Sierra Leone: Director of Finance and Accounting

Position Title: Director of Finance and Accounting, Sierra Leone

Reports To: Executive Director, Sierra Leone

Location: Sierra Leone

Organizational Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization that is committed to providing a preferential option to the poor in health care. PIH partners with local governments, in 10 countries across the world, to build local capacity, deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change.

Partners In Health Sierra Leone (PIH SL) is only three years old with a workforce of over 350 dedicated employees carrying out programs in multiple districts. PIH SL’s programs are designed with the goal of strengthening local health systems through community health workers, clinical mentorship to facility-based staff, delivery of comprehensive primary and secondary facility care, equipment and infrastructure improvements, and community based programs that aim to increase the socioeconomic mobility of vulnerable populations. PIH’s defining characteristic is its long term commitment to the people and the countries that it serves.

General Responsibilities

The Director of Finance and Accounting will serve as a valued member of PIH SL’s Senior Management Team with ultimate responsibility for the overall financial management of PIH SL.

In overseeing all finance and accounting processes, the successful candidate will take on responsibility for ensuring compliance with PIH global and donor reporting, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, as well as local regulatory obligations.

The Director of Finance and Accounting takes responsibility for managing external relations with key 3rd party financial bodies including banking institutions, the National Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance.

The position assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring that PIH SL’s program management are provided valuable internal reporting that supports informed financial decision making and the technical assistance necessary to build out quality internal budgets and donor proposals. In addition, the role is responsible for the professional development of the local finance team and the timely and accurate payment of PIH SL employees.

Finally, the successful candidate will act as an advisor to the Executive Director and Senior Management Team on organizational issues and strategy.

The ideal candidate should be familiar with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and have experience in managing teams and building financial control environments in young organizations. The ideal candidate should value the importance of teamwork, cross-functional collaboration, and a positive work environment as well having a strong passion for social justice and the mission of Partners In Health.

Specific Responsibilities

Quality accounting practices and compliant financial reporting

· Oversee monthly and annual close processes as well as the day to day accounting functions in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.

· Act as the primary PIH SL audit contact and ensure annual PIH audits and local grant audits are performed in accordance with the applicable regulatory standards.

· Act as the primary contact for local regulatory bodies, the National Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance and ensure regulatory reporting and tax obligations are appropriately satisfied.

· Act as the primary contact for Boston finance and ensure PIH accounting practices are adhered to.

Continuous process and control environment improvement

· Complete periodic updates to the PIH Finance Manual.

· Continue to assess the operating effectiveness of existing entity level controls.

· Continue to design and implement controls that strengthen PIH SL’s control environment and create financial efficiencies.

Enhanced financial support to PIH SL programs

· Provide PIH SL Program Managers and Executive Leadership valuable internal reporting that can facilitate informed financial decision making.

· Support PIH SL Program Managers in developing quality internal budgets and performing re-budgeting throughout the financial year.

· Support PIH SL Program Managers and development staff to produce fully costed donor proposals that are tailored to local market conditions.

· Manage banking relationships and PIH SL’s cash position to ensure that PIH SL’s dynamic program demands are satisfied in a reliable and compliant manner.

Enhanced financial support to PIH SL employees

· Support PIH SL employees by ensuring they receive accurate benefits, in line with their employment contract and local regulations, and are fully aware of how their benefits are calculated.

· Manage banking relationships to ensure that PIH SL’s salary payments are executed in a timely, accurate and cost effective manner.

Capacity building and professional development of finance team members

· Play a lead role in developing capacity within the PIH SL accounting team by training local staff on core accounting principles and internal control measures.

Deliverables:

· Timely and accurate completion of monthly accounts by the 15th day of the following month in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.

· Timely and accurate completion of annual accounts, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, by the deadlines set by Boston head office.

· Timely and accurate completion of regulatory payments (withholding tax, income tax and social security) by the 15th day of the following month.

· Timely and accurate completion of payroll (full time, short term and third country nationals) by the Monday preceding the last Friday of every month.

· Monthly meetings with program management to discuss internal budget vs actual reporting.

· Submission of monthly wire requests to Boston head office.

· Submission of PIH SL consolidated budget updates to Boston head office, on a monthly basis or as needed.

· Submission of accurate and compliant donor reporting as they fall due.

· Submission of quality donor proposals as they fall due.

· Quarterly updates to the PIH SL approval matrix.

· Periodic review of PIH SL’s financial policies.

Qualifications

· Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance from an accredited college or university.

· Certified Public Accounting designation (CA/CPA/ACCA) required.

· Minimum 5 years accounting experience, including multiple years at a supervisory level.

· Demonstrated ability to lead across a range of cultures, personalities, and competencies.

· Demonstrated knowledge of not for profit accounting and financial reporting under IFRS and US GAAP.

· A demonstrated commitment to mentoring, and training a diverse team.

· Experience managing audit activities, financial reporting, budgeting and analysis.

· Experience as a part of a Senior Management Team or Executive Committee.

· Commitment to social justice and global health

· Sense of humor

Apply on the Partners In Health Career Site! Please include a Cover Letter and Resume or CV.