Financial Controller- South Sudan

GOAL South Sudan is seeking a driven and proactive individual to work as the Financial Controller in Juba to oversee the financial management, internal control systems, partnership finance, management of funds and statutory requirements of the country programme.

Reporting to the Country Director (CD), the Financial Controller will be responsible for timely submission of monthly management accounts to GOAL Head Office (HO), donor reports, statutory reports, and other ad hoc reporting to relevant authorities, as well as budget preparation and monitoring of the programme spend. The Financial Controller will work on strengthening finance procedures and developing the capacity of the finance team. As a key member of the senior management team (SMT), the Financial Controller will contribute to the overall risk management, development and running of the country programme. 

Duties and responsibilities 

Financial management 

• Prepare monthly management accounts for approval by Country Director for submission to GOAL HQ adhering to reporting deadlines as set by the Global Finance Director. 
• Ensure proper financial systems, in the office and in the field offices (both GOAL’s and its partners) are in place and implemented to accurately record all financial transactions. 
• Liaise with Systems Director, in-country legal advisers and HQ, as well as with local accountants & auditors relating to GOAL in-country reporting and tax payments. 
• Ensure compliance with GOAL's standard accounting procedures and policies across the country programme and actively monitor internal controls to minimise risk to the organisation. Including but not limited to appropriate cash management procedures. 
• Ensure preparation and retention of documentation to facilitate audits including annual external audit, donor audits, internal audits, and revenue audits. 
• Review monthly and quarterly donor status reports for submission to GOAL Head Office, Dublin, adhering to deadlines. 
• Oversee all cash management, including cash counts and cash transfers to field sites and partners in cooperation with Programmes & Logistics teams to ensure that the Country Office is compliant with donor and internal guidelines. 
• Maintain and keep updated Country Office Finance Manual with any approved exceptions to the standard GOAL global Finance Manual, including a summarised and simplified finance and logistics manual for use by project managers and other field-based staff. 

Internal Controls and Compliance with Donor Regulatory Requirements, 

• Ensure cost allocations basis among donors are reasonable and in line with GOAL recommended methods. 
• Review financial and compliance reporting to donors and other regulatory bodies, adhering to deadlines, coordinating with local legal and accounting advisors as appropriate. 
• Oversee preparation and review the financial sections of donor proposals, budgets, and reports. 
• Review GOAL annual and quarterly rolling budgets. 
• Monitor and assist programme/project managers with the financial management of programme budgets including expenditure forecasting and ensuring the Budget Monitoring Tool (BMT) is completed accurately and in a timely manner. 
• Visit partner and field offices regularly to ensure partners and field staff are complying with all GOAL/ donor procedures.
• Adhere to donor compliance and contractual guidelines in spending of and preparation of financial reports and information for the donor.
• Conduct finance checks to ensure procurement procedures are completed with all payments and are supported by appropriate documentation in line with GOAL policies and procedures.
• Ensure bank mandates are kept up to date, changes are made timely and required documentation is filed externally and internally.

 Improving financial capacity 

• Manage/supervise and work closely with financial, administrative and partner staff. 
• Assess need and develop capacity building programs for GOAL partners and GOAL staff. 
• Review financial components of MOUs and contracts for suppliers and vendors. 
• Ensure country compliance with the employee tax regulations, that all relevant statutory deductions are made from the employees’ salaries and paid out to the appropriate authorities, coordinating with country legal, accounting, and human resource advisors as appropriate. 
• Provide support to human resources on personnel and staff issues which have financial implications. 

People Management and SMT membership 

• Report directly to Country Director in country, maintaining oversight of the GOAL Country Office finances. Work closely with the Finance Director in Dublin and other SMT members in country to provide guidance and oversight of the finance function. 
• Provide leadership, direction, and capacity building support for the in-country Finance Team. 
• Provide training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding GOAL’s financial procedures and internal controls, and finance management tools. 
• Ensuring GOALs values and policies, including accountability and equality, are reflected in the work of the Finance Team. 

Finance / Logistics Crossover

• Ensure assets and equipment listed on the financial transaction list match the Fixed Asset Register (FAR) and liaise with Logistics monthly to update donor details and finance payment references.
• Review monthly, bi-annual and annual end stock takes and ensure donor details and stock valuation is accurate.
• Ensure Order Tracking Sheet (OTS) and Contract Management Database (CMS) are updated with correct donor and payment details.
• Ensure Donations and Distributions in Kind are recorded on a timely basis, and all supporting documentation is filed.

Other Duties

• The postholder may be requested to undertake other activities mutually agreed with the CD.

Behaviours (Values in practice) 

• Commitment to Humanitarian Principles and practices.
• Preparedness to stand with vulnerable communities by understanding and responding appropriately to their needs.
• High level of integrity acted out through honest and open dealings and relationships. 
• Highest level of respect shown towards all our partners including community, government stakeholders, donors and staff in a way that encourages dialogue and understanding. 
• Act as a representative of GOAL and demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children and vulnerable adults both in your private and professional lives. 

Requirements (Person Specification):

Essential 

• Qualified accountant with international recognized institute (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent). 
• At least seven years’ experience, with substantial experience (4+ years) working in a humanitarian context. 
• Experience dealing with institutional donors such as FCDO, USAID/BHA, ECHO, EU, UN, development banks, private and trust foundations. 
• Experience working remotely and cooperatively with HQ-based staff. 
• Strong IT skills and systems experience – Advanced level of Excel and experience with SAGE or similar accounting package.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and monitoring.
• Team management experience with excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills. 
• Management experience with a demonstration of analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable agreed activities and manage a finance team.
• Strong ability to work in highly pressured environment, with high levels of deliverables required on a continuous basis.
• Excellent capacity building skills – the ability to work with people of different technical abilities and support them to gain confidence in areas of expertise.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English are essential.

Desirable 

• Culturally sensitive and empathic to others, with a ‘can do’ attitude. 

General Terms and Conditions

A commitment to GOAL values of Humanitarianism, Courage, Partnership, Transparency and Accountability and Inclusiveness is critical to working with GOAL.

Safeguarding 

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.  

Accountability within GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols. 
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area. 
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

General Description of the Programme/GOAL

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian and development agency, with a team of 2,400 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 14 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

GOAL has an annual budget of an estimated €200 million and is supported by a range of donors including the Governments of Ireland, UK, USA, the European Union, individuals, trusts and foundations. GOAL values the power of partnership and works with local and international partners to achieve its mission.

GOAL has been working in South Sudan since 1985 with a focus on Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security, and livelihood interventions, and is continually adapting and responding to the context to support the people in need. GOAL currently operates in Abyei Special Administrative Area, Kajo-Keji, Twic (in Warrap State), Renk, and Ulang Counties and is working to expand its operations to other parts of the country where humanitarian needs are immense.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.