Finance and Operations Support Manager (FOSM)

Overview:

War Child UK (WCUK) works with children who, as a result of conflict, live with a combination of poverty, exclusion and insecurity. These children might include street children, child headed households, children conscripted into armed groups, and children who have been put in prison. Our mission is to support and improve the care and protection of children and young people who live with a combination of insecurity, poverty and exclusion in some of the worse conflict-affected places. We look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war. This is a vision that can only be realised through the collective actions of children themselves, communities and their leaders, organisations like War Child, governments and key decision makers.

Purpose of Post:
In response to the sustained impact of conflict and insecurity across Afghanistan, WCUK is managing operations to meet the protection, education and livelihoods needs of children and their families. This includes children in conflict with the law, street-working children, internally displaced children, and unaccompanied and separated children. We are recruiting for a Finance and Operations Support Manager who will be responsible for sound financial management and grants management in the Afghanistan programme. S/he will work with work closely with the various stakeholders and will ensure the implementation of WCUK financial management policies, practices, and procedures.

The role of the Finance and Operation Support Manager (FOSM) is to ensure the smooth running of the country operations, so as to enable programme staff and other stakeholders to carry out the WCUK programme most effectively and efficiently. In this capacity the FOSM must ensure efficient, transparent and reliable finance and operations processes and outputs and generate timely and relevant information to facilitate informed decision making by the management and the programme team. The most important responsibility is budget management and tracking spending, generating up to date and timely financial monitoring reports and alerting the management in case of major under/ over spending or any shortfalls as well as timely donor reporting. Support the programme team and the management through efficient and effective management of the operations. As a member of the in-country Senior Management Team (SMT), actively participate in strategic discussions and advise.

A) JOB SPECIFICATION: TASK AND RESPONSIBILITES:

2.1. Financial Management & Administration
• Lead on all financial management and reporting across the Afghanistan programme, including advising and supporting the Country Director (CD) in maintaining efficient financial control and budget management and tracking, including donor reporting. Monitor and analyse financial risks in line with WCUK’s global financial manual.
• Monitor and, as necessary, coordinate compliance activities of all country offices to remain abreast of the status of all compliance requirements and to identify trends.
• Identify potential areas of financial compliance vulnerability and risk; develop/implement corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues, and provides general guidance on how to manage similar situations in the future.
• Preparation of Afghanistan monthly financial reports and project specific variance reports (BVA) and submission to the management.
• Management of the Bank Accounts including deposits, processing in the online banking and withdrawals on behalf of the organization and preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Proactively engage in proposal budget development, implementation and revision as may be required.
• Preparation of donor reports and verification for accuracy of documentation.
• Develop an effective compliance training for programme and support teams.
• Build capacity of the support staff in the country office and our partners through on-the-job training as well as organized training programmes and workshops.
• Supervise staff in the finance, logistics, HR and administration departments.

2.2 Logistics
• Directly responsible for procurement and management of supplies, vehicles, assets, stock, computers (PCs and laptops), server and communication (as a delegated responsibility of the CD).
• Manage NGO registrations, work permits, visa and insurance issues.

2.3 Information & Communication Technology
• Responsible for management and maintenance of IT and communications (laptops, printers, telephone and other means related to Information and Communication Technology).
2.4 Human Resource Management
• Ensure that the National Staff HRM policies (HRM instruments and systems) are in place and adhered to.
• Ensure that HR policies and practices are in line with the local legislation and keep the management informed of the updates/ changes in the local labour and other relevant laws.
• Ensure efficient HR administration and documentation.
• Oversee that the recruitment and performance management of national staff is robust and in line with local and organisational procedures.
• Support the CD and HR team in driving the learning & development of national staff.
• Advise the CD, HR team, and other managers on organisational development and employee related issues.
• Advise and ensure National staff adhere to War Child’s Global HR Policies and Practices.

2.5 Management of staff
Line Manage the finance, admin/HR & logistics (including ICT) and support staff, by guiding, coaching, instructing, motivating and performance management.

2.6 Overall
• Advise and support the CD on the above subjects
• Update the relevant support team members at HQ about developments in Finance, HR, Logistics and ICT at country level
• Build capacity of support staff and local partners in finance/logistics/HR/admin processes

B) PERSON SPECIFICATION – ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
War Child’s office is a lively and fast-paced environment made up of a team of extremely dedicated staff & volunteers. We’re looking for someone who can fit in well and bring their personality, experience and professionalism to the Afghanistan programme.
Experience and mandatory criteria:
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) degree with a major in Accounting or Finance
• Significant experience in Finance, HR, Procurement and Logistics with an International NGO
• Familiar with UN, EC, ECHO and OFDA reporting systems
• Able to work in unpredictable and at times insecure environments, following organisational and wider sector security procedures
• Demonstrated experience managing donor funds and ensuring compliance with donor requirements
• Demonstrated experience of capacity building of staff
• Understanding of risks and related relevant controls primarily in the overall grant cycle including program, financial and procurement cycles

Technical Skills/Expertise:
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, Dari/Pashto are a distinct advantage
• Wide experience in the use of computer applications; clear understanding on the usage of financial software systems
• Supervisory skills

Competencies (Soft Skills):
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds; high degree of sensitivity toward others
• Personal commitment and drive for results, and adaptability in the workplace;
• Ability to plan ahead and meet deadlines
• Treat information with the confidentiality it deserves
• Willingness to roll sleeves and be hands on to manage and complete tasks
• Understand and recognise the urgency of tasks and deliver on time
• Proactive, able to multi-task and flexible

Desirable Criteria:
• Mature individual with leadership qualities
• Experience of working in Afghanistan
• Good sense of humour

C) CONTRACT TERMS
Working Hours: Full time
Probation: 6 months
Start date: ASAP
Salary: £34,650 to £36,225 per annum (basic salary) plus
In-country allowance of 30 USD (Per Diem/Daily living allowance) when in country of post
Leave: 30 days per annum
Pension: Matching contribution to your private pension up to 5% of gross salary
Other: As per War Child Terms and Conditions: Private accommodation, Rest & Recuperation, travel, private and emergency medical coverage, etc.