Description
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.
The Organization
Since 1944, Heifer International has supported more than 36 million Smallholder Farmer (SHF) families globally to lift themselves out of hunger and poverty while caring for the earth—in partnership with the communities we serve, including youth and women. Heifer International is now accelerating its strategic approaches to closing the Sustainable Living Income (SLI) gap for 10 million additional SHF households globally by 2030 using the Sustainable Locally Led Development (SLLD) approach.
The Project
Heifer International is providing technical assistance to the IFAD-supported Livelihoods and Livestock Development Project (LLDP). The project aims to strengthen capacity at both national and district levels, driving systemic change in livestock and livelihoods development.
Function
The Finance Manager SL LLDP plays a significant role in strengthening the project systems by ensuring proper accounting and reporting of resources in project implementation by maintaining systems of accountability, processing of accounting information, internal and external financial reporting, cash and bank account maintenance, and other financial tasks as assigned in liaison with relevant Heifer departments. This role contributes to scaling up the project impact by preparing financial reports and monitoring budget burn rates for effective implementation and will also assist in the budgeting process. The role works directly and in consultation with the Project office and interacts with similar positions in other teams to promote consistency throughout the project.
The Finance Manager will manage and oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the project finance/purchasing team and ensure project processes are robust, timely, accurate, and in line with Heifer International policy.
The role is also the single point of control for ensuring financial reporting and purchasing is compliant and will ensure the relevant team members are up to speed with project procurement policies, while ensuring management of orders is in line with the budget.
Beyond the core role, the position will also require collaboration with Project Finance on wider group systems and processes to ensure a high standard of delivery.
The key focus of this role is continued adherence to financial (both regulatory and budget) and purchasing/procurement compliance, a high level of financial accuracy of the Project’s books, and continued development of financial systems to minimize risk and ensure strong management reporting, thereby continually promoting and ensuring best practice.
Responsibilities & Deliverables
A. Financial Management and Technical Oversight (45%)
- Provide financial management and strengthen core global systems in the SL LLDP to ensure compliance with Heifer International, donor, and government policies and requirements.
- Provide ongoing finance support to SL LLDP.
- Perform quality control reviews of SL LLDP financial reports, including producing the financial and statistical indicators, and follow up with Headquarters and Country Finance Managers to ensure all issues raised are addressed.
- Monitor and ensure all SL LLDP financial operations are carried out according to Heifer International policies/procedures, accepted international accounting standards (GAAP, IFRS), and within local laws.
- Support and review budget performance by each country in the SL LLDP, ensuring that Monthly Project Management Reports are issued and reviewed.
- Support the implementation of internal control policies and procedures and perform periodic compliance checks.
- Conduct ad-hoc review of business processes to ensure effective and efficient flow of financial and business data into the SL LLDP Accounting System, in compliance with Project-Based Funding principles.
- Perform reviews of the accounting system and maintenance to ensure accurate revaluation, reporting, and compliance.
- Review and verify invoices and payment vouchers to ensure completeness, correct coding, and reasonableness, including statutory payments.
- Perform analytical reviews of general ledger accounts and reconcile balance sheet accounts, including staff advance reconciliations, monthly.
- Develop and maintain a proper accounting system and processes daily.
- Maintain an efficient filing and retrieval system for financial and account records to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
B. Report Preparation and Presentation (20%)
- Ensure proper and accurate accounting and reporting of all funds in the SL LLDP in accordance with grant/donor requirements, including all allowable expenses charged correctly.
- Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and statements as required by management.
- Collect and facilitate review of special reports for internal control when required.
- Ensure the maintenance of an accurate and up-to-date fixed asset register.
- Produce the SL LLDP Quarterly Review deck with high-quality commentary ensuring clarity and relevance.
- Support SL LLDP in managing grants, including grant budget preparation, implementation, monitoring, and review.
- Facilitate implementation of Project-Based Funding business processes.
- Support development and implementation of healthy credit portfolio management practices.
- Provide financial and operational support to the countries in SL LLDP as necessary.
C. Financial Control and Risk Management (20%)
- Efficiently and effectively manage all financial functions of SL LLDP and develop risk management plans.
- Implement and monitor internal controls and financial policies and procedures.
- Ensure all statutory requirements are met and applicable taxes/remittances are submitted as required.
- Organize donor records and maintain internal controls.
- Support the SL LLDP team in developing annual plans and budgets.
- Review budgets for consistency within planned business activity, project codes, and fund accounting practices.
- Highlight significant variances and cash management issues.
- Coordinate completion of the SL LLDP forecast.
D. Supervision and Monitoring Audit (10%)
- Monitor daily cash positions.
- Oversee petty cash reconciliations.
- Coordinate planning, preparation, and completion of SL LLDP audits in line with Heifer International external audit policy.
- Review reconciliation and consolidation of audit reports in support of annual external audit requirements.
- Review internal audit reports and support in resolving identified issues.
- Ensure preparation of audit schedules, materials, and other documentation for annual or internal audits, reviews, and evaluations.
E. Other Duties (5%)
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- A minimum of 7 years’ experience in international accounting or financial management.
- 2 years’ auditing experience preferred.
- 3 years’ experience in grant management.
- CIMA finalist or ACCA; NGO experience and significant experience managing grants and donor financial reporting.
- Experience in financial management at a senior position level.
- Experience in large grant management and reporting through bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., USAID, EU, DFID, CIDA).
- Professional Membership or Registration: CFA, CIMA, or ACCA.
Key Behavioural Competencies
- Accountability
- Professional Excellence
- Humility
- Customer Orientation
- Empathy
- Innovation
