Senior Finance and Risk Officer

At Sightsavers, we start with sight, but we do not stop there. We work closely with communities and local volunteers to help us carry out our work. We also partner with regional, national, and international organisations, governments, and non-governmental organisations in over 30 countries in Africa and South Asia, working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of women, girls, and people with disabilities, and help to improve local health services so they are sustainable. We have more than 70 years of experience, and we are proud to be a leader in our field.

Title: Senior NTD Finance and Risk Officer – RLM

Location: Zambia or Senegal

Contract: Two-year fixed term contract

Salary: Local Terms and Conditions apply

About the role

Sightsavers’ NTD/Inclusion Finance, Risk and Support Team oversees a portfolio of over £100 million, ensuring donor compliance across finance, audit, risk, and supply chain operations. We are dedicated to delivering value and supporting Sightsavers’ mission through meticulous management of contracts and grants.

Financial Oversight: Conduct reviews and provide feedback on financial documents for RLM and other programmes, ensuring partners and Sightsavers’ staff maintain rigorous standards.

Collaborative Planning: Work closely with technical and operational teams to compile donor submissions, including financial reports and risk assessments, adhering to strict deadlines.

System Integration: Align programme finances with our systems under the guidance of the Head of NTD/Inclusion Finance, producing detailed reports and Power BI dashboards.

Donor Engagement: Participate in donor meetings, contributing to discussions and decisions that shape programme direction and funding.

Compliance and Auditing: Oversee partner compliance, conduct audits, and support financial monitoring to ensure adherence to contractual agreements and financial protocols.

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.

The Finance and Risk Officer will take on the pivotal role of managing the finances for the innovative Reach the Last Mile (RLM) programme. With a hands-on approach, you will ensure the day-to-day financial operations are executed flawlessly, under the expert guidance of our senior team. Your responsibilities will not only be confined to the meticulous management of the RLM programme but will also extend to providing essential budget support for upcoming proposals. This role is tailor-made for a finance professional who is eager to make a significant impact in a dynamic, supportive environment.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential:

Able to demonstrate finance and accountancy experience. Working towards an accountancy qualification a strong advantage but not essential.
Awareness of overseas development context gained through working in the INGO sector is preferable but not essential
Experience of institutional donor or contract management preferable

Desirable:

Proficiency with Excel (including pivot tables) is required and experience of a computer-based accounting system
Knowledge of Power Query and Power BI is desirable
Strong attention to detail with a willingness to follow issues through to resolution
Well organised and conscientious with an appreciation of the importance of meeting reporting commitments
Willingness to continuously develop skills and knowledge to remain current with donor funding developments
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally across a variety of cultures
Experience of institutional donor or large-scale contract management including audit
Experience of working with partners and colleagues with a wide range of financial capacity and providing them with guidance and support
Fluent in written and spoken English. French or Portuguese language skills an advantage but not required

Closing date: 9 June 2024

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying. Please note that there will be an expectation that you can visit our modern and collaborative offices in Haywards Heath, West Sussex (RH16 3BW) at least once per month.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.