Country Finance Director

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Position Title: Country Finance Director
Location: Conakry
Country: Guinea-Bissau
Deadline Date: 28th February 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that has been advancing children's rights and equality for girls for over 85 years. Established with the mission to support children and young people, Plan International operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on tackling the root causes of challenges faced by vulnerable children, particularly girls, who are often the most affected by issues such as poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. Plan International works collaboratively with children, young people, supporters, and partners to create a just world where every child can thrive. The organization is committed to driving changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels, leveraging its extensive reach, experience, and knowledge to support children's rights from birth until adulthood. Plan International's vision is to ensure equality for all children, and it continues to rally determined optimists to transform lives across the globe.

Job Overview:
The Country Finance Director (CFD) plays a crucial role in leading and managing the finance team within Plan International Guinea. This position is responsible for implementing financial standards, processes, and systems that align with the organization's program strategies and accountabilities to children, communities, and donors. As a key member of the Country Management Team, the CFD contributes to the strategic development of the country, assesses the impact of policy changes on financial strategies, and serves as a financial advisor to the management team. The CFD is tasked with setting and ensuring the implementation of procedures, guidelines, and work instructions for financial administration across the offices, while also overseeing and optimizing financial accounting practices. Furthermore, the CFD is responsible for providing timely and reliable financial information and analysis that supports effective decision-making within the organization. This role requires a strategic finance leader who can navigate complex humanitarian and development contexts, particularly in West Africa, ensuring transparency, compliance, and efficiency in financial operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Finance Director will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading and developing the finance team to enhance their capabilities; ensuring the implementation of financial standards and processes; providing financial oversight and guidance to the management team; developing and managing budgets in alignment with program strategies; ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies; conducting financial analysis and reporting to inform decision-making; optimizing financial structures to support impactful programs; managing treasury functions and cash flow; overseeing financial audits and ensuring timely resolution of audit findings; collaborating with other departments to align financial strategies with organizational goals; and fostering a culture of financial accountability and transparency within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Country Finance Director position must possess a strong background in financial management, business planning, and risk mitigation. They should have demonstrated experience in complex humanitarian and development contexts, particularly in West Africa. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of ensuring compliance and efficiency in financial operations, with expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and treasury management. Strong leadership skills are essential, as the CFD will be responsible for building and managing high-performing teams. Additionally, candidates should have excellent analytical skills and the ability to provide reliable insights for decision-making.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Country Finance Director position includes a degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. A professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, or equivalent is highly desirable. Candidates should have a solid understanding of financial principles and practices, as well as experience with financial management systems and tools.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in financial management, with a minimum of 7-10 years in a senior finance role, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector. Experience in managing finance teams and overseeing financial operations in complex environments is essential. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of donor compliance and reporting requirements, as well as experience in budgeting and financial forecasting.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position, as the CFD will be required to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local communities and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a 2-year fixed-term contract, with an expected start date of 1st July 202

• The Country Finance Director will report directly to the Country Director and will be provided with relocation support. Plan International is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and seeks to create a workplace environment that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding children and young people, and candidates should be aware that pre-employment checks will be conducted in accordance with Plan International's policies. Furthermore, Plan International will never request payment from candidates during the recruitment process.