The British High Commission (BHC) Kigali delivers on the UK’s policy, programming and political objectives in Rwanda and Burundi. This is led by the High Commissioner (Ambassador in Burundi) supported by a Development Director and four implementation teams. The UK’s overall objective is to help build a Rwanda that is stable, open and prosperous: where all its people benefit from prosperity; where Rwanda has strong and productive relationships with its neighbours; and where Rwanda is a driving force for peace, security and greater development in the region.

We are seeking to appoint a Finance Manager to manage the BHCK platform and operational finances. 

• As Platform Finance Manager you will lead on all elements of Financial Management for the Platform (operational budget) for the British High Commission in Kigali and Bujumbura. This role combines technical financial skills with strong leadership across the platform function. You will ensure effective budgeting, spend and compliance for the Platform budget. The role will work across the Delivery Excellence Team to help build capability on financial management and ensure compliance and due diligence across all BHCK operational expenditure. This includes serving as the Post Fraud Liaison Officer to promote counter-fraud awareness, manage fraud risk and give support to internal audit. You will work closely with the Delivery Excellence Team Leader, the Deputy Head of Mission, the Corporate Services Manager and remote finance colleagues in Pretoria, Manilla and the UK. You will line manage a Finance Assistant.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for the platform (operational) budget for the BHC Kigali and BEO Bujumbura – Lead on platform budget preparation & forecasts and track and monitor costs and spend. Ensure assurance and compliance across platform spend. Prepare platform budget finance reports for the Kigali Leadership Team that report against spend targets and flag and escalate any risks or areas for concern. Respond to platform finance commissions from the Hub and centre.
• Finance administration and adherence to compliance requirements. Ensure the payroll is processed with accuracy and on time – Ensure the P2P (peer-to-peer) payment process runs smoothly and promptly address any issues or problems. Monitor the use of Government Procurement Cards and Corporate Credit Cards at Post and report to the Kigali Leadership Team on reconciliation performance. Oversee the Financial Performance and Compliance Indicators to ensure performance is ‘green’. Convene and lead regular finance meetings with budget holders to quality assure and challenge budgets/forecasts, spend pattern and supplier management
• Risk Management and internal controls – Identify and mitigate financial and fraud related risks related to platform finance. Ensure risks are escalated in a timely manner through the appropriate governance mechanisms. Oversee internal controls relating to platform finances and ensure these are well understood and applied appropriately by staff.
• HERA finance system – Build the capacity of colleagues to effectively use HERA, which is the FCDO’s finance accounting and reporting system.

The Post holder will be expected to work in an agile and flexible manner, and other tasks may be assigned as and when required by the line manager or senior leadership.  

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

The successful candidate will manage an AO Finance Assistant

Learning and development opportunities 

BHC Kigali has a strong learning and development offer and is committed to staff development. Finance staff also benefit from an extensive regional/global network which presents a range of L&D opportunities.  Previous job holders have received FCDO support to gain or maintain professional accounting qualifications.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a finance role, preferably in an operational setting.
• Recommended to be a qualified or part-qualified accountant or working towards a qualification with one of the five Consultative Committees of Accounting Bodies (CCAB) i.e. ACCA; CIPFA; ICAEW; ICAI or ICAS; or CIMA or an international equivalent qualification.
• Experience of working collaboratively with business or programme managers as well as with other finance staff to provide an accurate financial position, along with robust forecasts.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail to produce financial analysis. Able to draw on advanced excel skills.
• Ability to present complex financial information tailored to a diverse audience including non-finance colleagues.
• A proactive and self-starting approach to their work and to engaging others outside of their immediate team
• A focus on improving capability of self and others, including through continuous professional development
• Ability to manage conflicting workloads to achieve tight deadlines, adhering to the finance annual timetable and responding to ad-hoc requests as required. 

Also expected to demonstrate the following technical competencies:

• Reporting and control: provision of information to support and advise on policy development, provision of management advice and supporting the business to deliver their objectives.
• Decision Support: collate and provide management information as well as offering some advice and support on analyses and interpretation of the data.
• Operational finance: demonstrate a good knowledge of accounting processes and doing or overseeing transactional work such as posting or approving journals, performing/ reviewing reconciliations, etc.  
• Risk management and counter fraud: demonstrating an understanding of programme and organisational risks and controls.