Senior Finance Manager (Grants and Partnership Management)

Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1999, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban WASH focusing on faecal sludge management and promoting social inclusion, empowerment, and the promotion of decent work through systems-based programme approaches and community led social and behavioural change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban (Freetown), Kambia, Bombali, Moyamba and Kenema Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, Charity: Water, FCDO and Community Foundation of Ireland (CFI).

On this note, GOAL Sierra Leone would like to invite well experienced and professional applicants for the undermentioned position: Job Summary

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1999, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban WASH focusing on faecal sludge management and promoting social inclusion, empowerment, and the promotion of decent work through systems-based programme approaches and community led social and behavioral change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban (Freetown), Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Moyamba and Kenema Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Union, Charity: Water and DFID. 

General Description of the Programme

GOAL is working with the stakeholders and is focusing on the support to DHMTs and Freetown City Council, Water directorate  in planning and management to improve reproductive health and WASH outcomes.
GOAL Sierra Leone is delivering programmes in 6 districts particularly in WASH, Adolescent sexual reproductive health, health system strengthening and inclusion.  In Freetown and Kenema, GOAL implements WASH programming (FSM project utilising the systems approach in Freetown funded under Gates Foundation & Irish Aid and rural WASH with a focus on sanitation marketing, water points sustainability in Kenema funded under CW and IA).  

In Freetown, Kenema, Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu and Moyamba GOAL is implementing health system strengthening including clinical mentorship pilot in Kenema funded by DFID and Irish Aid and an Inclusion Programme focusing on the promotion of decent work through advocacy particularly on the situation of informal sector workers, anti-human trafficking and child labour in collaboration with the World hope International and Sierra Leone Labour Congress funded by the European Union.   

Overview of the role

Based in Freetown office, the Senior Finance Manager (Grants and Partnership Management) 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Support the ACF prepare all donor report / Address all donor queries.
4. Support AFC in all donor audit (Provide documents for audits, liaise with auditors, filing of all reports (Soft & Hard Copies) relating to the audit.
5. Coordinate with respective budget holders to ensure budgets are correctly allocated and aligned.
6. Monitor grant payment schedules and income requests for respective portfolio in a timely manner.
7. Be familiar with all GOAL organizational and donor portfolio compliance requirements and ensure high quality management of grants through meeting of KPIs and deadlines.
8. Assist in training and capacity building related to GOAL Grants Management/donor compliance as required.
9. Visit field offices to support with capacity building of staff and partners and monitoring purposes.
10. 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.
11. Provide training and support to partners in the implementation of GOAL standard financial reporting. 
12. 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. 
13. Support the partners to develop policies: financial manual, procurement manual and human Resources Manual. 
14. 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. 
15. Support in the preparation partners’ agreements for review and approval. 
16. 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. 
17. 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

• Qualified accountant. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.
• At least five years’ experience in a related field.
• 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 DFID, 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. 

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.

General terms and conditions.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offers made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

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 – 19th April, 2024, 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.

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

1. 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. 
2. Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 
3. Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

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.

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. 

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”