Overview

Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that designs, funds, and operates economic development programmes to achieve its vision of a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Over the next decade, our goal is to create maximum impact towards three critical missions:

1. Empowering the next generation: Our education mission is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to access a high-quality, affordable education, and become productive citizens of a rapidly-changing world.
2. Eliminating barriers to employment and productivity: Our productivity mission is to identify and eliminate health, financial, and structural barriers to employment and productivity for working people.
3. Solving water scarcity: Our water mission is to ensure that people and communities across Africa have access to a safe and affordable source of water.

We are a diverse, multicultural, and passionate organization, with over 450 employees in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Somaliland. Our headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya, and we have a liaison office in London, UK, which is home to our parent organization, Pharo Management.

Opportunity

The Head of Finance and Administration is a senior leadership role within the Pharo Foundation Somaliland. The position will be based in Hargeisa, Somaliland with regular travel to program regions within the country once these are established. Reporting to the Country Director in Somaliland, this well-remunerated role will give the right candidate an excellent mix of challenges, motivation, and fulfillment.

Working closely with the CFO and Group Finance team, the Head of Finance and Administration will be responsible for providing the highest in-country direction, oversight, and management of all finance and administrative aspects in the program office.

The role presents a wonderful opportunity for a genuinely driven, curious, and passionate individual who desires to affect real change. A confident individual who takes a dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking approach to their work, who respects and understands local cultures and values and yet embraces and can work within international work ethics and standards.

Key relationships

Role:                                                                              Head of Finance and Administration Somaliland

Location:                                                                       Hargeisa, Somaliland

Reporting to:                                                                Country Director Somaliland

Functional reporting line:                                            Chief Financial Officer

Direct Reports:                                                            Finance Team

Procurement and Logistics Manager

Functional relationships:                                           Head of Education

Head of Water

Head of Health

Agriculture Manager

HR Manager

Pharo Schools Finance and Administration Teams

Group Finance Team

Duties and responsibilities

General

• Manage and take overall responsibility for core financial, administrative, logistical, and procurement functions of the programs.
• Provide leadership and direct line management to the department team.
• Assist the Country Director (CD) to ensure that there is a robust internal control environment; policies and procedures that safeguard the assets of the Foundation, and that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Foundation.
• While respecting their autonomy and independence, effectively engage with, support, and monitor partner agencies, who will have the primary role of implementing the programs.
• Comply with other relevant financial policies and procedures as they are developed internally and those specific to Somaliland.
• Any other duties as agreed with the CD.

Finance and Accounting

• Prepare timely financial reports for the programs and country offices per the Foundation’s guidelines and submit them to the Head Office.
• Manage accurate monthly balance sheet reconciliations and oversee intercompany account balances and reconciliation with the Head office.
• Review and authorise monthly accounting transactions, including journal entries, accruals, and prepayments.
• Lead budget planning, monitoring, and reporting for all country offices and programmatic units. Assist the CD in managing both administrative and program budgets.
• Collaborate with the CFO to establish robust management systems and internal controls and conduct periodic reviews across the Foundation.
• Oversee the enhancement and regular review of financial systems and procedures in alignment with the Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Manage optimal cash flow to ensure uninterrupted program operations and work in tandem with Program Managers to facilitate sound financial planning and interpretation of program accounts.
• Coordinate budget development for new proposals in collaboration with the CD and Head Office.
• Escalate and discuss unclear financial matters with the CD/CFO for clarity or decisive action.
• Organize and facilitate annual audits in coordination with the Head Office.
• Stay updated on regulatory and legal changes pertaining to finance, tax, and other relevant domains, alerting the CD about significant developments affecting the Foundation’s operations in Somaliland.

Administration, Procurement and Logistics

• Ensure the programs receive efficient, effective, timely administrative and logistical
• Regularly update the office procedures manual and ensure the provisions are implemented
• Ensure that best practice has been followed in the procurement of all materials and services.
• Protect and safeguard the Foundation’s assets through proper safety, insurance, security, and other procedures.
• Maintain comprehensive asset registers for the Foundation and each program.

Auditing and compliance

• Organise and manage annual audits in liaison with the Country Director, the CFO and the Group Finance team.
• Ensure timely filing of statutory taxes, PAYE, and other local regulatory returns.
• Keep abreast of developments in the regulatory and legal environment related to financial taxation, labour, and other relevant matters and bring any major developments to the leadership team’s attention.
• Verify assets and liabilities by comparing documentation, the books and physical presence.
• Ensure compliance with established internal control procedures by examining records, reports, operating practices, and documentation.
• Support external auditors during the statutory/annual audit process.

Management and Leadership

• Manage direct reports in the Country Finance Department.
• Ensure sufficient capacity and effective allocation of tasks to execute all tasks on time and accurately.
• Follow the annual performance management cycle and identify areas of strengths and development areas for all direct reports.

Qualifications and requirements

• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, with at least five (5) years in leadership positions, preferably in a multicultural, international setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferable.
• Professional certifications such as ACCA, CPA, or CIMA are highly regarded.
• Proficiency in accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, etc.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated with the ability to multi-task, handle pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills with experience in engaging with senior-level peers.
• Proven track record supervising diverse teams across both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, spanning wide geographies.
• Deep understanding of Africa, especially East Africa, and its unique cultural and developmental nuances.
• Genuine passion for the Foundation’s vision and mission, with adeptness in promoting and communicating its core values to various stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25% of the time for on-site leadership and engagements.

Personal attributes

• Proven experience in establishing a financial department of excellence.
• Meticulous attention to detail, complemented by a versatile work approach.
• Proactive problem-solver with a hands-on, results-driven attitude.
• Upholds high professional and ethical standards.
• Systematic and process-driven mindset.
• Eager to learn, proactive in seeking clarity, and unafraid to raise queries.
• Exceptional management skills, capable of leading and inspiring a diverse team.

• Adept at balancing local cultural sensibilities with international work standards.
• Innovative thinker known for strategic growth and implementing best practices.
• Confident, self-driven communicator with a passion for excellence.
• Embodies values of integrity, resilience, and accountability.
• Anticipates potential financial challenges and proactively plans for resolutions.

Application procedure

The application deadline is October 25, 2023.

Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received, and only complete applications will be considered.   Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only contact shortlisted candidates.

Application Requirement

• A detailed CV and cover letter. In your letter, please state where you heard about this position or saw it advertised (g., website, LinkedIn, etc.).
• An essay of no more than 1,000 words outlining:
  • What education and operational experience have you gained that would make you the most qualified candidate for this role?
  • What is your plan and/or experience in transforming organisations into high performing players in the market? Provide examples from your experiences.
• A one-page list of six references with current addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts (the list should contain at least 2 peers, 2 direct reports and 2 former supervisors).
• APPLY NOW