Position Summary :

The Country Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing all of the finance, administration and operational activities for Search Mali. Based in Bamako, the Country Finance Manager will report to Search’s Country Directors in Mali.

Key Responsibilities :

Roles and responsibilities include:

Financial Management :

• Be the lead reference point on all financial matters in Mali; support the country director in formulating financial strategic direction ;
• Responsible for effective management and supervision of the finances of staff, for teamwork, accuracy, timeliness, detail and systems thinking ;
• Support the country director to assess implications of financial issues in the short and long term.
• Coordinate with the Country Director and Leadership Management Team in developing and maintaining proactive, positive and professional relationships with partner organizations, other NGOs, donors, clients, key government officials and institutions ;
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, particularly contributing to its Institutional learning efforts in the systematizing of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the field of Finances.
• Develop, maintain and review procedures for processing income, payments, payroll and monthly, quarterly and year-end accounting, prepayments and accruals, bank and cash management, advances and loans and financial policies in line with global policies and procedures ;
• Lead Annual Budgeting Process for Mali ;
• Oversee preparation of weekly upload of expenses into the organization’s accounting system, including scanning and uploading supporting documentation, eg bank statements, cash and bank reconciliations, and payroll ;
• Review/update SFCG Mali procedures, ensuring that they comply with SFCG policies and donors’ as well as Indonesia legislation ;
• Support the decentralization process and capacity building of sub-offices in Finance ;
• Support the Country Director by ensuring compliance to all Grant agreements for financial reporting and procurement. This includes field level compliance to all legal aspects of the grant agreement ;
• Oversee sub-grantee contracts and ensure full reconciliation of all awards to partners and sub-grantees.
• Based on internal cash available and planned expenditure, send monthly cash requests for the program to Search’s HQ, with the approval of the Country Director ;
• In collaboration with the Country Director, manage Search bank account in Mali ;
• Monitor all project budgets for inaccurate charges and over/under spending and report any concerns to the country director on a monthly basis at minimum ;
• Be responsible for ensuring that reconciliation of balance sheet/control accounts is carried out monthly basis and that year-end accounting procedure are met consistently reporting any discrepancies to the Country Director ;
• Approve expenditures taking into account Search and internal policies and controls while considering available budget.
• Prepare annual and quarterly financial projections in collaboration with program teams ;
• Participate in the development of budgets for new proposals ;
• Ensure reconciliation of all accounts (including accruals and advances) on a monthly basis and report any irregularities to the country director ;
• Develop, manage and update an operational budget for the country programs ;
• Prepare documentation for internal and external audits ;
• Supervise and provide training in finance procedures to concerned Search staff members in Bamako office and in Mopti and Gao sub-offices, including on the use of the organization’s accountancy software ;
• Advise and assist the Country Director in the creation of project budgets based on needs in operational budget ;
• As required, assist the Country Director and HQ grants team with budget reporting to donors so that these are prepared and submitted in a timely manner, as per the grant agreements ;
• Ensure that systems are put in place for document security for a complete audit trail from the INTACCT accounting system records to supporting documentation and vice versa.

Audit Functions :

• Strengthen financial management and administration across the programme to ensure appropriate audit functions are carried out ;
• Ensure timely closure of finance audit recommendations related to donor compliance; participate in preparation, implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans .

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Qualifications :

You meet the following qualifications:

Education :

• University Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or Grants Management.

Experience :

• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience working for INGO in finance, accounting in managerial positions.

Skills and Competencies :

• Knowledge of international donors’ major compliance rules and regulations ;
• Strong spreadsheet and data analysis advanced skills (Microsoft Office, especially Excel, any  accounting software, using INTACCT software would be an advantage) ;
• Knowledge of financial controlling / audits considered an asset ;
• Dynamic, motivated and flexible self-starter leader with creative problem-solving skills ;
• Cultural sensitivity ;
• Spoken and written fluency in English and French ;
• Willingness to travel to the field.

To apply :

To apply, interested candidates should submit the following items to mali@sfcg.org

• current resume ;
• cover letter .

Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. Please see our website www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.

All Search Employees must adhere to the values :

Shared Humanity – Empathy – Impartiality – Inclusivity – Courage – Hope – Humility – Audacity. In accordance with these values, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest and Anti-fraud.

Country Director