Finance Manager

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Role: Finance Manager
Employer: AdvocAid Sierra Leone
Reports to: Board of Directors
Application Deadline: March 27, 2026
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

 

Application Instructions: Submit CV and Cover Letter to info@afriqia-solutions.com with “Finance Manager” in Subject Line.

 

Organisation’s Overview

Since 2006, AdvocAid has grown from being a small grassroots organisation supporting female prisoners to becoming a leading organisation in Sierra Leone for providing access to justice for women and girls. Our key activities include facilitating access to legal representation for indigent women, literacy classes, welfare support, post prison support and research/ advocacy on issues related to women’s rights. We have offices in Freetown, Makeni and Kenema. 

For more information visit https://advocaidsl.org  | www.facebook.com/advocaidsierraleone 

 

Role Purpose

AdvocAid is seeking an experienced and values-driven Finance Manager to lead the organisation’s finance function in Sierra Leone. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring strong financial management, effective internal controls, donor and statutory compliance, audit readiness, risk management, and high-quality financial reporting. The postholder will also act as a trusted adviser to senior management and the Board, supporting sound decision-making, organisational sustainability, and accountability across all programmes and operations. 

 

Duties and responsibilities

1. Financial leadership, planning and reporting
  • Lead the overall financial management of the organisation and coordinate all finance processes.
  • Prepare and oversee annual budgets, forecasts, cash flow planning, and management accounts.
  • Provide timely, accurate, and analysis-driven financial reports, dashboards, and advice to the General Manager, Senior Management Team, and Board.
  • Support organisational financial planning, sustainability, and value-for-money decision-making.
  • Communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues to strengthen planning and accountability across the organisation.  

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2. Financial operations and internal controls
  • Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including banking, reconciliations, ledger management, cashbooks, transfers, and financial record keeping.
  • Ensure QuickBooks, Excel cashbooks, and all supporting schedules are accurate, complete, and up to date.
  • Maintain robust internal controls over payments, advances, authorisations, documentation, filing, and financial data security.
  • Continuously improve financial systems and processes to increase efficiency, transparency, and risk control.
  • Ensure all financial records are properly maintained, securely stored, and readily available for review and audit. 

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3. Grant, project and donor finance management
  • Lead the financial management of grants, donor-funded projects, and restricted funds from proposal stage to close-out.
  • Prepare project budgets and forecasts, monitor expenditure, and ensure spending remains aligned with approved budgets and donor requirements.
  • Review and process project advances and payments in line with internal controls and donor rules.
  • Prepare accurate and timely donor financial reports and act as the main finance focal point for donor queries and financial reviews.
  • Ensure full compliance with donor agreements, organisational policies, and statutory requirements across all grants and projects. 

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4. Audit, compliance and risk management
  • Lead preparation of annual financial statements and coordinate external audits, donor audits, and follow-up on audit recommendations.
  • Ensure compliance with internal approval processes, procurement procedures, donor rules, tax obligations, and other statutory requirements in Sierra Leone.
  • Lead financial risk identification, mitigation, and reporting, and strengthen the organisation’s control environment.
  • Support periodic review and updating of financial policies, manuals, and procedures in line with legal obligations and good practice.
  • Promote a strong culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance throughout the organisation. 

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5. Team leadership and capacity strengthening
  • Line manage and support the finance team, including performance management, coaching, and day-to-day supervision.
  • Play an active role in the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategic and operational decision-making.
  • Build financial awareness across the organisation by training staff and budget holders on financial systems, procedures, and compliance requirements.
  • Foster strong working relationships with colleagues, partners, sub-grantees, auditors, banks, and donors. 

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Qualifications and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
  • Full or Part-qualified (Above intermediary level) professional accountancy qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent preferred;
  • 7+ years’ relevant professional finance experience, including at least 3 years in a senior finance management role.
  • Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, reconciliations, audit preparation, and financial risk management.
  • Strong IT skills, including advanced Excel and accounting software, especially QuickBooks.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.

Skills and competencies

  • Strong integrity, honesty and professionalism in the stewardship of funds and financial information.
  • High levels of accountability, rigour and reliability.
  • A strong compliance mindset, with close attention to donor rules, statutory obligations, and internal controls.
  • Excellent prioritisation, time management and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to present financial information clearly to senior management and the Board.
  • Strong communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
  • A commitment to AdvocAid’s aims and values.