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Country Finance Director

Central African Republic Responsible to: Country Director, Programme Finance Manager Working with: Country Management Team, Programme Finance Officer and Head Office Start Date: ASAP Duration: 12-24 months Salary: £34,410- £35,160 per annum (dependant on relevant experience inclusive of annual Cost of Living Allowance Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, R&R, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Merlin International Profile Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.

Context and Background The UN has described the situation in CAR as “the world’s most silent crisis.” Following a decade of coups and mutinies which have destroyed infrastructure and shattered the economy,the resurgence of armed conflict in October 2005 between the government and rebel forces in the north of CAR sparked a humanitarian crisis. The most affected areas were the prefectures of Bamingui-Bangoran, Vakaga, Nana-Gribingui, Ouham, Ouham-Pende and Nana-Mambere. In response to this situation, Merlin conducted an assessment in CAR in May 2007, which identified significant unmet needs in the health sector. Merlin subsequently set up a primary health care (PHC) project in Kaga Bandoro, the capital of Nana Gribizi prefecture as part of a 3- year strategy to increase access to and the capacity of government health services in CAR.

This program has comprised of curative, inpatient observation, reproductive health services in11 health facilities, expanded programme on immunisation (EPI) in three fixed facilities, preventive and promotive health services, disease surveillance, capacity building and HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. Merlin will hand over its activities in this region in the course of 2010.

Merlin’s work in CAR is continuously adapting to the situation on the ground and recent developments have led the organisation to focus its activities in Nana Mambere prefecture, in the west of the country. Merlin started a programme in August 2008 in Bouar and its surroundings supporting 3 health centres. Merlin will scale up in this region in the beginning of 2010, continuing its work on primary health care and starting a nutrition programme.

Main purpose of the role Merlin’s country programmes vary considerably in terms of their focus, size and complexity, and also in levels of financial capability and strategic thinking. The Country Finance Director is a key member of the Country Management Team, which is responsible for managing existing country activities and developing a clear country strategy and associated income streams.

This role is directly managed by the Country Director, and is technically managed by the Programmes Finance Manager in Head Office, and appraisal for this role is undertaken jointly by the Country Director and the Programmes Finance Manager. This role links directly with the Programmes Finance Officer in Merlin’s Head Office in London on a day-to-day basis and the effectiveness of this relationship directly impacts project management and accountability.

The Country Finance Director, as a member of the Country Management Team, plays a key role in developing and implementing the country strategy especially the required financial inputs, as well as ensuring that there are sound financial practices in country and rigorous budgetary control.

This position provides financial management for a multi-programme and multi-site operation in a challenging living and working environment. A key priority in all locations is to embed clear financial management controls and to ensure understanding of and compliance with these by all staff.

Overall Objectives Reporting to the Country Director, and working closely with Programmes Finance team in Merlin’s London Head Office, the Country Finance Director will: • Be a member of the Country Management Team and take the lead role on financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and developing financial management capacity throughout the country. • Directly manage the Country Finance Team to ensure effective and proactive financial leadership, support and guidance is provided to managers in country. • Be responsible for the preparation and reporting of field finances to head office and ensure that budget preparation, financial reporting and amendment planning for donors is completed in a timely manner and approved by head office before submission. • Ensure appropriate systems and procedures, support and guidance for country programmes. • Be responsible for the Human Resources and Administration functions. (in some locations only)

Responsibilities

Financial Oversight • Ensure internal financial procedures, systems, policies and controls are applied and complied with throughout the country programme operations by all staff • Be the lead person and provide financial support on all financial issues in the country Management Team • Develop the funding/finance strategy for the country • Prepare budgets, amendments and forecasts working with the Country Director and others • Provide Head Office with all necessary financial information both proactively and on request • Ensure donor reports and requirements are complied with to maximise available funding • Monitor and control the balance sheet accounts

Procedures, Systems and Controls • Ensure compliance with local regulations in respect of financial and other matters (e.g. Registration, Foreign Exchange, taxation and labour laws). • Ensure compliance with the financial and other requirements of donors • Ensure the development and implementation of in-country financial security guidelines and regularly review their effectiveness and the compliance of all staff with these guidelines • Conduct internal audits for the field sites every three months, to ensure that all financial and administrative procedures are carried out in line with Merlin policies and guidelines and local Legislation • Regularly review the financial and reporting systems to ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose

Treasury • Co-ordinate and maintain a cash forecasting system to ensure that adequate funds are available to meet the working requirements of the programmes • Ensure that payments are made in a timely and secure manner across all the country operations • Along with the finance department in Head Office, ensure that all debts are recovered promptly

Donor Reporting & Monitoring of expenditure • Prepare donor financial reports in line with donor reporting requirements • Monitor ongoing levels of expenditure on individual programmes against budget, and provide timely advice of likely over or under-spends to the Country Management Team, and the relevant Programme & Finance teams in head office. • Ensure respective Programme Coordinators and Programme Managers understand variance implications and how to respond to and manage them effectively.

External Relationships & Compliance • Ensure that contractual commitments (e.g. for the rental of vehicles and/or premises) are financially sound and appropriate for the circumstances of the programme. • Liaise with local legal advisors when necessary • Ensure appropriate and timely contact with in-country government agencies to ensure that all legal requirements are met, e.g. work permits, import licences • Liaise with International NGO Finance Directors in-country and actively participate in interagency co-ordination meetings.

Management and training • Manage and support the performance and development of the in-country finance and administration staff, to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective service. • Make regular visits to Field sites for monitoring and supervision purposes • Provide financial support, training and advice to all individuals in country.

Human Resources • Oversee the HR function to ensure sound in-country HR policies and procedures which comply with Merlin HR policy, local labour laws and good practice, and which promote Merlin’s organisational values • Advise and coach line managers and staff on Merlin’s national HR policies and good HR practice including appraisal, performance management, staff development, discipline and absence management. • Supervise the administrative needs of the international staff including flight bookings, obtaining legal documentation, holiday and R&R planning, salary advances and international staff return forms • Coordinate and support all aspects of the recruitment and selection process of national staff (including job description development, recruitment planning, advertising & short listing, selection interviews and tests, job offers, salary calculations and issuing contracts) in liaison with line managers, ensuring that Merlin’s recruitment process and good practice is carried out in all recruitment and selection activity. • Ensure accurate maintenance and safe storage of all staff HR records (e.g. contracts, leave records, pay history etc) • Manage timely, accurate and systematic payroll and income tax payments for all national staff. • Manage the national HR Manager

Person Specification Essential Qualifications, experience and competences

• Qualified accountant ACCA, ACA, CPA, (or equivalent), or substantial relevant work experience • Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English & French • In depth knowledge of financial systems and implementing internal controls • Practical experience of pro-actively monitoring and reporting on budgets • Proven experience of analysing financial information to understand the current situation and to determine the strategic direction • Proven experience of introducing and managing changes to finance systems, procedures and practices. • Understanding of financial security issues and how to develop appropriate guidelines • Some experience of managing a team within a finance department • Some relevant experience of training/capacity building • Proven administration skills • Strong ability to plan and work independently • Experience of living or working in different cultures and countries • Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office with advanced Excel skills • Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures. • Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines • Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues • An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values • Knowledge and understanding of HR practices & issues • Good experience of managing and undertaking high quality recruitment processes • Experience of development and implementing HR policies & procedures, and of supporting staff and managers in their use • Experience of dealing with employee relations issues

Desirable Qualifications, experience and competences • Experience and understanding of working in a donor environment and meeting donor compliance requirements • Experience of financial management with an international NGO in an overseas setting • Familiarity with mid-range accounting systems (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, PS Financials) • Experience of HR management in an overseas setting (for roles involving HR management) • Experience of office management

To apply for this position

To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.

If you are unable to apply online please download and complete an application form and email it to: applications@merlin.org.uk.

Please note that we do not accept CVs and any application must therefore be made online or by completing our application form. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Data Protection In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment should an offer of employment be made. This information will be stored in manual and/or computer form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act. In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.