Grant Finance Manager-World Vision Afghanistan

Grant Finance Manager-World Vision Afghanistan page is loaded Grant Finance Manager-World Vision Afghanistan Apply locations Middle East, Eastern Europe Countries, Cyprus Bosnia-Herzegovina - Home Working Lebanon - Home Working Romania - Home Working Armenia - Home Working time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id JR30948

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories

Key Responsibilities:

Position: Grant Manager Manager

Deadline of applications : 30 April 2024

Location: the position will be based in the home country of the selected candidate within the MEER Region and where WVI is registered

JOB PURPOSE

The position requires providing strategic financial input and support for all funding streams, implementing financial policies related to budgeting, cash management, forecasting, donor funding (especially from governments), recording and documentation, project auditing, monthly financial reporting, and local resource acquisition, while adhering to World Vision International (WV) financial policies. The Grants Finance Manager also advises the Finance Lead and the Senior Management & Senior Leadership Team (SMT& SLT) on risk management, internal control systems, and their impact on grant management and compliance.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES

A. Provide strategic financial grants management support to Afghanistan, including advising the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Senior Management Team (SMT)

Ensure monthly FFR processes are well-coordinated with the local finance, R2R, P2P teams, and reports are submitted timely within the deadline.

Produce grant burn rate summaries and support department spending reports, sharing them with the SLT and SMT on a monthly basis.

Attend meetings organized by Operations and program teams to review project burn rate reports, variances, and financial performance. Highlight deviations from the plan, inconsistencies found in charging or coding, and advise on remedial action.

Prepare monthly project financial reports for the assigned grants and share them with the relevant donors and support offices.

Assist the finance lead with the annual National Office (NO) budget preparation, revision, coordination with various departments, and submission to Regional Office (RO) for approval.

Keep an updated project tracker, including allocation by sector, donor, zones, etc., ensuring the NO's financial position and performance are well-monitored and gaps in support cost recovery are bridged.

Ensure responsiveness through two-way regular information flow from finance to customers (email, face-to-face discussions).

Review the quarterly scorecards for the NO and devise appropriate measures to rectify errors.

Engage with the broader WV partnership on all regional finance issues and Global Centre (GC) initiatives (100% LDR compliance, BPS, Horizon grant profile update, budget upload, scorecard metric).

Provide quarterly variance explanations as requested by Regional Office and Global Center.

Attend G/N/G meetings and discuss the financial viability of projects, including risks evaluation, liquidity management, audit, and legal implications.

Foster a support function attitude by finding solutions and taking calculated risks.

Develop and maintain strong professional networks with the NOs' Grant Managers, SO IPGs, Global Grants Unit, and Regional Grant Acquisition Management (GAM)

Ensure compliance with various donor regulations in all grant transactions and processes. Keep the Finance Lead informed of all major compliance issues and challenges, while also taking necessary corrective steps

B. Contribute to strengthening internal control and risk management

Oversee the audit engagement and execution for the assigned grants.

Ensure audit findings related to finance are implemented within 90 days, and audit results are shared and followed up with the relevant department for timely implementation and improvement (all reports are uploaded in SharePoint).

Identify and correct loopholes and poor practices in the internal control system in a timely and effective manner.

Ensure appropriate segregation of duties in finance.

Assist the local finance team with aging analysis and timely account reconciliation and cleanup.

Assist the Finance Lead with the monthly review of the risk register and devise proper mitigation measures and controls to address identified risks.

Introduce measures and develop guidelines to minimize the risk associated with cash operations.

Participate in the review and evaluation of finance business processes and ensure critical and recurring processes are standardized and automated.

Establish a healthy working environment to empower staff to report fraudulent practices and safeguarding breaches.

Review grant guidelines and share them with relevant staff in operations and zones to ensure transparency and compliance.

Assist the Finance Lead with the annual approval limit (LoA) update and approval.

C. Contribute to the enhancement of fundraising efforts, stewardship, and accountability, as well as the improvement of financial management capacity within the NO

Assist the GAM team with resource planning and budget development for every new funding opportunity. Ensure that budget development for new projects is well-coordinated and key staff, including security, accountability, Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL), technical sector, and zonal managers, are consulted during budget preparation.

Ensure that assigned projects and grants have updated cash flow with proper coding.

Ensure that SunSystems budget data is accurate and updated promptly based on changes in the budget. It is strongly preferred to have updates as soon as a new budget or revision is approved to use Sun6 as a single data source.

Standardize and automate cost allocations (CAL, LDR, split billing, etc.). Allocate support costs directly to grants to the extent allowable and ensure maximum cost recovery from grants.

Communicate year-end and project closeout notifications, including the cut-off date for expenses, to staff and ensure understanding.

Follow up on PBAS commitments with Support Offices and ensure there is a pre-financing arrangement where payment terms are in arrears.

Conduct on-the-job training for the finance team and provide financial orientation to the operation and program teams.

Produce ad hoc analyses as requested by management.

Advise the Area Program team regarding timely tax payment and compliance with central bank directives.

Attend procurement committees as a member.

Assist the Finance Lead with talent management, assessment, and succession planning processes as part of annual potential career development and continuous professional growth for all finance members.

Ensure hands-on support to finance teams.

Engage with WVI-GC payroll department and allocate international payroll, including taxes, as well as direct charges to relevant cost centers, grants, and projects.

Liaise with SOs, oversee the PA/SA creation, and assist the local team with local grant invoicing, crediting SAs to the respective SOs, and allocations as per the signed PiAs.

D. People Management

Appropriate capacity building opportunities and need assessment are planned for staff.

Periodic performance review is conducted.

Leave utilization plan, staff absenteeism & turnover are managed.

Succession planning for key role is in place.

Staff have updated JDs and encouraged to undertake given responsibilities and tasks.

Appropriate goals and performance objectives are set for every staff”.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a finance position with World Vision (WV) or another medium-sized business/NGO/government agency.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in a finance management position.

Must have experience with major donor regulations from the US, UK, Canada Governments, GOG, EC/ECHO, and UN agencies.

Preferred experience with humanitarian aid in-country.

Practical knowledge of financial systems, internal financial controls and procedures, as well as staff management skills

Required Education & training, 

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, or a related field

MBA in Finance, MSC in Finance/Accounting/Auditing preferred

ACCA, CIMA or CPA preferred

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial systems, budget/cash flow monitoring, and internal accounting controls.

Strong knowledge of government grant regulations and financial reporting requirements.

Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and exercise independent judgment.

Proven ability to lead and manage a team effectively.

Proficient in computerized accounting systems, with strong computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs.

Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Excellent oral/written and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment with a multinational staff.

Willingness and ability to travel regionally and internationally

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

Flexibility to travel to Afghanistan on need basis and as security permits.

JOB PURPOSE

The position requires providing strategic financial input and support for all funding streams, implementing financial policies related to budgeting, cash management, forecasting, donor funding (especially from governments), recording and documentation, project auditing, monthly financial reporting, and local resource acquisition, while adhering to World Vision International (WV) financial policies. The Grants Finance Manager also advises the Finance Lead and the Senior Management & Senior Leadership Team (SMT& SLT) on risk management, internal control systems, and their impact on grant management and compliance.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITES

A. Provide strategic financial grants management support to Afghanistan, including advising the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Senior Management Team (SMT)

• Ensure monthly FFR processes are well-coordinated with the local finance, R2R, P2P teams, and reports are submitted timely within the deadline.

• Produce grant burn rate summaries and support department spending reports, sharing them with the SLT and SMT on a monthly basis.

• Attend meetings organized by Operations and program teams to review project burn rate reports, variances, and financial performance. Highlight deviations from the plan, inconsistencies found in charging or coding, and advise on remedial action.

• Prepare monthly project financial reports for the assigned grants and share them with the relevant donors and support offices.

• Assist the finance lead with the annual National Office (NO) budget preparation, revision, coordination with various departments, and submission to Regional Office (RO) for approval.

• Keep an updated project tracker, including allocation by sector, donor, zones, etc., ensuring the NO's financial position and performance are well-monitored and gaps in support cost recovery are bridged.

• Ensure responsiveness through two-way regular information flow from finance to customers (email, face-to-face discussions).

• Review the quarterly scorecards for the NO and devise appropriate measures to rectify errors.

• Engage with the broader WV partnership on all regional finance issues and Global Centre (GC) initiatives (100% LDR compliance, BPS, Horizon grant profile update, budget upload, scorecard metric).

• Provide quarterly variance explanations as requested by Regional Office and Global Center.

• Attend G/N/G meetings and discuss the financial viability of projects, including risks evaluation, liquidity management, audit, and legal implications.

• Foster a support function attitude by finding solutions and taking calculated risks.

• Develop and maintain strong professional networks with the NOs' Grant Managers, SO IPGs, Global Grants Unit, and Regional Grant Acquisition Management (GAM)

• Ensure compliance with various donor regulations in all grant transactions and processes. Keep the Finance Lead informed of all major compliance issues and challenges, while also taking necessary corrective steps

B. Contribute to strengthening internal control and risk management

• Oversee the audit engagement and execution for the assigned grants.

• Ensure audit findings related to finance are implemented within 90 days, and audit results are shared and followed up with the relevant department for timely implementation and improvement (all reports are uploaded in SharePoint).

• Identify and correct loopholes and poor practices in the internal control system in a timely and effective manner.

• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties in finance.

• Assist the local finance team with aging analysis and timely account reconciliation and cleanup.

• Assist the Finance Lead with the monthly review of the risk register and devise proper mitigation measures and controls to address identified risks.

• Introduce measures and develop guidelines to minimize the risk associated with cash operations.

• Participate in the review and evaluation of finance business processes and ensure critical and recurring processes are standardized and automated.

• Establish a healthy working environment to empower staff to report fraudulent practices and safeguarding breaches.

• Review grant guidelines and share them with relevant staff in operations and zones to ensure transparency and compliance.

• Assist the Finance Lead with the annual approval limit (LoA) update and approval.

C. Contribute to the enhancement of fundraising efforts, stewardship, and accountability, as well as the improvement of financial management capacity within the NO

• Assist the GAM team with resource planning and budget development for every new funding opportunity. Ensure that budget development for new projects is well-coordinated and key staff, including security, accountability, Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL), technical sector, and zonal managers, are consulted during budget preparation.

• Ensure that assigned projects and grants have updated cash flow with proper coding.

• Ensure that SunSystems budget data is accurate and updated promptly based on changes in the budget. It is strongly preferred to have updates as soon as a new budget or revision is approved to use Sun6 as a single data source.

• Standardize and automate cost allocations (CAL, LDR, split billing, etc.). Allocate support costs directly to grants to the extent allowable and ensure maximum cost recovery from grants.

• Communicate year-end and project closeout notifications, including the cut-off date for expenses, to staff and ensure understanding.

• Follow up on PBAS commitments with Support Offices and ensure there is a pre-financing arrangement where payment terms are in arrears.

• Conduct on-the-job training for the finance team and provide financial orientation to the operation and program teams.

• Produce ad hoc analyses as requested by management.

• Advise the Area Program team regarding timely tax payment and compliance with central bank directives.

• Attend procurement committees as a member.

• Assist the Finance Lead with talent management, assessment, and succession planning processes as part of annual potential career development and continuous professional growth for all finance members.

• Ensure hands-on support to finance teams.

• Engage with WVI-GC payroll department and allocate international payroll, including taxes, as well as direct charges to relevant cost centers, grants, and projects.

• Liaise with SOs, oversee the PA/SA creation, and assist the local team with local grant invoicing, crediting SAs to the respective SOs, and allocations as per the signed PiAs.

D. People Management

• Appropriate capacity building opportunities and need assessment are planned for staff.

• Periodic performance review is conducted.

• Leave utilization plan, staff absenteeism & turnover are managed.

• Succession planning for key role is in place.

• Staff have updated JDs and encouraged to undertake given responsibilities and tasks.

• Appropriate goals and performance objectives are set for every staff”.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a finance position with World Vision (WV) or another medium-sized business/NGO/government agency.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a finance management position.

• Must have experience with major donor regulations from the US, UK, Canada Governments, GOG, EC/ECHO, and UN agencies.

• Preferred experience with humanitarian aid in-country.

• Practical knowledge of financial systems, internal financial controls and procedures, as well as staff management skills

Required Education & training, 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, or a related field

• MBA in Finance, MSC in Finance/Accounting/Auditing preferred

• ACCA, CIMA or CPA preferred

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial systems, budget/cash flow monitoring, and internal accounting controls.

• Strong knowledge of government grant regulations and financial reporting requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and exercise independent judgment.

• Proven ability to lead and manage a team effectively.

• Proficient in computerized accounting systems, with strong computer literacy in Microsoft Office programs.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

• Excellent oral/written and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment with a multinational staff.

• Willingness and ability to travel regionally and internationally

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

• Flexibility to travel to Afghanistan on need basis and as security permits.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.

As a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Our organisational culture reflects a "Partnership" of World Vision offices in 100 countries and 33,000+ staff working towards one vision: life in its fullness for every child.

A career with World Vision is a God-given calling, and we believe that every staff member has been brought to World Vision for God’s purposes. Whether working from home, in an office, or with children and community members, we celebrate and embrace each staff member’s diverse background and talents – knowing that together, we can make a difference. Together, #WeAreWorldVision.

Each staff member brings their unique experience and God-given talents to the organisation – and in return World Vision provides employees a competitive "Total Rewards" package tailored to the context in which they work.

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