COUNTRY FINANCE MANAGER (CFM)

Title

COUNTRY FINANCE MANAGER (CFM)

Functional Area

FINANCES

Reports to

Deputy Country Director – Operations

Location

Bamako, Mali

Travel required

Yes. Travel to field operations.

Effective Date

May 2023

Grade

E

ROLE PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is:

• To provide overall leadership and management of the finance function, promote financial stewardship, accountability, reliability and accuracy of financial reports, ensure effective resources management, accounting and reporting and utilization and safeguarding of assets.
• To implement financial policies for budget, cash management, grants and other donors accounting, project financial review, accounting and reporting in compliance with Plan International Inc. Process and policies.

Dimensions of the Role

• The position directly manages 5 staffs in the Country Finance Department.
• The Country Finance team is composed of around 26 staffs including field and project accountants
• The Country Finance Manager leads the financial services provided within Plan International Mali which has an annual budget of approximately 21 million euros.
• The Country Finance Manager is a member of the extended Country Leadership Team

Accountabilities

Oversight and development of an excellent and high performing finance team within the country

• Recruiting, developing and retaining finance staff
• Establishing and implementing development and training plans for all finance staff
• Leading regular meetings of finance team members including those at the Program Unit
• Ensuring performance management of all finance staff occurs in line with global standards

Grants financial reporting and record keeping are thorough, well maintained and accurate

• Establishing complete grants budgets which include cost recovery of staff costs and support services
• Accurate maintenance of grants expenditure records including supporting documentation which is approved by the appropriate authority
• Review of financial reporting prepared for submission to donors to ensure it is accurate and on time
• Maintaining close monitoring of advances to partners, expenditure reporting by partners and complete supporting documentation

Plan International Mali management and teams are supported by effective financial services, financial information and advice

• Support the Country Director in preparation of funding requests and communicating other business plans to the regional office
• Report country office results against budget and other key financial measures to the Country Leadership Team including advising on issues highlighted by the financials and recommendations to address these
• Support payroll, regulatory returns and tax compliance as required
• Provide efficient purchasing and payment services to Plan International Mali staff
• Ensure financial due diligence of partners is completed as part of partner assessment processes

Budgeting and planning is based on excellent and timely financial data

• Organise and control the annual budget and quarterly reforecasting processes including communicating instructions and meeting deadlines
• Consolidate and review country operational budgets

Financial reporting and cash management is accurate and compliant with established policies and procedures

• Manage the general ledger and cash management processes including cash forecasting
• Prepare flow charts for key financial processes
• Updating of the financial authorisation matrix and obtaining the approval of the Country Director at least annually and more frequently if required
• Ensure finance related audit actions are implemented and alternative actions taken as required to address weaknesses in financial controls and procedures identified in finance and other forms of audit reports

Child Protection and Children Safeguarding and Gender Equality

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key relationships

• Deputy Country Director – Operation
• Country Director and Country Leadership Team
• WACAH Finance Director in updating on finance management issues and information
• Global Hub Finance Team
• Plan International Mali partners on financial issues

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Knowledge

• Professional Financial/Accounting qualification (CPA or equivalent)
• Knowledge of the sector and the financial management issues specific to it is an advantage
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, Control standards and the reporting requirements of major international grant donors

Skills

• Proven effective management skills leading teams across several sites and operating in a multi-cultural and matrix management structure
• Excellent proven financial analytical skills
• Ability to demonstrate and foster in team members a strong commitment to meeting the needs of other employees and managers for financial services
• Fluent French and good written and spoken English
• Proficient in Microsoft office packages
• Striving for high performance across the team and for Plan International’s business
• Strategic thinking and innovation – fining efficiencies in the use of resources
• Decision making and risk management – identification and action on financial risk management in line with compliance requirements
• Influence and communication – able to communicate concerns to managers and teams
• Building effective teams and partnerships – with teams and suppliers
• Developing people – leaving a legacy of a locally able team
• Self-awareness and resilience – operating in a highly volatile and developing context
• SAP knowledge will be highly appreciated

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

The position is based at the country office (Bamako) which is a typical office environment

It requires travel to program unit operations, which may account for up to 25% of working time

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction