Head – Finance

JOB DESCRIPTION

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

The Head –Finance is responsible for ensuring the financial accountability of TRAFFIC International including the production of reliable and timely consolidated financial reports. The Head – Finance is responsible for the consolidation of financial information from overseas TRAFFIC offices and outposted staff positions with that of the TRAFFIC International UK charity for incorporation into the statutory accounts. Overseas offices are located in Belgium, Cameroon, China, Malaysia, South Africa, Tanzania and Vietnam.

The Head – Finance monitors financial performance of a combined income portfolio of £12 million annually.

The Head – Finance manages a team of finance staff based in Cambridge as well as providing functional management of finance staff in overseas offices. The position actively mentors finance and administrative staff in Cambridge and TRAFFIC more widely.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Financial management and reporting

• Leads the development and implementation of sound financial and administrative policies, procedures and systems in TRAFFIC
• Oversees the financial status of TRAFFIC offices and develops consolidated analyses of the current and future financial status of the TRAFFIC International charity
• Assesses key areas of financial risk across the organisation including application of TRAFFIC’s cost recovery framework and flags areas for improvement with the Chief Operating Officer and other senior managers
• Is responsible for the preparation of consolidated TRAFFIC management accounts
• Is responsible for regular consolidated financial management reports for submission to the UK Charity Trustees and their Operations Committee
• Ensures appropriate reporting is available for Senior Management and project staff
• Oversees Treasury management including general reserves and restricted funding cashflows

Statutory reporting and audit

• Prepares the consolidated statutory financial statements with assistance from the finance and project administration teams
• Leads the annual external audit process, including: supervising the preparation of all audit schedules, responding to audit findings and implementing audit recommendations at a network level
• Monitors developments in UK charity accounting to ensure that TRAFFIC meets all relevant statutory requirements and recommended best practice
• Supports statutory audits of overseas subsidiaries including appointment of local auditors and management responses to audit finding reports
• Assists with project audits as needed

Internal controls

• Ensures that a robust internal control framework is in place to safeguard assets and to ensure sound financial management
• Works with the Project Support Unit to ensure that donor financial requirements are met
• Oversees implementation of internal controls and practices in overseas TRAFFIC offices, ensuring that TRAFFIC policies and procedures are followed
• Works, where necessary, with TRAFFIC hosts to ensure consistency with TRAFFIC financial reporting standards
• Provides regular briefs to the Chief Operating Officer in terms of financial performance (progress, underperformance, challenges) in programme offices

Finance information systems

• Oversees the operation of the TRAFFIC-approved accounting system in TRAFFIC programme offices
• Works with senior finance staff and systems support consultants to identify and implement improvements and enhancements to the current system

Recruitment and training

• Assists with recruitment and development of finance staff, including in programme offices
• Provides ongoing support to finance staff in the preparation and evaluation of monthly financial reports focusing on organisation-level consolidation, financial policies and procedures, and the use of the TRAFFIC standard accounting system
• Collaborates with finance, accounting, and programme staff on ensuring best practice in the development of budgets and management of restricted funds

General

• Participates in internal management structures as appropriate, including the operations leadership team
• Undertakes any other duties appropriate to the grade that may be determined from time to time in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer

REQUIREMENTS

• A recognized completed accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA CIPFA) is essential for the role holder to have.
• Several years of relevant and proven work experience in a similar finance role, with responsibility for a wide range of accounting functions including financial accounting and management
• Proven knowledge and experience of UK charity accounting and relevant legislation is essential for this role – knowledge of IFRS desirable.
• Experience in overseeing financial management of restricted funding and application of cost recovery models is essential.
• Strong experience in operation of accounting software packages
• Proven ability to be proactive in prioritising own workload to meet deadlines.
• Experience of managing a finance team, both local staff and those working remotely, including working with those in different cultures internationally.
• Strong communication skills with a fluency in verbal and written English – ability to work in another language is an advantage.
• Ability to travel to overseas TRAFFIC offices on limited occasions.

Source: https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=11131&lang=en