HEAD OF GRANTS AND FINANCE

JOB SUMMARY:

The Head of Grants and Finance ( HGF) is responsible for supporting CARE SSDN’s (CARE South Sudan) financial health and viability by ensuring good financial planning and management as well as overall compliance with CARE, donor and government rules and regulations at the Country Office level. The Head of Grants and is responsible for the day to day financial operations at the Country Office level; implementing CARE International’s financial systems to provide effective support to the Country Office. He/she plans, directs, and is responsible for providing quality financial services to all projects, units and staff in the CO.

With increase in funding being channeled through Partners, the Head of Grants & Finance Manager (HGF) position is to lead, manage and direct overall Agreement & Partner Agreement Management function of CARE South Sudan working very closely with the Deputy Country Director- Programs , Award Management Solutions (AMS), CARE South Sudan Partnership, Grants and finance teams , ensuring compliance with CARE and donor requirements. S/he is responsible for compliance with the CARE International (CI) partner funding agreement policy : mutual assessment of partners (e.g. Due Diligence Assessment); contracting; mutual financial and compliance monitoring; compliance with donor agreement terms and conditions, and CARE’s relevant policies including CARE USA’s Agreement Management Policy.

The Head of Grants and Finance reports to the Country Director, works closely Senior Management to ensure that partnership is developed between finance, programs and administration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership and Functional Management

• Lead the Finance Department in an effective and efficient financial planning and management of resources:
• Manage the Finance Team towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, on-going feedback and appraisals. Pro-actively address performance issues through timely constructive feedback and coaching.

Strategic Agreement Management and Planning – Policies, Procedures & Systems

• Ensure that CARE SSDN is provided with the financial management, analysis and support necessary to accomplish its strategic objectives.
• As a senior manager, ensure effective collaboration with all department/unit heads and support them with their financial planning processes. Participate in strategic & operational planning at CO level, contributing personal expertise in financial management; and contributing to regional level discussions on CARE’s financial management practices, operating model, etc
• Ensure that all required internal controls are in place and followed and continuously identify ways of tightening them in the light of the high risks for fraud in SSDN;

Partners monitoring and capacity building

• Ensure that assessments of organizational capacity and due diligence (DDA) have been carried out for all of potential & current partners in the country in accordance with the CI Partner Funding Agreement Policy, ensure results are documented and submitted for approval.
• Draft Partner Framework Agreements, Pre-Authorization Letters (PALs), Letters of Authorization (LOA), and other appropriate partner funding agreements for the new partners for approval.
  Facilitate partner agreement set up of new partners in PeopleSoft.
• Monitor funds disbursed, and liquidations received in PeopleSoft. Analyze aging of the remaining funds on a monthly basis based on PeopleSoft reports and escalate issues as needed.
• Provide a supporting role to the Partnership Manager:

* Support the development and implementation of strategies for bridging the partner capacity gaps that are identified during partner assessments and project implementation.
* Propose Capacity Strengthening plans designed to meet the partnership capacity strengthening goals with required budget/resources.
* Ensure capacity improvements plans are prepared and executed by the relevant grants staff in the country operations and results are documented and filed.
* Jointly facilitate and coordinate the provision of training and capacity building activities to local partners in line with CARE and donor policy.
* Assess training and development needs of partners and conduct capacity strengthening, as necessary.
* Assess and strengthen CARE staff capacity to work effectively with partners in accordance with CARE policies and donor requirements.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Establish the processes by which the country budget will be developed, adhering to CARE USA annual budgeting timeline, guidelines and policies and holding staff country-wide accountable for doing their part.
• Ensure that mechanisms for monitoring, control and review of budget implementation are in place, including quarterly “health check” reviews of CO cost recovery efforts, continuously analyzing the extent to which the CO is recovering its costs (Shared Program Costs, Sub & Field Office Costs);
• Develop systems, take actions and behave in a way which will generate and maintain relationships of mutual trust with donors; liaising with donors to ensure that they are provided with all required information.
• Ensure statutory audits, internal and donor audits are conducted in a timely and professional manner; Cooperating with external audits and leading the implementation of recommendation

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, Finance or Business Management or related field
2. Fully Certified Public Accountant (CPA and / or ACCA)
3. At least five years as a Finance Manager or equivalent experience
4. At least 8 to ten years’ experience working in the developmental and / or humanitarian sector specific technical experience in budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, grants/contracts management and business management
5. Demonstrated experience with financial troubleshooting and audit
6. Thorough understanding of financial accounting, reporting, and grants and contracts management processes
7. Understanding Relevant donor policies and procedures
8. Facilitation skills to conduct training for small, medium and large sized groups
9. Ability to maintain customer focus while handling multiple priorities
10. Ability to learn quickly new systems, processes and procedures and accept local practices to global standards
11. Excellent leadership, coaching and negotiation skills
12. Proficiency in Microsoft office and financial software applications
13. Good communication skills both oral and written in English