Head of Finance

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Role: Head of Finance
Employer: BRAC Liberia
Application Deadline: 07 th April 2025
Work Location: Monrovia, Liberia with frequent (30%) travel to the field.

 

Application guide: Submit your CV and Cover Letter to info@afriqia-solutions.com with “Head of Finance”
in the Subject Line.

About BRAC International

BRAC International is a leading non-profit organization with a mission to empower people and
communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Founded in 1972, by Sir
Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC is the largest non-governmental development organization in the world and is
currently in 17 countries and operating directly in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Liberia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

BRAC launched operations in Liberia in 2008 and is currently in 12 out of 15 counties with a focus
extreme poverty with programs on agriculture, food security and livelihoods, health, youth empowerment,
education, microfinance and social enterprises. BRAC Liberia implements proven, scalable solutions that
equip people with the support and confidence necessary to achieve their potential through integrated
programs approaches that empower mostly women and youth. BRAC has institutional expertise on
various programs touching the lives of over 100 million people in the Global South.

Key Purpose

The Head of Finance is to ensure smooth and efficient management of the country Finance & Accounts
Department. Lead the country team to ensure financial controls are in place at all level and preparation
and timely submission of different financial reports adhering local and international accounting standards.
The candidate will provide leadership and direction to the finance department. The Head of Finance will
maintain close contact with the technical anchors at BRAC International HQ, and at the Africa Regional
Office to ensure BRAC Liberia profile and reputation with stakeholders are strong and reflect
organizational values, vision, and mission.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Oversee the Overall Accounting and Finance Processes of the Country Operation:

  • Lead the finance and accounting functions, ensuring effective financial management across the
    country office.
  • Maintain robust financial controls to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure compliance
    with policies and procedures.
  • Manage all financial operations including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and
    cash management.

Ensure Project-wise Accounts Recording, Reporting, Cost Allocation, and Recovery:

  • Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions for all projects within the country.
  • Oversee the allocation of costs to appropriate projects, ensuring compliance with project
    agreements and financial standards.
  • Monitor project financial performance and ensure effective recovery of project costs.

Supervise the Monthly Accounts Closing and Deliverables to Head Office Finance:

  • Lead the month-end closing process, ensuring the timely and accurate submission of financial
    reports to the Head Office.
  • Review all financial data to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with accounting
    standards.
  • Ensure the timely preparation and submission of financial deliverables to support consolidated
    reporting.

 

Ensure Proper Reconciliations of Bank Accounts, Intercompany Transactions, and Accruals:

  • Oversee the reconciliation of bank accounts, ensuring discrepancies are identified and resolved
    promptly.
  • Manage the reconciliation of intercompany transactions, ensuring alignment between the
    country office and other entities.
  • Ensure timely and accurate accruals to reflect the financial position of the country office.
    Provide Strategic Level Support for Country-Level Decision Making:
  • Provide financial insights and analysis to the Country Director and senior management team to
    support strategic decision-making.
  • Participate in the development of the country’s financial strategy, including risk management
    and sustainability planning.
  • Contribute to long-term planning and forecasting to ensure the financial sustainability of the
    country office.

Annual Budgeting and Periodic Variance Analysis:

  • Lead the development of the annual budget, working closely with program and operations
    teams.
  • Conduct periodic financial reviews and variance analysis to ensure alignment with the budget
    and provide explanations for deviations.
  • Collaborate with department heads to implement corrective actions where necessary.
    External Audit Coordination and Timely Completion:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, ensuring the smooth execution of
    the audit process.
  • Prepare all required documentation and financial statements for audits, ensuring compliance
    with local and international accounting standards.
  • Address audit findings and recommendations, implementing corrective actions as needed.

Regulatory and Tax Affairs:

  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory and tax requirements in the country, including timely
    submission of tax returns and other filings.
  • Liaise with government agencies and regulatory bodies to resolve any tax or regulatory issues.
  • Monitor changes in local laws and regulations and assess their impact on the country office’s
    financial operations.

Project Donor Financial Reporting:

  • Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of financial reports for donors, in accordance with
    donor agreements and requirements.
  • Monitor project budgets to ensure funds are being spent in accordance with donor agreements
    and project plans.
  • Coordinate with program teams to ensure alignment between financial reporting and
    programmatic deliverables.
  • Any other activities related to finance assigned by the management.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

  • Promote accountability and high performance, encourage a team culture of learning, creativity
    and innovation.
  • Manage the finance team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as
  • needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
  • Manage the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure the
  • availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
  • Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into the team building process.
  • Manage the performance of all staff in the finance department through effective use of the Performance Management System, including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.

Safeguarding, Safety and Security

  • Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe
    working environment.
  • Responsible for ensuring team members are appropriately trained, supported, and have access
    to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the
    safeguarding policy and procedure.
  • Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure and in case any reportable incident takes place,
    encourage others to do so.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Communicate with Bank(s), External Auditors, Donors, Investors, and Government offices.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • No major financial issues from External / Internal Auditors including donors and government
    authorities.
  • Smooth financial management in assigned countries.
  • Holding capacity building workshops for local accountants.
  • On time delivery of Donor reports.
  • Minimized cash shortages in all branches by 100% this will improve the cash management system and minimize fraud.

Education and Knowledge

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or its equivalent
  • Professional qualification in ACCA/CPA/CA is an added advantage.
  • At least 8-10 years of managerial experience in Finance & Accounts in national or international organization or other humanitarian environments.
  • 3 years’ experience of independently leading Accounts department.
  • Professional qualification in ACCA/CPA/CA is an added advantage.
  • Knowledge on IAS/IFRS, Accounting, Budgeting, Finance, Auditing, Tax, VAT, Fiscal laws and their application.
  • In depth knowledge of international standards on Auditing.
  • Proficiency in the use of MS Office.
  • Substantial knowledge and experience of effective financial and budgetary controls.

Skills and Competencies

  • Exceptional general management and communication skills, including ability to communicate
    effectively with people of varied professional and cultural backgrounds.
  • Previous experience of managing and developing a sizable team and the ability to lead, motivate
    and develop others to achieve high impact results.
  • Should be sincere, polite, dynamic, hardworking and willing to work under pressure.
  • Should have good presentation skills in English.