Grants Finance Manager

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

As a member of the Management Team, the incumbent is required to provide strategic financial input to decisions to be made covering all areas of ministry.  To implement financial policies in such areas as, but not limited to: budget, cash management and forecasting, funding by donors (especially Governments), recording and documentation, project auditing, monthly financial reporting and local resource acquisition; being cognizant of World Vision International financial policies. 

The Grants Finance Manager plays an advisory role to the Finance Director and the rest of the management team on matters related to risk management, internal controls systems and their impact on the overall grant management and compliance issues.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Financial Management and Reporting:

• Ensure that all grants/projects reports are discussed with the project team and passed to donors and support offices within the required time schedules.
• Respond to respective queries in relation to these reports from donors, support offices and internal WVP management.
• Co-ordinate and review project budget development (proposal, grant and matches) between the program personnel and the field teams.
• Review and Analyze grant expenses while using the same as a monitoring tool to advise the stakeholders on expenditure trends.
• Review donor financial reports and variance analysis before submission and provide feedback to the stakeholders.
• Correspond with WV support offices, donors and management regarding project income, expenditure and reporting. Ensure that project income is sufficiently committed on PBAS at all times including the approval of carry forwards.
• Be a key player in the issues of grants accounting and management to ensure accurate coding of expenses and full compliance with WVI internal and donor requirements.
• Occasionally visit project field sites to ensure financial controls and procedures are in place.
• Ensure that various donor regulations are complied with in all grant transactions and processes; keep the Finance Director informed on all major compliance issues/challenges while taking the necessary corrective steps.
• Review and advice on the project proposal/budget preparation in regard to compliance issues for all prospective sources of funding.
• Take part in the program and project performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting in accordance to donor requirements.
• Submit in good time end of project grant financial reports and follow up on the project close-out procedures relating to financial aspects, asset disposal and release of liability among others.
• Prepare and maintain the Grant Tracking Sheet while ensuring that the same is regularly shared with program and operations staff  as appropriate
• Provide a supervisory role to the Senior Finance Officer and Grant Finance Officer in ensuring the continuity of the project cycle management and adherence to Field Finance Manual.
• Play an active role in training and mentoring grant finance staff on matters related to grant management.

Financial accounting & management:

• Observe and monitor all internal control issues around grants.
• Actively participate in the production of the monthly management accounts.
• Take a leading role in ensuring that all grant audit queries are responded to in a timely manner and ensure that any audit recommendations arising from such audits are promptly implemented.
• Actively participate in generation and interpretation of monthly financial reports and communicate key indicators to the stakeholders.
• Review payment vouchers and other journals to ensure proper expense coding and documentation.
• Generate grant cash flow plans in coordination with the Finance Director to ensure that sufficient cash is available for project implementation.
• Plan and implement periodic visits to the field operational areas with a view to reviewing grant implementation and reporting processes to gain assurance that all donor requirements are being complied with as appropriate and implement systems to correct any deficiencies.
• Implement a capacity development plan for finance staff including field finance staff.
• Carry out performance management for Grants Finance staff periodically and document the same as appropriate.
• Carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned by the supervisor or his/her designee.
• The position will be requried 25% travelling.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

• A Master’s degree in Accounting or ACCA or CMA.
• Five years of experience at a senior-level.
• knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Practical knowledge of financial systems, internal financial controls & procedures and staff management skills.
• Good problem-solver, analytical, creative and innovative. Must be a team builder and adaptable.
• Experience in major donor regulations such as OFDA/USAID, CIDA, EC/ECHO, DFID and UN funding streams is a must