure and indirect cost recovery.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, procedures and guidelines, as well as compliance with donors’ requirements.
• Support day-to-day accounting activities, and ensure accurate financial reporting, compliant with accounting principles, standards, and regulations, including supervising timely and accurate submissions of tax returns.
• Responsible for providing project finance support to an agreed portfolio of projects, providing timely, accurate and relevant project financial information to practices and stakeholders. 
• Provide support on submitting accurate, timely and complete proposal budgets, as well as budget realignments, forecasts, and cost modifications.  
• Actively contribute to the effective monitoring of project spending, and oversee the compilation and consolidation of financial reports, ensuring that they are complete, comply with donors’ specifications and internal policies, reflect costs incurred, are supported and consistent with financial records, reflected in the correct periods and properly allocated to budget categories
• Identify, assess and report on material risks in a timely manner, communicating to relevant stakeholders and escalating when necessary.
• Manage financial audits and liaise with external auditors to ensure a smooth audit process.

Project Finance Processes Management 

• Drive efficiency in project financial operations and delivery through implementing best practices and agile working practices.
• In collaboration with Finance and Commercial teams, support the design and management of systems, policies and procedures that provide appropriate levels of security, control and accountability of donor funding.
• Identify continuous process improvement opportunities,  and coordinate with relevant teams to streamline financial processes and drive efficiency.

Team Management and Capacity Building

• Manage and support the Project Accountants’ team, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment
• Foster professional growth through training, performance evaluations, and skills development to strengthen knowledge, skills and abilities on financial management of the projects
• Ensure that the team operates as a high-performing, efficient unit with clear, documented responsibilities aimed at fulfilling expectations from stakeholders across the organization. 
• Build a flexible and resilient team by fostering job-shadowing and knowledge sharing.
• Develop strong networks and relationships with practices and GS teams.
• Develop work-processes and checklists for award implementation and record the lessons learned. 
• Develop onboarding and training materials as required.

Finance Support

• Support the organisation’s Finance on policy audit and implementation.
• Support the organisation’s Finance on identified matters, as agreed, including internal audits.
• Participate in relevant Finance meetings.

Other Responsibilities

• Educate and promote the staff’s understanding of financial processes and policies.
• Coordinate knowledge management initiatives.
• Assist with induction of new joiners.
• Other tasks as agreed.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL COMPETENCIES:

• CA(SA) designation is essential.
• Bachelor's/Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field;
• Proven experience as a project finance professional, with a strong track record of successfully managing the financial aspects of complex projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions to contribute to the company's overall financial success.
• A deep understanding of financial regulations, accounting principles, budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience in financial management of institutional funding, and understanding of donor financial guidelines and requirements.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and use professional confidence to influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems.
• Experience in managing a team, including performance management and development.
• Independent self-starter able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment.
• Ability to collaborate, delegate and work well under pressure, meeting tight deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities.
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to plan, organise, and prioritise tasks effectively, while maintaining attention to detail.