NGO JOBS

Position: Country Finance Director Location: Pakistan (based in Islamabad with travel to Field sites)Responsible to: Country Director, Programme Finance ManagerWorking with: Country Management Team, Programme Finance Officer and Head Office
Duration: 24 months, with extension subject to fundingSalary: £37,370 - £38,120 per annum (dependant on relevant experience)Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, R&R, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.

Merlin International ProfileUndaunted and determined, Merlin saves lives. We deliver medical expertise to the toughest places. And we stay to help build lasting health care. Our mission is to end the needless loss of life in the poorest countries caused by a lack of effective health care. We help communities set up medical services for the long term including hospitals, clinics, surgeries and training for nurses and other health workers. We do whatever it takes and we stay for as long as it takes.

Context and BackgroundMerlin’s country programmes vary considerably in terms of their focus, size and complexity, and also in levels of financial capability and strategic thinking. The Country Finance Director is a key member of the Country Management Team, which is responsible for managing existing country activities and developing a clear country strategy and associated income streams.

This role is directly managed by the Country Director, and is technically managed by the Regional Finance Manager in Head Office. This role links directly with the Regional Finance Officer in Merlin’s Head Office in London on a day-to-day basis and the effectiveness of this relationship directly impacts project management and accountability. Appraisal for this role is undertaken jointly by the Country Director and the Programmes Finance Manager.

Main purpose of the roleThe Country Finance Director, as a member of the Country Management Team, plays a key role in developing and implementing the country strategy especially the required financial inputs, as well as ensuring that there are sound financial practices in country and rigorous budgetary control.

This position provides financial management for a multi-programme and multi-site operation in a challenging living and working environment. A key priority in all locations is to embed clear financial management controls and to ensure understanding of and compliance with these by all staff.

Overall Objectives Reporting to the Country Director, and working closely with Regional Finance team in Merlin’s London Head Office, the Country Finance Director will:

• Be a member of the Country Management Team and take the lead role on financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and developing financial management capacity throughout the country.
• Directly manage the Country Finance Team to ensure effective and proactive financial leadership, support and guidance is provided to managers in country.• Be responsible for the preparation and reporting of field finances to head office and ensure that budget preparation, financial reporting and amendment planning for donors is completed in a timely manner and approved by head office before submission.

• Lead on country programme annual audits, as well as donor project audits.• Ensure appropriate systems and procedures, support and guidance for country programmes.

• Ensure that country processes, charging methods and documentation comply in all respects with donor and internal audit requirements

ResponsibilitiesFinancial Oversight• Ensure internal financial procedures, systems, policies and controls are applied and complied with throughout the country programme operations by all staff• Be the lead person and provide financial support on all financial issues in the country Management Team • Develop the funding/finance strategy for the country • Prepare budgets, amendments and forecasts working with the Country Director and others• Provide Head Office with all necessary financial information both proactively and on request • Ensure donor reports and requirements are complied with to maximise available funding• Monitor and control the balance sheet accounts• Be an integral part of the country management structure, ensuring that the appropriate financial reporting is submitted in an accurate and timely manner.• Process and analyse field financial data to ensure that Merlin’s accounts are a true and fair reflection of the current financial situation

Procedures, Systems and Controls• Ensure compliance with local regulations in respect of financial and other matters (e.g. Registration, Foreign Exchange, taxation and labour laws).• Ensure compliance with the financial and other requirements of donors• Ensure the development and implementation of in-country financial security guidelines and regularly review their effectiveness and the compliance of all staff with these guidelines• Conduct internal audits for the field sites every three months, to ensure that all financial and administrative procedures are carried out in line with Merlin policies and guidelines and local Legislation• Regularly review the financial and reporting systems to ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose• Lead the country teams in improving and maintaining adequate financial controls and procedures in the field• Create and maintain systems that flow into and inform programmatic, logistics and HR operations at a Country Management Team level.

Treasury• Co-ordinate and maintain a cash forecasting system to ensure that adequate funds are available to meet the working requirements of the programmes• Ensure that payments are made in a timely and secure manner across all the country operations• Along with the finance department in Head Office, ensure that all debts are recovered promptly• Be fully aware of the overall cash flow position of the country liaising with the treasury function in Head Office.• Compile and maintain the cash flow forecast for all country projects, and ensure that all donor debts are recovered promptly

Donor Reporting & Monitoring of expenditure• Prepare donor financial reports in line with donor reporting requriements• Monitor ongoing levels of expenditure on individual programmes against budget, and provide timely advice of likely over or under-spends to the Country Management Team, and the relevant Programme & Finance teams in head office.• Ensure respective Programme Coordinators and Programme Managers understand variance implications and how to respond to and manage them effectively.

External Relationships & Compliance • Ensure that contractual commitments (e.g. for the rental of vehicles and/or premises) are financially sound and appropriate for the circumstances of the programme. • Liaise with local legal advisors when necessary• Ensure appropriate and timely contact with in-country government agencies to ensure that all legal requirements are met, e.g. work permits, import licences • Liaise with International NGO Finance Directors in-country and actively participate in inter-agency co-ordination meetings.

Management and training• Manage and support the performance and development of the in-country finance and administration staff, to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective service. • Make regular visits to Field sites for monitoring and supervision purposes• Provide financial support, training and advice to all individuals in country.

Person Specification
EssentialQualifications, experience and competences• Qualified accountant ACCA, ACA, CPA, (or equivalent), or substantial relevant work experience• In depth knowledge of financial systems and implementing internal controls • Practical experience of pro-actively monitoring and reporting on budgets• Proven experience of analysing financial information to understand the current situation and to determine the strategic direction• Proven experience of working as part of a Country Management Team• Proven experience of introducing and managing changes to finance systems, procedures and practices• Proven understanding of financial security issues and how to develop appropriate guidelines • Some experience of managing a team within a finance department• Some relevant experience of training/capacity building • Proven administration skills • Strong ability to plan and work independently • Experience of living or working in different cultures and countries• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office with advanced Excel skills• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures • Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues • An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values

DesirableQualifications, experience and competences• Experience and understanding of working in a donor environment and meeting donor compliance requirements• Experience of financial management with an international NGO in an overseas setting • Familiarity with mid-range accounting systems (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, PS Financials)• Experience of office management