Feed the Children
Overview
Feed The Children Inc. is a renowned non-profit organization committed to creating a world where no child goes to bed hungry. With a presence in 9 countries and headquartered in the U.S., our mission is to provide nourishing meals to children in need and extend comprehensive support to communities to empower them toward self-reliance. By working closely with schools, parents, and local governments, we strive to create a lasting impact by enhancing education, promoting child rights, and improving overall community well-being. Through an integrated approach involving collaboration across various sectors, Feed The Children brings together dedicated professionals passionate about making a meaningful difference. Join our team and be a part of this inspiring journey to foster positive change and enrich the lives of children and families worldwide.
About the job
The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) will provide financial and administrative oversight for all aspects of the Akule Ndi Thanzi Project in accordance with FEED and USAID rules, regulations, and procedures. He or she will be responsible for budget forecasting, expenditure tracking, financial analysis, and reporting, as well as grant and contract management for the USAID-funded award. The DFO will oversee the Country Office finance and operations team (including but not limited to the Agreement Manager (Contracts & Grants), Finance Manager, Administration and Logistics Officer) and will report to the Chief of Party. This is a senior leadership role and will serve as a key member of the project leadership team. The following specific duties shall be carried out by the successful candidate.
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Responsibilities
Financial Management
- Provide leadership to finance and operations aspects of the project and the Country Office, including general administrative processes, financial management, sub-award management, grants programs, accounting, and logistics.
- Oversee the project budget; provides oversight of financial management, monitoring, procurement, and reporting for all project tasks, and must be familiar with and able to perform job duties of lower-level positions within this job function.
- Prepare and submit annual and quarterly financial and accrual reports to the donor.
- Analyse and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial reports; collate financial reporting materials for all funder segments, and oversee all financial, operations and grants functions.
- Manages internal and external financial audits of the program.
- Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the department leads; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep senior management team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
- Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the Senior Management Team, Funders, and other external stakeholders.
- Work with the senior management to develop and implement strong systems of internal controls and ensure general management of risk and control environment.
- Prepare financial information for Cash Management purposes, including Drawdown breakdown.
- Monitor and review operational budgets to support financial stability, ongoing program viability, efficient cost structures, and appropriate spending.
Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all FEED and USAID financial regulations, preparing and delivering all USAID required audit reports and ensuring that audit findings and recommendations are properly addressed.
- Liaise with internal and external auditors on audit-related issues.
- Facilitate auditors in performing on-site visits.
- Assist in providing management responses to audit reports and timely implement the audit recommendations.
- Provide technical assistance to local partners on financial compliance and reporting.
- Implement and manage a robust contracts management and financial management/ reporting system; ensure that the FEED policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations are adhered to, and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements.
Operations
- Execute the project’s operational plan and is responsible for the performance and goal achievement of the project’s finance, budget, administrative and procurement matters.
- Overall responsibility of FEED International Goods in Kind system, including stock management and control
- Responsible for Fleet management
- Work closely and transparently with all external partners, including third-party vendors and consultants.
- Supervise the finance and administration team (including but not limited to the Finance Manager, Senior Finance Officer, Administrative and Procurement Officer, Contracts and Grants Manager, and Logistics Officer) and ensure their compliant and efficient support of the project’s activities.
- Manage project procurement processes.
- Ensures continual review of internal and strategic controls, communications, risk assessments, and maintenance of documentation.
- Supports partners as needed to ensure sound financial management and operations.
- Ensures that sub-contracts, sub-grants, and local consultancy documents and procedures are completed in a timely and correct manner and comply with FEED and funder policies and regulations; and
- Provides overall administration coordination and support to ensure an effective and efficient operating platform for the project.
- Serve as a member of the senior management team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Accounting; Business Administration or related field
- 10+ years of proven experience in finance and operations
- Professional accounting certification, including ACCA, ICAM, CIMA
- Working knowledge of finance and regulatory standards (GAAP)
- 5+ years’ experience as a senior-level Accounting or Finance Director
- Demonstrable skills in the development of finance and accounting policies, procedures, and systems in the context of an international NGO.
Competencies Required
- Strong working knowledge of detailed financial data analysis.
- Demonstrated experience with management and or administration for USAID projects, including experience managing cooperative agreements and sub-awards.
- Working knowledge of USG regulations and reporting.
- Exemplary history of financial and operations project management.
- Proficiency with computer applications that include accounting systems.
- Excellent communication skills in presentations, both verbal and written.
- Good interpersonal skills (tact, diplomacy, discretion, and impartiality) are essential for this position,
- High level of good organizational and administrative skills with an ability to work well under pressure.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills
- Demonstrated capacity and prior experience in supervising others as a coach/mentor to train staff and develop the financial skills of colleagues.
- Ability to travel regularly to program locations.