Partnership - Finance Manager

TITLE: Partnership Finance Manager
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Finance LOCATION: Syria
GRADE: National 2
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:
The Partnerships Finance Manager will be supporting setting and developing the partnership financial management of Syria Country Office. The position is primarily responsible for providing oversight and day-to-day financial management of the SCI Partnerships Department’s, review of partner budgets at the proposal stage, participate in pre-award due diligence processes, financial report review, providing guidance and training to partners in order to strengthen their capacity.
SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Treasury and Financial Compliance

Staff reporting to this post:
• Partnership Finance Coordinator

Budget Responsibilities: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Partnership Development and Management

• Act as the key strategic Finance Business Partner to the Head of Treasury and Program Implementation team to support the growing response in terms of partnership and build the capacity of the team.
• Undertaking capacity assessment of partners’ organization in order to identify capacity gaps and areas of support that the partners will require for effective implementation of the programme financial management requirements. The finance folk for the localization strategy and its implementation.
• Undertake regular support visits to the partners organizations to discuss financial and operational issues/progress and identify ways in which SCI can provide the needed support.
• Support the development of partners’ project budgets, work plan, cash transfer plans and procurement plans.
• Support partners external audit exercise and follow up to ensure that the auditors’ recommendations are followed up and implemented.
• Monitor and follow up the implementation of the agreed work plan and budget to ensure that the programme objectives are being realized in accordance to the programme and partnership agreement and take the necessary actions for any identified deviations.
• Ensuring best in class financial management at field office level – including leadership in respect to recruitment and succession planning; capacity building; implementing efficient & effective processes and accounting systems; improving and ensuring compliance with internal controls.

• Staff Leadership, Mentorship, and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing and efficient & effective organization design within the Budgeting & Reporting teams.
• Ensure that staff understand and are empowered to perform their role especially the budgeting and reporting team.
• 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, measurable 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.
QUALIFICATIONS

• BA Degree in Finance and Accounting, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline.
• Chartered Accountant (CPA, ACMA, ACA, and ACCA) strongly recommended.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
• Minimum of 5 years management experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, of which three at a 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 priorities, 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 budgeting and budget management.
• Excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of computerized 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 and mission and a commitment to its objectives and values.
• Written and verbal fluency in English

Desirable
• 4 years within the NGO / charities sector
• Experience of working in an emergency context.
• Understanding of major donor compliance regulations.
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Organization context

The Organization
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
· All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
· Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.