The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Finance Manager

Role Purpose

To enable the successful delivery of the EU-Funded Zantchito- Skills for Jobs project Technical Assistance (TA) component through effective financial leadership, management, and co-ordination in line with client, corporate and project quality, controls and compliance standards and ensuring achievement of targets, maximisation of outcomes and appropriate return on investment.

The purpose requires a dynamic, competent individual with experience of successfully leading the finance function of a multi-year, multi-million GBP project, demonstrating financial rigour, operational effectiveness, and robust safeguarding of project financial health.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

• Provide input into strategic project planning and advice to support decision -making
• Lead on monthly monitoring and reconciliation of project/contract budgets – forecasting, cash flow, reporting and analysis to ensure accurate, timely and complete financial management of the project/contract budget
• Provide assurance on efficiency, effectiveness and robustness of proportionate and appropriate financial risk management measures.
• Ensure all systems and documents developed are in full compliance with British Council corporate standards and country legal and financial requirements.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in comparable role(s) working on donor funded development projects.in international organisation
• Direct experience of applying financial controls and procedures within complex operating environments to meet robust standards.
• Ability to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way to support non-financial managers to deliver against financial performance indicators
• Experience of working with diverse team or group of stakeholders in multiple locations.
• Ability to trouble shoot on financial challenges
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Management
• Financial Reporting and Compliance
• Project Financial Management (Processes and Systems)
• Financial Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting
• Financial analysis and Business performance management
• Financial risk identification and mitigation
• Contract management
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Leadership and interpersonal skills

Minimum requirements:

• A university degree in Finance, Accounting, or similar discipline.
• Qualified accountant – ACCA, CPA or CFA – with at least 5 years post-qualification experience
• Experience of an ERP system (SAP preferably)

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree in Finance, Accounting
• Experience of financial management of EU contracts.

Further Information

• Pay Band – BRC-6-F
• Salary:MWK 1,547,393.00 plus benefits
• Contract Type – Two (2) Year Fixed Term Contract
• Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
• Language requirements: Proficient in written and spoken English

• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Some out of hours work and travel (local and abroad) may be required.
• Closing Date – 4 May 2023 applications will close 23:59 South Africa Time

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

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