Reporting: Directly to Director, FSD Africa. In charge of Direct reports from Financial Management team
FSD Africa’s work focuses on five main areas organised in organisational Pillars:
Financial Institutions: Direct interventions with financial institutions in the banking, insurance and fintech sectors to support implementation of strategies that enables reaching target beneficiaries at scale, especially through technology-led innovation;
Financial Markets: Interventions designed to spur poverty reduction through economic growth and job creation by increasing the availability of long-term finance for investment through capital markets development;
Financial Systems: Interventions in priority sectors, designed to increase access to finance to empower and reduce the vulnerability of the poor;
Development Capital: Investment of concessional capital (equity, loans etc.) into financial companies, funds or other structures (e.g. guarantee schemes) where the investment is expected to contribute meaningfully to financial market development;
Fragile states: Interventions targeting a group of fragile states (Sierra Leone, DRC and Zimbabwe) and refugees to push the boundaries of the market development into more difficult environments.
Job Purpose: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will have overall responsibility for managing and reporting FSDA’s finances, including Development Capital (DevCap) investments made through its subsidiary, FSDA(I).
The CFO will develop financial and tax strategies, managing capital requests and budgeting processes, while using financial performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction.
The CFO will oversee all financial matters related to audit and statutory returns, including tax and reporting of financial results to DFID and the Board of Directors.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance & Accounting functions of the organisation
Oversee the financial operations of subsidiary companies and foreign operations
Manage the capital request and budgeting processes
Monitor and direct the implementation of strategic business plans
Maintain banking and deposit relationships and manage any third parties to which accounting, or finance functions have been outsourced
Assist in formulating the company’s future direction and supporting tactical initiatives
Develop financial and tax strategies, together with performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction
Oversee the company’s transaction processing systems, monitoring cash balances, developing cash projection processes, and providing timely financial information and reports
Review and approval of all statutory financial returns made to appropriate Government agencies to ensure compliance
Assist the DevCap team with the investment and management of funds
Develop credibility of the finance team by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports and financial trends in order to assist the Director FSDA, the Board and other senior executives in performing their responsibilities, and ensuring that all tax, audit and compliance aspects are addressed in timely manner
Provide leadership in continuous evaluation and achievement of short and long-term strategic financial objectives
Establish and maintain strong relationships with the senior management team to identify needs in advance and provide comprehensive reporting and business support
Provide executive management with advice on the financial implications of all pillar activities
Manage processes for forecasting, budgets, consolidation and reporting of Group financial activities
Provide recommendations to enhance financial performance and business opportunities
Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with IFRS and all applicable laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
Provide advice from a financial perspective on service contracts and grant agreements
Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the FSDA Board and Director.
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications and Education
Professional qualification and relevant accreditations (e.g. CPA, MBA, Bachelor’s degree in finance)
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
A master’s degree in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience within an investment environment across multiple countries, institutions and programmatic areas.
Experience in partnering with an executive team, and a high level of written and oral communication skills. Preference will be given to candidates with an MBA in Finance and CPA or CMA designations.
Significant experience and expertise in investment management (e.g. from the private equity industry) and/or investment or development banking, good commercial judgment and a willingness to play a central role in making the strategic objectives of DevCap become a reality.
A successful track record as a senior financial management accountant prior to becoming a CFO with at least five years’ experience in Africa will be preferred
Experience of the impact investing industry and familiarity with current thinking around the measurement of non-financial investment performance (i.e. impact)
Experience of financial reporting of investments, including developing and applying protocols for impairment and provision calculations under IFRS9 Knowledge of donor reporting processes (ideally DFID)
Excellent skills in written and spoken English
Financial sector knowledge/experience
Experience of financial risk management and an understanding of the growing financial risks that a significant increase in FSDA’s Development Capital operation would entail
Knowledge of institutional management of investment strategies across various types of asset classes, trading approaches and techniques, and of factors affecting price trends
Knowledge of applicable regulatory frameworks and bodies, as well as policies and guidelines affecting business practices
Knowledge of and the ability to use methods, processes and tools for creating and maintaining accurate and thorough investment reports
Able to build relationships and gain commitment from others
Able to focus on and deliver on multiple projects at any one time
Reliable with an ability to take responsibility and exercise it well
A flexible and “hands on” approach, prerequisite for a senior member of a small team
Strong communication skills; the ability to present ideas and financial processes with conviction
An ability to think independently and form individual opinions on investments and grants
Qualities, Behaviours and Attributes
A strong work ethic with a high standard of attention to detail and quality; comfortable with working in a demanding and highly intellectually environment
An active and demonstrable interest in economic development and developing countries
Responsive to new ideas and innovations, adaptable to system and process improvements, open to change and able to adapt established methods for new uses
Acts professionally and upholds the good reputation of the organisation, abides by FSDA Code of Conduct
Communicates clearly, expresses ideas in simple terms, listens to the views of others and changes tone and style to match the needs of people listening
Self-motivated and keen to take initiative, seeking clarification when necessary and taking responsibility for own actions
Impact-oriented with a focus on completing projects and delivering results
Rigorous with respect for good governance and procedures, intolerant of poor quality
Demonstrates integrity, is fair, honest and trustworthy with respect for confidentiality
Leadership Qualities, Behaviours and Attributes
Creates a strong vision for the team; inspires others to greater performance, professional standards and results
Develops others and creates understanding through role clarity and supportive leadership
A team player who is supportive of other’s ideas and innovations, collaborates in a culture of knowledge sharing and team learning to strengthen the organisation’s work
Presents new challenges and opportunities to the team to enable them to demonstrate and achieve their full potential; encourages and inspires team learning
Encourages a high-performing culture in the team
Key Relationships
Internal Relationships
FSDA Board of Directors, including Finance Audit & Risk Committee
Management team
Staff
Peer departments
External Relationships
UK’s Department for International Development (DFID)
FSD Network
Peers in Professional services
Delivery Contractors and Partners
Financial Responsibilities
Direct Control
Overall responsibility across the Investment Pillar (£35m through FY2018/19, expected to grow substantially thereafter).
Desirable
Exposure to multiple functions and products in investment banking
First-hand experience of working in/with a market building programme
Familiarity with major African players in the field of impact investing
Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Languages: French, local African languages
