Location

Kabul, Afghanistan

Management responsibility

Finance team with direct line management of Finance and Compliance Manager

Reporting to

Country Director, Afghanistan

Key relationship

Sr. Operations Manager, Head of Program, HR Manager in Afghanistan and Director Finance and Administration, Director International Program, and HR in the HQ in Toronto

Background

War Child Canada works with war-affected communities to help children reclaim their childhood through access to education, opportunity and justice. War Child Canada has over 15 years of experience working in communities in conflict and post-conflict zones. All work is implemented in direct partnership with local communities, local civil society organizations and other stakeholders using a child-centered approach to development. War Child Canada currently works in Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and the Middle East, and is registered Canadian charity based in Toronto

Context

War Child Canada’s flagship Afghanistan programming advances the social and legal protection of highly vulnerable and at risk women and children, focusing on education, child protection, livelihoods and access to legal justice. Since 2017, the program has gone through exciting expansion with secured long-term funding for programming in 10 provinces being implemented through partner organizations.

Position summary

The Head of Finance has overall responsibility of providing leadership on financial planning, developing systems and control procedures, financial management, team building and ensuring compliance with financial control policies and procedures

Responsibilities

Developing systems and control procedures (30%)

· Review of current systems and lead on development of robust financial controls (policies, manual, guidelines, bank reconciliations, cash management etc) that is in line country laws and international acceptable standards

· Rollout financial control procedure and orient staff

· Support HR and Logistics team to ensure that all policies and procedures are in compliance with financial control systems

Efficient and transparent management of finances (30%)

· Ensure accurate data entry into ledger accounting system, lead improvement and system enhancement work, ensuring good housekeeping

· Lead on country budgeting; monitor spending and support program team with preparation of accurate and realistic donor budget

· Lead on the financial reporting to the HQ and donors. Focus on continuous improvement and ensure that reports are of high quality.

· Effectively organize and manage internal and external audits

· Lead on to prepare management responses to audits observations and due diligence (if any)

Ensure Finance team prepare and circulate monthly and quarterly management accounts to program team and ensure that any under-spending is brought to the attention of the senior management team and HQ staff

· Produce statutory (legal) accounts and other legal returns as needed for Afghanistan

· Ensure full compliance to applicable taxes and country labor and financial laws

· Ensuring finance team manages payroll system in effective and efficient way

· Provide support to Logistics and HR ensuring that their actions are not violating financial systems and procedures

Capacity building and team management (15%)

· Supervision of finance team and capacity assessment of each staff member; development of capacity planning through capacity need assessment; and by preparing capacity building plan through coaching, mentoring and tailor made trainings

· Ensure roles are responsibilities are clearly understood by each team member

· Conduct timely performance appraisal for staff

· Ensure that non-finance program managers have full understanding of financial policies and procedures

Financial monitoring & Partners Management (15%)

· Contract administration to ensure compliance with reporting deliverables and requirements.

· Monitor partners financial management as far as it relates to War Child-funded projects, ensuring compliance with War Child and donor rules and regulations

· Build knowledge and understanding, promoting improvements to financial management and reporting

· Ensure Finance team conducts financial monitoring and support visits to local implementing partners at least on quarterly basis

· Conduct at least twice a year monitoring/audit of the partners

Support to Senior Management Team (10%)

· Actively contribute to the senior management team (SMT); by providing timely and accurate information analysis on the financial health of the organization

· Assist the Country Director and SMT with country strategic planning, annual planning, programmatic and geographical expansion

· Assist SMT with a system assessment and selection of local partners

· Deputize for Country Director, when needed

Qualifications

Academic Background and Knowledge

· Master’s in Finance or in business administration with specialization in finance or accounting.

· Recognized professional accountancy designation

· At least 5 years of senior management experience including developing and implementing financial policies and control procedures with preference in the non-profit sector

· Demonstrable knowledge and experience of successful financial management with preference in conflict or post-conflict zones

· Knowledge of Afghan taxation, labor laws, and financial reporting requirement for NGOs

· Demonstrable experience of building capacity of national staff

· Knowledge of at least one of War Child Canada’s programming focus in Afghanistan

· Previous experience in Afghanistan strongly desirable

Skills

· Fluency in written and verbal English. Dari or Pashtu is desirable

· Excellent leadership skills in building strong and competent team

· Detail oriented, strong organizational and analytical skills

· Ability to manage stress and willing to work under strict deadlines

· Excellent skills of operating Microsoft word and excel spread sheet,

· A positive problem-solving approach

· Good interpersonal and team-working skills

· Culture sensitive and respect for local norms

Salary and benefits

A highly competitive salary and benefits package will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits include travel to and from duty sites, regular rest and relaxation, generous vacation, accommodation, comprehensive insurance and an Expatriate Employee Assistance Program as per War Child Canada contractual standards.