Panama: Gerencia Financiera Regional

About the Role

Reporting to the Regional Head of Business Resources and Solutions, the RFM provides financial leadership and management in the region, champions’ innovation in business processes and ensures an effective financial information system is maintained all times. The role engages, inspire, motivate and lead a team of dedicated staff at different levels to provide best in class financial management and support to 11 countries in one of the largest INGOs in the world and a regional budget in ROA of more than Euro100 million a year. As the region moves to operate in clusters and hubs, the RFM will be required to support countries in close coordination with Sub-Regional Directors in setting up systems and procedures that facilitates timely programme response.

Specifically, s/he will take care of the end-to-end regional financial management and business planning processes, the regional accounting and treasury activities, and the financial reporting and analysis. The RFM anchors financial management innovations and process in the region and links with the head office teams. S/he will also ensure internal financial controls and financial risk management in addition to people management responsibilities. As the organization is also going through a variety of change processes, the RFM will be a key staff member to lead some of the change in his/ her area.

Dimensions of Role:

· Reports to Head of Business Resources and Solutions with matrix reporting to IH Finance, Finance Planning & Analysis and Treasury

· Direct management of five staff in the Regional Office Finance Department and matrix management of 11 Country Finance Managers.

· Leadership of financial services provided to countries managing a combined budget of €100m and to the regional office which has its own budget of approximately €3m

· Delivery of internal and external financial reporting requirements to regional management and Plan’s International Headquarters

· Influencing and informing role regarding global financial standards, policies and systems development and implementation

· Oversight of statutory financial requirements within the region

· Member of the Senior Finance Leadership Team, regional management networks and forums

· Signatory on regional office and country bank accounts

· An approver of financial transactions subject to the prevailing Global financial authorisation policy (maximum of €300k)

· Review of external financial reporting of local foundations and provides advice as required.

· Supplier relationship management of external auditors and bankers

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

Oversight and development of an excellent and high performing team of finance managers and officers across the region

· Direct line-management of Regional Finance team ensuring excellent service support to whole region finance teams and services

· Line-management in a matrix relationship with all Country Offices with duties including recruitment and selection, performance management and development of individuals against the requirements of the business

· Team-building across the region for mutual support and readiness to respond to requirements for finance support, such as in emergencies

· Producing and monitoring the training schedule for the region in relation to finance systems, policies and procedures

Business plans drawn up in support of strategy rest on excellent financial management data and are supported by accurate and well-phased budgeting

· Monthly financial reports presented in a timely manner to the Regional Management with clear highlights of areas of concern affecting business

· Monitoring key financial services metrics of the finance function on a monthly basis and intervene with country finance teams as necessary.

· Monitoring key monthly, quarterly and annual financial performance measures of country offices and regional offices, provide advice on corrective measures and opportunities on a timely basis and implement actions required related to financial standards

· Communication of instructions and milestones within the region for business planning, budgeting, quarterly forecasting and cash-flow forecasting and facilitating these processes across the region

· Consolidation and review of regional budgets for accuracy and relevance to business plans,

· Preparation and/or review of business plans and funding requests from countries and departments within the region, challenging the assumptions and quality of the data and presenting these on behalf of the region to International Headquarters for funding and approval

· Supporting development and execution of country funding plans

Financial reporting and cash management across the region and country offices are accurate and compliant with established policies and procedures

· Responsible for ensuring quality and timely completion of all ROA entity month/quarter and year ends; including review and approval of reporting packs to IH.

· Review and approval of forecasts and monthly management accounts and annual financial returns

· Treasury management for the region, specifically efficient management of cash flow and cash balances

· Quality control of accounting and financial processes in the regional office and country operations including accounting accuracy and adherence to global minimum control standards

· Ensure accurate and timely reporting to donors across the regional programme

· Maintaining the financial authorisation matrix for the regional office and ensuring that financial authorisation matrices are maintained for each country operation in accordance with the prevailing financial authorisation policy

Regional and Country Offices are fully compliant with all policies and procedures related to Financial Management and all risk associated with this area are managed

· Implementation of global financial policies and procedures within the region

· Identifying key financial risks and reporting these to the Head of Business Resources and Solutions for inclusion in the Regional Risk Register. Recommending and implementing mitigating actions to address key financial risks.

· Maintaining a high degree of awareness of the risk of fraud and necessary fraud prevention measures and ensuring that the global fraud policy and fraud incident reporting and investigation requirements are met

· Follow up of finance audit actions arising from Global Assurance audits and external audits with finance teams to ensure actions are completed and have the desired control impact

· Implementation and accurate use of global finance systems within the region

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours, Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

· Demonstrable knowledge of critical finance areas, e.g. control, reporting, treasury, accounting, etc.

· Knowledge and understanding of the development sector.

· Demonstrable expertise in financial management, leadership and analysis

· Knowledge of current key donor requirements.

Skills

· Strong leadership and management skills

· Strategic Analytical skills

· Communication skills, appropriate to the audience

· Problem solving

· Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment

· Strong team-building and motivational skills

· Strong negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills

· Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet

· Attention to detail

Qualifications

· Relevant professional qualifications

· Proven senior finance experience at a regional/ multi-country level, ideally within the development or humanitarian sectors.

· Demonstrate experience in areas outlined in Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour above

Behaviours (Plan International’s Values in Practice)

We are open and accountable

· Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

· Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

· Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

· Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

· Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

· Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

· Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

· Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long­term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

· Evidence based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

· Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

· Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

· Develops trusting and ‘win­win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

· Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

· Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

· Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

· Develops trusting and ‘win­win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

· Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment and Demands:

· The position is based at the regional office which is a typical office environment.

· It requires significant travel to international meetings and to country operations, which may account for 25% of working time.

· Country visits will usually involve on-site/field visits to locations which may be remote, provide rudimentary facilities or be physically challenging in other ways.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

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