Finance and Support Services Officer

Sightsavers implements projects in over 30 countries in Africa and South Asia working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Title: Finance and Support Services Officer

Location: Benin

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Salary: Local Terms and Conditions apply

Principle Accountabilities

• Support financial control and manage risk.
• Ensure conformity to the organisational Financial Framework.
• Implement Financial Management & Controls.
• Oversee Financial Planning and Budgeting.
• Conduct Financial Monitoring & Audits.
• Maintain and monitor financial records.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and governance requirements.
• Manage logistics, supplies, and purchases according to procurement policy and procedures.
• Ensure IT equipment and connectivity for office functionaries in line with ICT policies.
• Support, administer, and strengthen financial management, accountability, and capacities of partners.
• Facilitate collaboration between finance and programme teams for joint review of project/programme reports, planning, and analysis.
• Develop and provide grant management support for both restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Support proper financial monitoring of projects, including auditing of funds provided.
• Implement HR policies and procedures, such as payroll and training.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

About you

The Finance and Support Services Manager will be a highly skilled professional with a strong background in financial management, risk control, and compliance. They will ensure adherence to the organisational Financial Framework, including implementing financial management and controls, planning and budgeting, monitoring and audits, and maintaining financial records. The manager will also ensure compliance with local regulations and governance requirements.

The ideal candidate will support and strengthen financial management, accountability, and capacities of partners, fostering collaboration between finance and programme teams for joint project/programme reviews, planning, and analysis. They will develop and provide grant management support for both restricted and unrestricted funding, and ensure proper financial monitoring of projects, including auditing of funds.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant professional accounting qualification or a bachelor’s degree in finance/accounting or relevant volunteering or work experience.
• Demonstratable working experience, ideally in an INGO environment, but experience in audit and government organisations would also be advantageous.
• Experience in financial management, programme and project management, and administration.
• Project financial management and data analysis skills.
• Ability to represent Sightsavers with key external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Proficiency in IT skills, including Excel, MS Word, an accounting package, and emailing.
• Ability to understand and work with project budgets, forecasts, and reports.
• Knowledge of SYCEBNL.

Desirable:

• Speaking French would be desirable.
• Experience in supporting financial control and managing risk.
• Familiarity with organisational Financial Frameworks and financial management controls.