Finance and Support Services Director

With 75 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 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

International Assignment (WVI – Paid via GCLA) Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

The Finance and Support Services Director provides overall leadership, oversight, and management support for all aspects of financial management in the Field Office (FO).

This position is a strategic partner and a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the WV Mauratania, with a focus on ensuring accountability, stewardship, coordinating planning and budgeting processes, providing accurate financial data, analysis, and advice; as well as developing a financial strategy that best serves the FO strategic and programme objectives.

The incumbent will be responsible for the finance staff capacity strengthening, the development and implementation of good internal controls, risk management, and utilization and safeguarding of assets according to WV-approved policies and procedures. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

(a) Leadership, Capacity Development, and Strategic Partnering

• Provide strong and positive leadership to the finance department, ensuring competent and motivated staff are hired and retained, providing efficient delivery of services.
• Coordinate professional and personal development of finance, ICT, fleet and administration staff through adequate orientation, on-the-job coaching, identification of learning and training needs and opportunities (e.g. in accounting, SunSystem, grant management, risk management, leadership, etc.); and succession planning.
• Model Christ-centered servant leadership and support spiritual development of his/her team.
• Actively contribute to and participate in the FO Senior Leadership team meetings.
• Attend and actively participate in strategic regional meetings.
• Facilitate National Director (ND), Operations, and other non-finance staff in understanding and interpretation of financial statements.
• Ensure partnership finance policies and procedures are understood by Senior Management, Operations/Technical staff, Communities and Local Partners, as appropriate.
• Strong collaboration and proactive communication between the Field Office (FO) and the Regional Office (RO).
• Develop strong networks internally (other FOs, SOs and partnership entities) and externally (other INGOs, banking entities, corporates and communities, etc.) through effective communication, relationships and twin citizenship.
• Promote shared resource networks within the region and the partnership.
• Adhere to WVI key policy documents – mission, core values, and covenant of partnership.

(b) Stewardship

• Ensure adequate cost efficiency and effectiveness measures are in place and are being followed through:
• Providing cost analysis, promoting benchmarks and making recommendations for determining effective resource utilization at all levels.
• Contributing to the development of appropriate policies and procedures for procurement of goods and services, in collaboration with the Supply Chain team.

(c) Financial Planning and Budgeting

• In collaboration with the Regional Finance Director, advise the ND on strategic resource acquisition and allocation in line with Partnership Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC) guidelines.
• Coordinate the planning and budgeting process and provide technical support to ensure global and regional guidelines are met, as well as to chart and execute a strategy in the midst of changing constraints and circumstances.
• Review alignment of budgets between Field Office, projects, grants, MyPBAS, and Support Offices and ensure effective and efficient cost recovery practices are followed.
• Control of WV Mauritania budget, cash flow and project funding, by providing timely and relevant information to budget managers, in collaboration with the Integrated Programs Director(IPD).
• Strict budget monitoring, tracking and ensuring finances  at ADP, Cluster and FO are used for their intended purpose, including field expense monitoring at these levels
• Contribute to the development of WV Mauritania strategic direction and priorities.

(d) Fiscal Accounting, Compliance, Monitoring, and Reporting

• Design and manage systems, policies and procedures that provide appropriate levels of security and control of WV assets, resources and operations.
• Coordinate the submission of timely, accurate and complete relevant reporting to the Partnership and to internal users.
• Define and implement efficient and effective internal control systems.
• Adhere to partnership policies, procedures and guidelines as stipulated in the WVI Financial Manual and other documents, including – but not limited to grant compliance, planning & budgeting, year-end closing, carryforward, accounting and reporting.
• Coordinate the timely and accurate submission of financial reports in the Field Financial Reporting database on SharePoint.
• Review the reconciliation of MyPBAS to FFR monthly with an action plan for addressing outstanding items.
• Provide monthly analysis of ADP/Grant financial reports and timely feedback to ADP/Grant managers for decision-making
• Ensure FO Finance, ICT, fleet and administration staff visit Programs/Projects to monitor accountability issues, follow up on implementation of audit findings and provide support as needed.

(e) Financial Risk Management and Controls

• Manage appropriate financial systems and controls and ensure they are in place to avoid significant finance audit risk ratings, both at the FO and project levels.
• Coordinate management responses to finance audits performed on the FO and projects; ensure they are sent on time to the Audit Department; and that finance-related audit recommendations are implemented in a timely manner at all levels.
• Coordinate adequate preparation for GC and external audits.
• Manage Financial Risk and integrity. Implement anti-corruption and fraud strategies.

(f) Support to Supply Chain Processes

• Coordinate and ensure an optimal interface between the supply chain and the Finance Team.
• Review Purchase Requests and Purchase Orders to ensure they are in compliance with SCM policies, Budget availability, and that there are no fraudulent activities.
• Review procurements to ensure they are for purchases that contribute to ministry objectives and to budget line items of donors.

(g) Improve ICT Infrastructure and Provide Quality Service

• Ensure improved office/programs connectivity. Facilitate and ensure preparation of and adherence to computer usage policies
• ICT Security and Integrity - Ensure office disaster preparedness and policies are updated to include new technologies, trends, and threats.

(h) Administration and Fleet Management

• Ensure that WV staff and assets are secure, safe, and well-maintained; oversee logistics coordination
• Ensure that WV provides quality hospitality services to staff and visitors
• Fleet Management - Responsible for the implementation of fleet management policies, including tracking of vehicles, fuel management, and vehicle and motorcycle maintenance.
• Manage all asset disposals in compliance with both WVI and WV Mauritania policies.

(i) Talent Management and Capacity Building

• Contribute to capacity assessment, development and implementation, as part of the overall Talent Management plan, to ensure an integrated WV Mauritania capacity building plan informed by finance priorities and strategy.
• Identify the development needs of the  finance staff, including Grant financial management capacity building, and enroll staff in relevant training programs and grow diverse leadership
• With the P & C Team leader, co-lead recruitment of FO Finance Staff in the office.
• Advise and support in the induction of new functional directors, grants managers, or project team leaders.
• Coach, advise, and mentor Finance staff in identifying their strength, gaps, and addressing them.

Required Professional Experience, Education and Training for the Role

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Economics or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a finance position with a medium business/medium NGO/government agency
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a senior finance management position
• Experience with financial planning and forecasting
• Solid knowledge of accounting principles, financial systems, budget/cash flow monitoring, and internal accounting controls.
• Highly flexible and agile in style, with the ability to produce creative and pragmatic solutions to complex problems.
• Good working knowledge of computerized accounting systems, preferably Sun Systems & ProVision. 
• Demonstrates systems thinking and is a high champion and Manages Innovation.
• Able to work in a cross-cultural environment with a multi-national staff.
• Ability to travel within the country, regionally, and internationally.
• French is non-negotiable (both written and spoken)
• Proficiency in written and spoken English  
• Excellent oral/written and interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent preferred
• MBA in Finance, Master's in Business Leadership or Administration(MBL), MSC in Finance/Accounting/Auditing
• Knowledge of Major donor grant regulations such as Global Fund, EU, US Government, UN, etc., and financial reporting requirements
• Knowledge of private sector contract requirements and procedures applicable to World Vision assistance programming
• Knowledge of Sunsystem Accounting package
• Experience with secure online banking services and products in a country office with multiple sub-offices
• Innovative and visionary in support service delivery within WVI’s compliance requirements

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted