Job Opportunities at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

The jobholder has overall responsibility of the financial control and compliance function. They will also be responsible for ensuring best in class financial controls and management at field office level – including capacity building; implementing efficient & effective processes; improving and ensuring compliance with internal control systems.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Financial systems and procedures

• Assist the Head Of Finance in ensuring smooth implementation and updating of robust and adequate financial systems and procedures in line with SCIs finance Policy and good accounting practices
• Develop and update the finance diary that covers all the required activities on a monthly basis and lead staff to ensure that the diary is strictly adhered to.
• Ensure that all financial transactions are fully supported and that they are all captured in AGRESSO on a daily basis; make sure that regular backups are taken and stored off site.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial diaries for both AGRESSO and sub-office finance systems and ensure its strict adherence to the HQ deadlines
• Maintain and ensure the integrity of the SCI’ computerized accounting systems and liaising with Regional Finance Team for any required support

Financial records and transactions

• Carry out sensibility and control checking before and after posting sub-office transactions into AGRESSO.
• Follow up HQ transactions from London and make sure that all are processed in the time and accurately.

Financial reports

• Responsible for timely, accurate and efficient financial reporting (both electronic and manual field returns) to head office
• Responsible for ensuring that reconciliation of balance sheet/control accounts are carried out on monthly basis and ensuring that year-end accounting procedure are met consistently and that any discrepancies are reported to the Head of Finance.

Financial and system controls

• Ensure safe security of cash in the office and coordinate weekly and monthly cash counts, including spot counts
• Ensure that systems are put in place to assure document security for a complete audit trail from the AGRESSO records to supporting documentation and vice versa.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children resources in order to keep costs low and ensure the security of staff.
• Ensure payroll is completed on time and accurately, with robust controls in place.

Audit function

• Lead on annual statutory audits and the financial component of donor audits. Key focus on proactive financial controls, management and supporting documentation in order to ensure 0 disallowances.
• Keep track of statutory and donor specific audit requirements and coordinate closely with awards to initiate required audits on time.
• Lead in managing audit process with External Auditors ensuring smooth audit and provide all documents required by Auditors as and when needed
• Ensure proper soft and hard archiving system is in place in finance as per SCI policies and procedures
• Plan and conduct internal audits for all Sub recipients and field offices with the coordination of the Internal Auditor
• Participate in Audit Entry and Exit meetings and ensure recommendations have implemented before the next audit.

Shared finance services

• Ensure that the shared finance services finance section is working
• Follow up any delays of the payments in the section
• Coordinate with the RO finance and CO finance to ensure that payments are done smoothly.
• Have the review of the payments flow and ensure that is updated regularly

Staff Leadership, Mentorship, and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing and efficient & effective organisation design within the Financial Accounting Function.
• Ensure that all staff understands and are empowered to perform their role.
• Manage team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Recruitment, training, and professional development of team as part of the wider staff development strategy. 
• Performance Management :
  • Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives; ongoing feedback; periodic reviews; and fair and unbiased evaluations;
  • Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
  • Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• BA Degree in Finance and Accounting, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline.
• Chartered Accountant (CPA, ACMA, ACA, ACCA) strongly recommended.
• Minimum of 5 years management experience in a corporate, audit firm or an NGO environment, of which 3 at a middle management level within a finance department.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to lead, inspire and achieve results in a challenging context.
• Strong team player.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and able to communicate with diverse set of stakeholders
• Strong analytical, decision making and strategic planning skills with the ability articulate complex information in an easy to understand manner.
• Solutions focused with ability to identify weaknesses and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritise, plan ahead, and manage a complex and diverse workload with tight deadlines.
• Ability to coach, mentor, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to supervised staff.
• Self-starter who is willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
• Excellent understanding of business and financial planning including strategic modelling.
• Excellent understanding of financial systems, controls and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of computerised accounts packages, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• A full appreciation of the value of co-operation, both internationally and within a team environment.
• Understanding of Save the Children’s vision, mission, and a commitment to its objectives and values.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.

Desirable

• 4 years within the NGO / charities sector or Audit firm
• Experience of working in an emergency context.
• Understanding of major donor compliance regulations (USAID, Dfid, ECHO, OFTA, etc

Closing: 1st August 2022

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As a key member of the Programme Development and Quality Team, the Head of Advocacy and Campaigns supports the delivery of Save the Children’s 2030 ambition and strategy, working in close collaboration with the Director of Programme Development and Quality , Country Director and thematic leads. The role holder is responsible for creating an enabling internal environment for campaigning and advocacy by leveraging resources, building partnerships, and strengthening capacity and capability of Country Offices. He/she supports the development and delivery of strong country advocacy and campaign plans backed by media and communication strategies.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Advocacy and Campaigns

• Develop and nurture relations with key advocacy coordination groups across national and international organisations to ensure that Save the Children’s advocacy work in country is informed, timely and visible.
• Work closely with the regional office and SCI centre to ensure advocacy strategies and activities are guided by Save the Children global campaign strategy, Global Themes advocacy strategies, the advocacy steer of the Global Advocacy Group, and ESA Regional Office influencing priorities.
• Responsible for delivering the ‘be the voice’ components of the Country Strategic Plan, working closely with technical advisors and the Head of MEAL and Research to enable strategic milestones to be achieved through exploring avenues for advocacy and policy development.
• Position Save the Children as the leading organisation for advocacy on children’s issues in Kenya and Madagascar, with child rights at the core of the advocacy work.
• Oversee the implementation of SCI campaigns, working in close relations with programme implementation and technical leads. Devise appropriate campaign tactics to achieve results and regularly review and monitor the impact of these tactics.
• Technical lead on aspects of proposal development relating to advocacy and ensure that common approaches are implemented in order to achieve the country strategic plan and in line with SCI global campaigns and informed by field visits.
• Secure sufficient funding to maintain or expand the country office’s advocacy & campaign activities through stand-alone or integrated programming initiatives as per the country strategic plan needs.
• Lead on the development and delivery of emergency response advocacy and campaigns strategy with a focus on safe and appropriate child participation
• Pro-actively work with external facing SMT members to ensure unified and strategic external representation and advocacy for children in Kenya and Madagascar.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning 

• Establish monitoring and evaluation processes of advocacy work and ensure that advocacy implementation and impact are effectively monitored and evaluated (including through the use of the Advocacy Measurement Tool)
• Ensure Save the Children’s key performance indicators and standards are met.
• Report on an annual basis as part of the Country Annual report on key achievements of advocacy and campaigns and a bi-annual basis on the CSP
• Support evidence-based learning and ensure that lessons learned are collected, analysed and shared demonstrating effective advocacy and campaigns activity

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Lead the advocacy and campaigns by leading the strategic development and delivery process with the team and building a capacity plan to ensure the team are supported to meet the demands and requirements of the team
• Performance manage the CRG Specialist and Humanitarian Advocacy Coordinator  including day to day management, direction and communication and ensuring delivery against clear, measurable objectives, with regular feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
• Coach and mentor and build capacity of staff to achieve their objectives and ensure a succession plan is developed and delivered

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master Degree in policy, social studies or equivalent
• Minimum of 7 years' experience of working with INGOs in senior position in advocacy/policy roles
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in designing and implementing advocacy, campaigns and CRG initiatives/projects
• Experience in engaging the public in campaigns, including the ability to identify “campaign able” objectives within the policy goals, and to plan and evaluate campaign activities
• Experience of working with implementing partners in a consortium and of building coalitions to affect change in policy and issues
• Substantial experience in successfully leading the development and implementation of advocacy, campaigns strategies
• Demonstrable track record of leading change which has led to significant results for the organisation and their stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate influence and negotiate both internally and externally.
• Experience of building, leading and developing colleagues and staff with different backgrounds and expertise.
• Cultural sensitivity, with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching. 
• Experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure. Excellent training, facilitation, and team building skills. Innovative and creative approach to problem solving.
• A general appreciation of the issues concerning the INGO sector with an in-depth knowledge of advocacy issues in Kenya and Madagascar
• Demonstrated understanding of news media and experience of acting as a spokesperson.
• Familiarity with social media to achieve policy changes an advantage.
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, in the event of emergencies
• Commitment to Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

Closing: 31st September 2022