Finance Business Partner (Programmes, Grants, Bids & Proposals - Institutional Funding) at Saferworld

Roles and Responsibilities:

Advisory and partnering support

• Support the development of effective finance processing systems (particularly in relation to the management of commercial contracts) and build the capacity of managers and Country Finance teams in implementing sound reporting systems. 50% of time would be spent working on this and supporting the Head of Finance and other teams on joint projects, and share learning and build their capacity on new systems and processes.
• Create solutions to address the financial needs created by commercial contracts, and creating/adapting tools and systems to address these needs, while feeding it to organisational level change.
• Oversee commercial contract reporting to assess quality and trends, and participating in business reviews with country teams of financial performance of these contracts.

Technical

• Develop systems that allow for the more effective and efficient acquisition and financial management of commercial contracts, and build the capacity of colleagues to maintain and benefit from these systems
• Support the annual financial planning and budgeting processes to produce robust plans for Saferworld.
• Strengthen the capacity of country finance teams and support in implementing a robust financial performance management process
• Maintain oversight of all regional offices use of SUN and financial transactions processing and in developing partner relationships
• Lead the development and maintenance of a strong control environment (bank reconciliations and other control accounts, performance management data)
• Assist the London and global finance teams to build their IT and reporting skills. Help to plan training and development for London and overseas teams

Organisational business partnering and team development

• Building knowledge of donor reporting with all colleagues to improve financial management
• Develop strong relationships with colleagues in Regional offices and London. Work with/mentor and support Finance teams in-country to provide proactive, demand-driven capacity strengthening support on finance for Saferworld’s partners
• Provide sound financial strategic advice and analysis to assist the Head of Finance, Business Performance Director, leadership and senior staff in decision making
• Contribute towards the leadership and strategic direction of Saferworld finance management team
• Provide finance support to organisation-wide initiatives and Finance projects (e.g., changes or improvements to financial processes and systems).
• Oversee the implementation of cost recovery policies and risk management procedures in country offices, and sign off budgets for country fundraising proposals
• Design and deliver financial training sessions for finance staff and budget-holders in- country, and wider country leadership as required

Key working relationships Internal relationships

• Head of Funding, Head of Programme Support & Fundraising roles: ensure provision of technical financial support to costing of major funding bids and budgets as required
• Country Representatives– working together on setting up support finance priorities; and working on reflection to feed into changes/improvements to financial systems and processes.
• Head of People and Culture and team: provide technical advice and support in relation to budgeting of compensation and benefits, and any costed reviews of the package
• Regional and Country Finance Managers – provision of technical leadership and oversight

Externalrelationships

• The role engages directly with donors, partners and suppliers/external consultants

Scope and accountability

Decision making and limits of authority

• Recommendations on finance/commercial systems development and improvements
• Development and implementation of financial controls and procedures
• Donor reporting and compliance issues
• This is primarily a finance partnering/advisory role where strategic decisions are taken by the finance team in country or are under the Country management responsibility.

Financial resources

• Contributes to budgetary and financial planning support across the organisation
• Preparing and monitoring the budget

Other resources

• Development of financial systems used globally for tracking profit on commercial contracts

People management

• Capacity strengthening of finance colleagues and partners (HO, global, Regional, and country office)
• Technical supervision and support to delegated Country- based Finance Managers who are dealing with commercial contracts

Legal, regulatory and compliance responsibility

• Ensure financial systems are aligned to and compliant with financial regulations and internal financial policies and procedures
• Ensure financial/commercial contracts systems and procedures are compliant with donor/contract requirements
• Ensure donor reporting and compliance obligations are met

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Experience working as a finance business partner/senior management position in the charity sector, ideally within a matrix organisation structure with an entrepreneurial mind- set
• Proven experience in budgeting and forecasting with a mix of restricted and unrestricted funds, including commercial contracts –including budget development, monitoring and accounting of profit
• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA)
• Experience of project management across an organisation including an ability and willingness to undertake 'hands-on' tasks such as preparing budgets, cash flows and other financial planning, management and control processes
• Understanding of key operational and strategic considerations relating to institutional fundraising, grant making processes, donor reporting requirements, financial reporting with institutional donors
• Track record in anticipating change, understanding its impact on the organisation and supporting process to adapt to change
• Track record in working with people without line management responsibility, and influencing change
• Good knowledge of Sun system and Q&A and other reporting tools.
• Experience of working with a wide range of finance and non-finance colleagues, including overseas offices

Skills and abilities

• A positive business-needs centred approach and ability to work in a business partnering model with managers across the organisation
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with a wide range of people, including across cultures and with those at a distance.
• Ability to lead and motivate others through a positive can-do attitude and inclusive team ethos, building strong relationships and partnerships across finance and other departments
• High levels of technical and systems skills and ability to balance a strategic approach with strong hands-on work ethic.
• A hands-on person manager, able to support colleagues and create a learning environment, within the bustle of the day-to-day accounting environment
• Sensitivity to context, geographical dynamics that drive conflict and division, and power imbalances