Head of Finance, Africa at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

• Reporting to the Head of Operations (Africa), the Head of Finance (Africa) will be based full-time either in Nairobi/Johannesburg and will develop and deliver our Africa Finance operating model and ensure all finance systems and processes perform at the highest levels of professionalism and capability in accordance with global and, where relevant, local policies and standards.
• As a new role in the startup of our operational hub in Africa, this will need a highly commercial and entrepreneurial approach to establishing a cost-effective, future-proof and scalable model. The focus of the role will change over time, requiring a hands-on and problem-solving approach from the outset to best support our growth in the region, before shifting to more steady-state operations to facilitate the successful delivery of all our client-facing and other teams in the region.

Role Responsibilities
Functional Leadership

• Develop and deliver an Africa operating model for the Finance function, implementing the relevant systems, policies and processes, and aligning with other operational functions (Legal, Security, IT and People)
• From the point of start-up, ensuring the delivery of timely, effective and quality support to local and regional stakeholders across the Finance function
• Collaborating with our global Finance team in London, counterpart Finance Managers in other regions, and as part of the global community of operational roles
• Identify, assess, and inform regional leadership of any internal and external finance matters that may impact operations at an organizational level, recommending interim or permanent solutions wherever possible and applicable
• Lead or collaborate with others on special projects and other operational assignments as directed by regional leadership
• Accountable for month-end process including accruals, prepayments, balance sheet and reviewing cash reconciliations
• Continue to roll out the functionality of Workday and contribute to a five-working-day close

Systems, Policies and Processes

• Ensure the implementation of global policies and standards for Finance across the region and any relevant local variations
• Providing dedicated financial support to leadership and budget holders within the regions, including cost modelling and forecasting and variance and performance analysis
• Enhance cash flow reporting within W&C Africa region, and improve the use of funds, maximising cash flow and liquidity
• Produce Month end reports for region
• Continue to roll out the functionality of Workday and contribute to a five-working-day close
• Review and establish a reformed banking regime and signatories within region

Regional Growth

• Support leaders in the region and across the organization to establish TBI’s presence in new countries, including the financial aspects of end-to-end program activation (and, where relevant, closure) and support on regional procurement and negotiations by providing financial analysis and ensuring contracts are compliant with TBI and donor regulations
• Review and establish more efficient payroll process & vendors for the region
• Assist in the regionalisation process to ensure that we have the right systems, processes and capabilities within the region as we move to be regionally empowered

Person Specification
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change aims to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in an interconnected world. We do this through developing policy and advising governments.
This is a role in a fast-paced team, working within complex divisions that are highly scrutinised. Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Open and Progressive – you will believe in the value of teamwork
• Bold and Pragmatic – you will approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity
• Optimistic Changemakers – you will be focused on results
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and perform other duties as reasonably required to achieve the goals of your team and the Institute
• Qualified accountant
• Experience working within an NFP - preferable
• Knowledge of accounting for donor funds – preferable
• Dynamic, confident candidate who can articulate verbally and by written presentation; ability to express complex ideas in a clear and straightforward manner to a variety of stakeholders
• Must be able to take ownership and manage their own workflow with minimal input from management, set their own goals and plan how to achieve them – translate into actions and follow through to completion, prioritise against tight deadlines
• A motivational, collaborative and supportive manager and team-player, with demonstrable experience in working as part of a team
• Great interpersonal skills - able to establish good cross departmental working relationships
• Enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious and always seeking continuous improvement
• Positively embraces change, maintaining an open curious mindset
• A keen interest in our work as an Institute, expansion and sharing of knowledge and personal development