SAVE THE CHILDREN ROLE PROFILE 1 Finance Co-ordinator TEAM/PROGRAMME: Finance LOCATION: Dadaab GRADE: 4 POST TYPE: National

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Finance Co-ordinator
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Finance LOCATION: Dadaab
GRADE:  4 POST TYPE: National
Child Safeguarding: 
Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access
to children or young people

ROLE PURPOSE:
The Finance Officer will support the Area Office in delivering the Finance teams’ objectives in a timely and
accurate manner.  Supervise the Finance Assistant and ensure that processing and reporting deadlines are
fully met; financial controls and procedures are strictly adhered to by all field office staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Area Programme Manager, with a technical reporting line to the Roving Finance Coordinator,
based in Nairobi

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to
children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through
local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health,
HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the
Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in
Kenya. In February 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO,
Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. Save the Children now has an
operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Nairobi, Turkana and Wajir.
We work through partners in many other parts of the country. We have a staff complement of around 300
staff and an operating annual budget of approximately US$25 million in 2014.

Staff directly reporting to this post: Finance Assistant

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

 Maintain robust and adequate financial internal control systems and cash management across the
field office in line with SCI Finance Manual, Awards management and good accounting practices.
 Ensure sufficient cash in the field office by producing monthly cash forecasts for the Office, sending
to Nairobi office and following-up to make sure cash is received in time.
 Process GLACOS spreadsheets after verifying their accuracy ensuring that data is submitted to
Nairobi office by the set deadline for processing in Agresso, preparing Field Office Monthly review
report for Review by Area Programme Manager
 Support the Area Manager and the Roving Finance Coordinator in the preparation and on-going
management of the field office Master Budget with potential gaps actively highlighted and included
in new proposals.
 Verify the accuracy, validity, legitimacy of all payments completeness of financial documents,
(purchase requests, work orders, pro forma invoices), proper coding and approval by responsible
managers before payments are made while ensuring SCI creditors are paid promptly. 
 Support budget holders in developing proposal budgets, as well as phasing of budgets for posting
into Agresso and provide support to budget holders in reviewing and understanding monthly
financial budget monitoring reports and follow up on any recommended action points. 
 Liaise with the Area Manager to schedule and take lead in planning and convening the monthly
finance and grants meetings in the field office ensuring relevant teams are included and action
points followed up.
 Induct new staff into financial policies and procedures applicable in the field offices while ensuring
that changes in policies are communicated to staff at all levels.
 In collaboration with the Field HR office, provide monthly information to Nairobi Financial Accounting
Officer for payroll preparation and on staff departing from SCI. 
 Work closely with the Awards team in ensuring donor compliance amongst the implementing
partners at the field level and that audit recommendations related to Field Finance and Awards are
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followed up & implemented in good time and field staff fully understand and comply with the
standard financial procedures

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development
Manage performance of direct reports in the work area through: 
 Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear,
measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
 Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
 Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
 Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance
improvements/ work plans.
 Build the capacity of staff to monitor/ manage grants and awards as well as understand and implement
compliance requirements from donors, Save the Children and/or the Government of Kenya.
 Maintain clear communication with both the functional (direct) line manager and the technical
manager to foster a smooth working relation under existing matrix structure.

COMPETENCIES
1. LEADING
 Delivering Results: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our
ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the
team/organisation.
 Developing Self and Others: Invests time and energy to actively develop self and others to
help realise their full potential, and to build the organisation’s capability for the future. 
 Leading and Inspiring Others: Demonstrates leadership in all our work, role models our
values and articulates a compelling vision to inspire others to achieve goals for our children.
2. THINKING
 Problem Solving and Decision Making: Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by
gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organisation and
making appropriate judgements. 
 Applying Technical Expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to
the highest standards, promotes and shares best practices within and outside the
organisation.
 Innovating and Adapting: Develops and implements innovative solutions to adapt and
succeed in an ever – changing, uncertain work and global environment.
3. ENGAGING

 Working Effectively with others: Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives
on diversity of people and perspectives. Knows when to lead and when to follow and how to
ensure effective cross- boundary working.
 Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage
and Influence, Promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building
confidence and trust with others.
 Networking: Builds and uses sustainable relationships and networks to support the work of
Save the Children.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
 Bachelors of Commerce degree in an area Finance or equivalent.
 Professional qualifications in Accounting (CPA II section finalist or ACCA II)
 Recommended a minimum of 3 years experience in Accounting/financial management; payroll,
purchase ledger, cash / bank reconciliation in an INGO
 Strong working computer skills especially in accounting packages
 Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and
coaching
 Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with
people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
 Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
 Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and
ensuring buy in
 Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
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 Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming
surge teams, in the event of emergencies
 Fluency in English, both verbal and written, preferred
 Commitment to Save the Children values

Date of issue:      2015         Author : DH