Senior Finance Manager

Job Description

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INTERNAL & EXTERNAL 

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone  

GOAL has been operating in Sierra Leone since the late 1980s, initially in emergency response, with a permanent presence since  1999 response, with a permanent presence in country since 1999. GOAL operates from its main office based in Freetown, with other  sub operational offices in Kenema, Kambia, Bombali, and Moyamba Districts. GOAL implements programmes in 8 of Sierra Leones  16 districts: Western Area Urban, Kambia, Kenema, Bombali, Port Loko, Koinadugu, Karene, Moyamba, and hires over 165 staff  across the country. Our programmes focus on the WASH and Health sectors including urban and rural WASH programmes, health  system strengthening, social and behaviour change; Blue Economy and FSL; and emergency response programming. 

On this note, GOAL Sierra Leone would like to invite well experienced and professional applicants for the replacement role: 

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone 

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian and development agency, committed to working with communities to  achieve sustainable and innovative early response in crises, and lasting solutions to poverty and vulnerability. GOAL has worked in  over 60 countries and has responded to almost every major humanitarian disaster. We are currently operational in 14 countries globally. GOAL has been operating in Sierra Leone since the late 1980s, initially in emergency response, with a permanent presence since 1999. GOAL operates from its main office based in Freetown, with other sub operational offices in Kenema, Kambia, Bombali,  and Moyamba. GOAL implements programmes in 7 of Sierra Leone’s 16 districts: Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural, Kambia,  Kono, Bombali, Moyamba, and Kenema, and hires has over 165 staff across the country. With a multi-faceted portfolio, our  programmes focus on building resilience via systems strengthening within the WASH, Health, and Food and Nutrition Security  sectors, including urban and rural WASH, health system strengthening, blue economy, climate change, social and behavioural  change, and emergency response programming. 

Overview of the role 

Based in Freetown office, the Senior Finance Manger will contribute to achieving high quality programming by ensuring effective  grant management including, compliance requirements, and reporting. S/he will monitor and assist program managers with the  financial management of programme budgets including expenditure forecasting and ensuring the Budget Monitoring Tool (BMT) is  completed in a timely manner. 

Main responsibilities 

➢ Preparation of all active grants BMT/Budget Monitoring Tools/ and submission to AFC for review. Preparation of journals and import to sage after codes have been reviewed by AFC. Ensure that all the BMTs are rolled out by the 14 working days of the  month (deadline 18th of the month)-Ensure all the BMTs are review by AFC or FC before submission to the budget holders. 

➢ Support the AFC with grant set up for donor budget (create account code, structure, and import to sage according to the donor template), after creating a code updated to finance form & share to all staff. 

➢ Support the ACF prepare all donor report / Address all donor queries. 

➢ Support AFC in all donor audit (Provide documents for audits, liaise with auditors, filing of all reports (Soft & Hard Copies) relating  to the audit. 

➢ Coordinate with respective budget holders to ensure budgets are correctly allocated and aligned.

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➢ Monitor grant payment schedules and income requests for respective portfolio in a timely manner. ➢ Be familiar with all GOAL organizational and donor portfolio compliance requirements and ensure high quality management of  grants through meeting of KPIs and deadlines. 

➢ Assist in training and capacity building related to GOAL Grants Management/donor compliance as required. ➢ Visit field offices to support with capacity building of staff and partners and monitoring purposes. ➢ Monitors new funding opportunities, assist in business plan development where applicable. Works with the relevant stakeholder to ensure delivery of high-quality funding submissions, reflecting outcomes focused programs. 

➢ Provide training and support to partners in the implementation of GOAL standard financial reporting.  ➢ Support Program Development and Quality Manager to develop ‘Partnership package’ to guide partners to ensure compliance  in their implementation. The ‘Partnership package’ would include templates and guidance on their use and would include  procurement, stock, and fleet management as well as financial management.  

➢ Support the partners to develop policies: financial manual, procurement manual and human Resources Manual.  ➢ Carry out the initial financial assessment of potential partners and develop a capacity gap plan, and continuous assessment of  the capabilities of each partner and identity potential control risk to GOAL with the support of the PDQ Manager. ➢ Support in the preparation partners’ agreements for review and approval.  

➢ Ensure partners maintain systems of financial control consistent with GOAL standard including proper filing of supporting  documents, monthly reconciliations of cash/bank books, payroll preparation and reconciliation, controls over access and  distribution of cash/cheques.  

➢ Any other duties and tasks as shall be assigned. 

Safeguarding 4 

• Maintain safe working environment for all staff/beneficiaries. 
• Ensure risk mitigation measures are in place and adhered to. 
• Ensure staff/beneficiaries fully understand Safeguarding reporting procedures. 
• Ensure Safeguarding measures are implemented within areas of responsibilities 
• Ensure do-no-harm to children and vulnerable adult we meet. 
• Follow-up, and address, Safeguarding issues appropriately. 

Requirements (Person Specification) 

• Ability to work with excel, SAGE, BMT; proficiency in standard office software packages; proficiency in verbal and  written English; firm belief in teamwork, demonstrated technical ability, sound judgment, ability to interact and work  effectively with others at all levels; good communicator, facilitator and trainer; flexible and capable of working with an  international country team; attention to detail, ability to work to deadlines. 
• Keeping confidentiality, accountability, excellence, adaptability, innovation, and coaching, facilitating change, planning  and organizing 

Essential 

• Degree in Accounting or related field with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience of which at least 2 years  with an INGO  
• Qualified accountant. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent. 
• At least one year’s team management experience 
• Willingness and ability to work in a pressurized environment, producing work of high quality to strict deadlines.  • Experience in dealing with institutional donors such as FCDO, USAID, EC, UN, private foundations. Familiarity with  donor rules and regulations (Particularly EU, Irish Aid, USAID). 
• Flexible and reliable, with excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills. 
• Excellent analytical and writing skills (English) 
• Strong IT skills and systems experience – Advanced Excel experience and SAGE experience is highly desirable. 

Safeguarding 

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum  possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any  other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and  reference checks in the selection process for all candidates. 

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Accountability within GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered  a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety,  confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols. 
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area. • Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic Finance Team, please send your cover letter and up to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm 9th December, 2025 , please note that a copy of the application letter must  be sent to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour, New England or emailed to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion,  sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.