Head of Finance and Operations (INT10523)

Employment Term:              Fixed Term (1 Year Contract with Possible Extension)

Level:                                    National/International, B2

Location:                              Yangon, Myanmar

Closing Date:                      30 July 2024

Early application is encouraged as the recruitment process will be done on a rolling basis and Oxfam reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate as soon as they are identified.

The Role:

Oxfam is looking for Head of Finance and Operations.

Job Purpose:

Primarily responsible for the delivery of financial management and operations through strategic oversight, planning and coordination. This position will be responsible for leading, coordinating, building capacity and coaching of the finance & operations team including consortium to ensure all financial management functions are effectively and efficiently delivered and providing financial management supports to the Oxfam GB programme and field teams with active involvement in accounting, reporting and donor management processes. This position will also lead on business support functions within Oxfam in Myanmar and efficiently and effectively support the country programme.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Contribute to strategic leadership of Oxfam in Myanmar as part of the Country Leadership Team
• Lead on Oxfam in Myanmar’s engagement with key external stakeholders.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to all business support functions, including Finance; Administration, Logistics; Information Technology (IT).  
• Leadership of business planning and reporting cycle and improvements, including planning, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis for the country.
• Ensure that Oxfam financial procedures are followed in emergency and non-emergency programmes, and systems are developed to accommodate the needs of those programmes.
• To report regularly on the financial status of the programme.
• To exercise all internal controls for effective running of the programme.
• To lead the country programme team on financial and project administration policy and procedures; and ensure that authorisation limits and procurement levels are in place.
• To provide necessary analysis and highlight financial status to line manager and Myanmar leadership team as required and instructed by line manager.
• Serve on the Myanmar Leadership Team and participate in discussion concerning projects and financial decisions.
• Function as Acting Country Director in the absence of CD. 

Management

• Ensure overall financial planning, reporting and compliance as per Oxfam policy and standards.
• Make sure Oxfam policies are followed and rigorous checks are in place regarding suppliers and procurements.
• Draw up budgets for all projects and activities, manage spending within budgets, and provide justifications for variances to all affiliates providing funding to Oxfam in Myanmar.
• Identify and monitor risks to programme and business operations and take appropriate courses of action.
• Responsible for overseeing overall donor reporting for all restricted projects.
• Responsible for completing internal reporting and compliance and work closely with EA Node/OGB and other partner affiliates.
• Specific duties will include oversight and supervision of; preparation of budgets; authorisation of payments; maintenance of cash and bank books; preparation of monthly accounting returns; quarterly financial report; yearend report; budget pack production preparation of timely management information; security of cash, stock and capital assets; purchasing and stock systems; monitoring budgets; reporting to donors.
• To assist in the development and appraisal of new projects including the proposal and budget of the partner agencies.
• To introduce Finance Management skills in Programme Administration.
• To ensure managers have up to date financial information, that budget accuracy are verified and ensure that all financial reporting requirements are being adhered to and met in an efficient and effective manner
• Business partnering with high level analysis and advice to Country Leadership Team on the operations area.
• Ensure Oxfam’s assets including offices, vehicles and capital assets are secure, well maintained and recorded as per standard policy.
• Management of the Operations unit including coaching and developing staff.
• Actively implement Oxfam’s diversity policy in the recruitment and employment of staff.
• Contributes to collective management at top level with collaborative and matrix ways of working, specifically with field offices.
• Support and share key learning through different methods and help to create an environment for innovation.
• Ensure best practices are in place, maintained and updated as needed to meet compliance standards across all the affiliates providing funding to Oxfam in Myanmar and their relevant back donors. 
• Actively practices and support mentoring, succession planning and management development within scope of responsibility and region.
• Contribute to emergency responses within the overall regional emergency response plan.
• Ensure staff follow security procedures and work with the security focal point to develop guidelines in the event of serious security risk.
• Support and share key learning through different methods and help to create an environment for innovation.
• To carry out trainings and briefing of all staff in agreed procedures including back donor policy and procedures, conduct practical exercises in accounts preparation. This will involve travelling to Oxfam’s project locations and partner projects location.
• To work with logistics staff to ensure logistics systems adhere to Finance’s minimum standards.
• Manage the performance of line management staff in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they are well supported, led and evaluated against agreed objectives while building their capacity to become independent in their roles and responsibilities.
• To perform monitoring visits to both Oxfam field offices and partner field offices.
• To accommodate internal and external audit visits.
• To support and guide country management team in financial matters.
• To coordinate with funding team in donor contract management.
• Lead on legal and administration of the country.
• Review Cash requests from the projects and submit monthly top up to Head Office on time.
• Review the reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis and ensure timely completion.
• Ensure closure of contracts, projects and PIPs properly to improve Country KPI. 

People Management

• Line-manage five to seven colleagues in accordance with Oxfam’s HR policies, demonstrating high standards of accountability and transparency.
• Lead on over all workforce planning in close coordination with HR.
• Lead on recruitment of Line managed staff including orientation.
• Manage the performance of line-managed staff through objective setting, regular performance review, managing feedbacks and regular monitor performance development plans.
• Support the continual professional development of all line managed staff, ensuring that appropriate support and development mechanisms are in place.
• Create and maintain a safe working environment and ensuing policies, systems, and individual and teamwork practices constantly reflect Oxfam’s values, way of working and ethics.
• Lead regular internal coordination and sharing meetings and ensure that teams work together and support each other. 

Other

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights (click here).
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

What we are looking for:

Essential

• Relevant Master’s degree.
• At least 7 years’ experiences in senior finance and operational management and support, preferable in INGO field.
• Proven high level of financial management skills and people management skills.
• Proven senior management experience.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to deliver complex and technical messages in simple terms.
• High level of both written and spoken English / Myanmar language skill. 

Desirable

• Experience of working in Myanmar and in-depth understanding on the local context.
• Experience of strategic design, planning and implementation.
• Ability to influence senior managers and peers over a wide range of issues.
• Experience of working in highly complex environment
• Behavioural role model for peers and fellow team members.

We offer:

Oxfam aims to recruit and retain diverse, passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to meet our vision. We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits.

Find out more about our pay & benefits, please click here

Flexfam:

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. 

How to apply:

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.