Position summary:
The Finance Manager, Africa, oversees the financial management and budgeting of RA’s activities in Africa. S/he works with global, regional and country leadership to monitor, analyze, forecast and report the financial performance of their department programs and projects. S/he develops and oversees the budgeting process for internal and external stakeholders. This position works closely with country leads, project managers and finance, administrative and/or accounting staff in the countries where RA operates. S/he delegates authority and builds regional capacity to carry out these functions.
Responsibilities:
Strategy and Performance Management
Ensure that the organization meets its revenue and expense targets;
Assure compliance with budget and contract requirements in accordance with Rainforest Alliance policies and procedures;
Produce monthly budget to actuals reports, forecasts and dashboards at the project, country and regional level;
Analyze and track financial indicators;
Ensure cost recoverability and track leverage requirements;
Track available funding to cover fixed costs;
Support integrated regional performance management, by operationalizing internal management processes, tools and metrics to continuously improve financial performance;
Provide ‘surge capacity’ to field teams to help them with the start-up or close-out of strategic initiatives or projects, as well as help them more effectively address and resolve critical issues and risks, with a focus on finance-related challenges;
Planning and Budgeting
Responsible for accurate and timely reporting and analysis of the department’s performance, based on board approved budgets, for both program management and HQ-Finance;
Manage the annual budgeting and financial planning process (including mid-year forecast) for the department in collaboration with Country Leads, Project Managers, Supervisors, and other department staff;
Coordinate with Human Resources the submission of job descriptions/position announcements and new hire requests in accordance with HR processes, and monitor these for conformance with approved budgets;
Coordinate proposal budget development with program, fundraising and HQ finance staff;
Ensure effective back-up systems and procedures in place for Finance coordination and maintenance of all key documents in an easily accessible location;
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitor all financial activities, and keep Management and HQ-Finance advised of situations which have potential negative impact on financial performance;
Monitor expenses and revenues to ensure that the region spends according to the available revenue and that restricted funds are used according to donor requirements;
Maintain and track project codes in accounting system and provide needed access to staff;
Ensure that implementation of funded activities is in conformity and on schedule with the provisions and requirements of the funding sources.
Produce and/or review financial reports submitted to funders; ensure that submitted reports and invoices are reviewed for accuracy and include proper support documentation;
Communication & Training
Proactively participate in, and/or convene, cross-functional communication spaces at the country, regional and/or global level, to promote excellence in financial management;
Serve as a key communication conduit to and from HQ-Finance, Management and other staff, ensuring the timely and accurate dissemination of information;
Explain the process and guidelines for financial monitoring, budget development and reporting to all internal stakeholders;
Ensure general compliance across country offices of finance processes, policies and procedures;
Coach local finance specialists, project managers and country leaders to improve their financial management and budget negotiation skills;
Interview, hire, train, assign work to and supervise junior finance staff as needed; and
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Accounting or Finance;
Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial analysis, reporting and budgeting; with minimum 2 years’ experience directly supervising staff;
Demonstrated work experience with both Excel and computerized accounting systems;
Strong math, analytical and technical skills; highly organized and customer service oriented;
Experience managing government grants with sub-recipient grant programs preferred;
Experience working in an international non-government organization preferred;
Excellent organizational skills with emphasis on project and financial management;
Outstanding communication skills;
Ability to operate with considerable independence and as a member of a team, show good judgment, and take initiative; and
Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% of the time, nationally and internationally.
