Purpose of job:
Lead the development and implementation of the programme financial strategy, ensuring high standards of financial management across all programme areasThe Finance and Administration Manager will lead, manage and co-ordinate all aspects of the Programme’s finance and administration functions, ensuring control and compliance in line with client, corporate and programme quality standards. S/he will ensure that value for money is enshrined across the Programme and with its partners, and above all will promote transparency and integrity in CSEPS’ dealings with its stakeholders, modelling and advocating best practice at all times.

Context and environment:
The Citizen-State Engagement Programme for Sudan (CSEPS) is a 42 month, £7m DFID-funded programme, managed by the British Council.  The programme aims to contribute to strengthened citizen-state relationships and citizen-citizen relationships in areas targeted.  At the outcome level, CSEPS aims to contribute to a critical mass of diverse civil society actors with improved capability to lead shared discourse and vision for a more equitable, peaceful and inclusive Sudan and to engage with other key stakeholders to work towards this vision through practical collaboration on issues which matter to people locally.  The programme will deliver support against five output areas: Output 1: Civil society’s capability to shape and lead by example is supported (delivered through grants and direct or indirect capacity building) Output 2: Joint civil society-Local Authority action on governance issues is supported (delivered through strategic investment and technical support) Output 3: Constituency confidence building (especially women and youth) supported (delivered through design and delivery of projects) Output 4: Media and communications focus on civil society issues supported (delivered through programme facilitation) Output 5: Knowledge, and learning (delivered through relevant communications and research partners in the form of grants or contracts) The post holder will be located in the project management office in Khartoum and will undertake regular travel to the Programme’s selected locations.

Accountabilities:
• Accountable for the management and reporting of all CSEPS finances in line with international best practices, and corporate, client and programme quality standards and for delivering on value for money

• Accountable for ensuring that financial forecasts and budgets are accurately and realistically calculated and managed effectively, ensuring programme expenditure and income projections are realised

• Accountable for ensuring timely and effective financial support services to the Programme Team, to facilitate efficient, effective programme delivery across Sudan.

Responsibilities & Duties:
1      Financial systems and controls:
· Financial systems and processes effectively aid operational programme delivery and are compliant with client Head Contract requirements and corporate British Council standards.
· Financial policies and guidelines are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to support operational requirements and meet both external and internal standards.
· Maintain an effective & efficient system of internal controls which comply with British Council’s corporate standards.
· Ensure that all financial records & accounts are compiled timely, accurately and in line with international accounting standards & donor regulations.
·Undertake approval of expenditure and procurement in line with the Head Contract and British Council policies.
2      Financial planning & Reporting:
• Detailed annual and quarterly programme budgets are prepared in line with Head Contract requirements; multi-annual planning budgets are revised to accommodate contractual changes.
• Annual financial targets for operational expenditure, management income, management expenses and staff costs are met;
• Consolidation and review of budgets undertaken periodically.
• Consolidation of cash flow forecasting for the programme undertaken appropriately.
• Preparation of twice yearly financial reports; Client reporting formats and conditions complied with and internal corporate financial processes are undertaken on time and to standards specified.
• Ensures internal audit receives a ‘satisfactory’ rating at minimum; facilitates and leads CSEPS team preparation for external audits; leads CSEPS management response to audit recommendations.
• Audited accounts summary prepared in sufficient time for presentation in Annual Report and for presentation to Programme Governance bodies.
• Ad-hoc periodic reports for budget holders, senior management and donors prepared to standards required.
• Value for money analysis is undertaken regularly and reported on to SMT, the British Council and to the client.
3     Grants and Contracts Management:
• Quality assure all contracts and agreements for the provision of goods and services to the programme and develop mechanisms to monitor and manage contractual compliance.
• Establishment of an effective Grants Financial Management process, consistent policies and procedures responsible for driving quality standards in grant-making, grant-management and contract management.
• Periodically revise Standard Operating Procedures and Manuals and deliver training in its implementation; monitor effective use of system by all staff.
• Oversight of development of integrated tools and mechanisms for due diligence assessments of proposed grantees to assess their ability to manage grants and to identify where CSEPS can provide support and capacity to manage grant funds;
• Oversee work with grantees to revise their budgets (if required) to ensure that they are realistic, legally and contextually appropriate, and value for money (vfm).
• Supervise all grant agreements and contracts and ensure that staff and grantee personnel understand all clauses of the contract;
• Establish & maintain a mechanism for monitoring those grants given to sub-contractors, and ensure proper financial reporting & records of same, in line with donor guidelines, where necessary. Develop and implement control and compliance strategy.
• Lead on grantees’ financial capacity development strategy; develop recommendations for support and undertake some hands-on training of CSOs.
• Ensuring programme-wide compliance with British Council financial management, contract management, procurement and other key standards and policies.   
4      Risk Management:
• Establish and safeguard standard operating frameworks to ensure that the British Council duty of care is effectively discharged and risks to British Council staff and property, programme personnel and visitors are minimised and managed. 
• Develop detailed and fully tested and communicated programme continuity and disaster recovery plans.
• Ensure corporate Financial Control and Compliance Framework (FCCF) and Enterprise and Risk Management Framework (ERMF) are followed and meetings are held in line with the corporate  standard and schedule.
• Process owners understand the framework requirements and report risk adequately and effectively.
• Ensure minutes of meetings meet corporate standards.
• Supervise coaching and mentoring of process owners and ensure that appropriate trainings are held at the right time.
5. Teams Management & Support:
• Support the CSEPS team through effective delegation, support and follow up, to ensure that key financial processes are carried out timely, effectively, and in line with CSEPS, British Council and donor policies and standards.
• Support the CSEPS Grants team with effective grants management and monitoring, including negotiating, monitoring and evaluation of award budgets and expense reconciliation.
• Maintains motivated and effective teams through high quality line management, including through the CSEPS performance management mechanisms and through encouragement of professional development of his/her team.
• Leads on recruitment for administrative and support staff, including post design, and candidate selection.
• Induction and training of new finance and grants staff conducted to Programme standards.
• Provides key financial support, training and advice to non-finance team members.


 Important relationships (internal and external):
Internal: CSEPS Team Leader; CSEPS programme team; BC Country Director Sudan & Director Programmes; BC Regional Governance and Civil Society portfolio lead, BC Regional Finance Team
External: External relationship management linked to function of role; to include client and donors, consultants, external partner organisations, etc.

Other features or requirements:
The job involves periodic travel outside Khartoum (the programme will work across Sudan).

Person Specification:
Behaviours for Interview:

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:
Financial management:
 · Demonstrable track record of planning and tracking performance and business modelling through the analysis and reporting of complex financial data.
· Experience of designing and managing financial management information and reporting systems.
· Ability to facilitate the preparation and consolidation of complex budgets and forecasts.
· Ability to interpret financial data and support non-financial managers to deliver against financial performance indicators  

Contract management:
· Ability to consistently apply best contracting and due diligence practice in a variety of situations and under time pressure;
· Ability to cope with ambiguity and changing circumstances - identifying opportunities and potential problems and formulating solutions and strategies to mitigate and manage risk.
Relationship Building and Influencing:
· Proven ability to work effectively with a diverse range of demanding stakeholders and of delivering results through third party partner organisations
Communication:
Excellent communication skills, including a very good knowledge (verbal and written) of Arabic and  English

Experience:
A minimum of five years’ experience in a comparable role(s).

Qualifications:
A university degree in Finance, Accounting or similar discipline.