Company Profile

Our Mission is to empower street connected children and their families in Ghana and beyond to live healthier, happier, and better lives. Since our inception over 20 years ago, we nurtured an inclusive environment that embraces the diversity and uniqueness of everyone. Irrespective of gender, role, or background, we pride our relationships on highest levels of integrity and trust.

Job Description

Careers that empowers young dreamers
When you make a decision to work with Children Believe, you’re not just doing something great for your career, you’re helping empower children around the world to access education, pursue their dreams and be a voice for change. We know there are lots of career options for talented, top performers like you, but not many offer the opportunity to help children live and dream fearlessly. We are currently recruiting for the following position: Finance Manager - Ghana Office

Position Summary

A finance professional with a strong controls background to ensure proper monitoring and review of financial records, reports, risk and compliance with prevalent in-country legislation.  This is a field-centric role and the position holder is expected to provide comprehensive leadership and technical guidance over finance-related functions of Children Believe. The Finance Manager is expected to have a fair understanding and orientation towards child-centred development and the structural / systemic issues with specific reference to gender and social inclusion.

This role includes, but not limited to:

1. Financial Planning & Budgeting - 25% of Time

• Manage the budget process including training, facilitating & reviewing for quality, accuracy and completeness for all programs under the CO, including the annual re-forecast exercise.
• Review Partners’ Annual Budgets and give feedback
• Assist in the preparation of the Country Operating Plan (including budget and cash flow forecasts) and other strategic planning as well as the Country Annual Progress Reports (including budget and cash flow variance analysis).
• Responsible for oversight on all funds flowing to the CO including to various Partners.
• Collaborate with CM and other Children Believe team for harmonizing the financial and compliance management with program / project interventions at the partner level.
• Review regular financial reports from Partners (for programs and projects) and follow up on significant budget variances or reporting deadline issues.
• Prepare and share quarterly departmental budget utilization reports
• Ensure CO expenses are kept at efficient levels

2. Financials & Taxation - 20% of Time

• Prepare and share monthly financial statements and reports with the Director, F&A on a timely basis, including a detailed budget variance analysis and cash flow forecasts, according to Children Believe’s and Local Accounting Standards.
• Present a monthly report to the Country Manager of Partner´s budgetary execution and matters connected to finance / compliance for undertaking informed decisions with possible recommendations.
• Prepare and submit quarterly variance and sponsorship burn rate reports
• Review Partners’ Monthly Reports submitted and give recommendations to address any variance or concern.
• Perform other financial reports and analysis (e.g. cost/benefit) at the direction of the CM and the functional Director. This includes grantors or other special funding organizations.
• Report any financial and operational risk issues and internal control breaches, including negligence and fraud, and non-compliance issues to the CM and/or the Director, F&A and/or the Director, Internal Audit as appropriate, including recommended actions. Follow up on the completion and implementation of approved action plans, monitoring progress until fully resolved.

3. Capacity Building – 15% of Time

• Responsible for capacity building of CO, CO Affiliates/Associates/Partner’s staff members as a facilitative coach and trainer by providing clear, objective and constructive direction that will enable them to fulfill the required Children Believe financial requirements and assist them to design appropriate internal control systems and procedures.
• During field visits undertake trainings for field staff of Partners on issues that needs strengthening.

4. Compliances & Payroll – 10% of Time

• Prepare and submit reports to all local legislative authorities in the prescribed manner in adherence to applicable taxation laws including income tax and professional tax implications.
• Ensure CO Bank accounts are appropriately monitored in compliance with applicable legislations and Children Believe rules.
• Review and give advice on all contracts of a financial nature ensuring appropriate compliances are met.
• Undertake payroll compliance and processing, review all accounts payable and receivable (advances, etc) ensuring accuracy. Handle all related tax and benefit activities ensuring legal compliance.
• Liaise with local HR Advisor and People & Culture for compensation and benefits issues relating to payroll as necessary.

5. Internal Controls and Risk Management –– 20% of Time

• Maintain oversight of Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting (ICOFR), as well as operational internal controls of CO.
• Review Partners (programs and projects) to assess the accuracy and completeness of their financial records and ensure compliance with the MoA, Children Believe, Local and Partner Accounting Standards, policies and procedures under the direction of the Director of Internal Audit. This mandates regular travel to Partner operational locations.
• Provide reports to the CM and Director, Internal Audit on the results of any reviews of controls, or internal audits performed ensuring quality compliance deliverables evidencing Partner’s adherence to MoA, Children Believe’s expectations, i.e. detailed and clear testing documentation
• Coordinate the internal and external audit process of the CO and partners (programs and projects). This includes scheduling the auditing visits with the CO and partners, sharing the Results Report with the Country Director and Executive Directors of the Partner Organization.
• Report on a quarterly basis to the Director, Internal Audit a list of all previously identified and unresolved audit issues per the internal and external audits for the CO and Partners (programs and projects) including action plans and status of implementation.

6. Special Responsibilities – 10% of Time

• Support NBD Manager and CM in the preparation of budget during proposal development, due diligence process and other essential compliances.
• Provide oversight leadership for the financial management of grant projects (Budgeting and Reporting)
• Other related duties as assigned in relation with Children Believe, its subsidiaries or affiliates as the case may be

Required Skills or Experience

The ideal candidate possesses:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics and Auditing; Professional certifications in finance, accounting and auditing will be an asset.
• Minimum 5 years' related finance, accounting and auditing experience including 3 years as Finance Manager.
• Strategic and operational financial planning.
• Hands on experience in planning and preparing organizational budgets for multiple programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of accounting processes, audit scope, planning and procedures.
• Strong information management and documentation skills.
• Knowledge of regulations related to finance, accounting (IFRS, budget) & taxation laws.
• Ability to pre-empt and prevent fraud and corruption.
• Strong computer skills, experience using accounting software and Microsoft Office including Excel
• Excellent in interpersonal, collaborative influence, Conflict Management and Negotiation skills
• A strong team player, able to be a member of different teams at the same time
• Work experience in community development with an understanding of gender and social inclusion and in a non-for-profit organization is an asset.
• Ability to work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluent in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Work experience in the preparation and delivery of training material, sessions and coaching.
• Ability to travel to Partner offices & communities as needed.
• Commitment to Children Believe's Vision, Mission and Values.

Core Values & Competencies:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues and childhood.
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example