{"id":5691,"date":"2025-10-09T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T10:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/job\/head-of-finance-at-save-the-children\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T00:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T00:14:12","slug":"head-of-finance-at-save-the-children","status":"expired","type":"job_listing","link":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/?post_type=job_listing&p=5691","title":{"rendered":"Head of Finance at Save the Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Job Description
\nJOB TITLE: Head of Finance
\nTEAM\/PROGRAMME: Zambia Country Office Senior Management Teamm
\nLOCATION: Lusaka, Zambia
\nGRADE: NAT 1
\nPOST TYPE: 2 years fixed term, renewable
\nSafeguarding:
\nSave the Children does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse, or harassment against any person. It is the responsibility of all employees and representatives to protect all people who come in contact with our organization. Save the Children commits to applying the same standards to all its employees and subject them to the same processes regardless of their position, influence, or reputation within or outside of the organization.
\nDiversity, Equity & Inclusion
\nSave the Children International\u2019s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity.
\nROLE PURPOSE:
\nAs a member of the Senior Management Team (SLT) in Zambia the Head of Finance shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO). The Head of Finance in his\/her capacity is responsible for finance administration, fiscal management, financial and grant reporting in both emergency and development programming contexts.
\nSCOPE OF ROLE:
\nReports to: Country Director
\nDotted reporting line to
\nStaff directly reporting to this post: 2
\nDirect: Finance Manager, and Finance Coordinator
\nIndirect: Support Service Coordinator; Budgeting and Partnership Officer; Finance Officer.
\nBudget Responsibilities: $9.2m
\nRole Dimensions: Partners Finance Leads, Bank Relationships Manager; Regional Finance Director; Regional Financial Planning and Analysis lead; Regional Control and Compliance Lead
\nKEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
\nAs a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to:
\nLeadership of the Zambia Country Office.
\nSupport the development of an organizational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors
\nHelp design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to program needs
\nHelp establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, partner agencies including humanitarian and development donors, and local and international NGOs
\nEnsure Zambia Country Office complies with all Save the Children\u2019s Quality Framework Essential Standards and Standard Operating Procedures
\nEnsure that all required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Regional Office
\nPlanning and Budgeting
\nAssist the Country Director (CD) in the management \/administration of the Country Office resources and its sub-office(s) including
\n(a) The formulation of country work program and resource allocation,
\n(b) Providing effective support and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team and other key program staff during planning and allocation exercises;
\n(c) Monitoring implementation of donor agreements and resource utilization. Highlight variances, provide analyses and recommend resolution or reallocation of resources
\nWork along with the SLT in developing plans to meet funding and programming needs. This includes diversification of funding resources
\nIdentify and effectively manage all key risks, especially financial, related to delivering the Country Office program. Develop mitigation plans at proposal stage
\nEnsure correct level of budget authority exists within Country Office
\nManage financial aspects of budget development for new proposals
\nEnsure appropriate and adequate emergency finance and grants procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up
\nEnsure budget holders understand their responsibilities (e.g., through training)
\nEnsure sub-office(s) receive adequate support to operate efficient accounting systems, including timely receipt of monthly budget variance analysis by budget holders, timely answers to queries and scheduling tasks and deadlines
\nFinancial Accounting, Reporting, and Control
\nManage the Country Office financial systems and provide the SLT and all budget holders a monthly update on the budget variance analysis
\nEnsure with the SLT that systems are in place for the control of all assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities; submit timely financial reports to Centre, Regional Office and donors as required
\nEnsure that effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control including:
\nAnnual accounts and tax statement preparation;
\nAccounting and management information systems;
\nCash and cash flow management and control in particular gain\/losses on currency exchange;
\nFinancial procedures during emergency responses, including meeting all relevant responsibilities in the Rules and Principles for Emergency Response;
\nExpenditure procedures, especially around procurement;
\nDocumentation of all controls and procedures;
\nFinance training for staff in the field and partners as necessary;
\nAvailability of funds for sub-office(s) and the Country Office
\nMonitor accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to members, donors and government regulatory agencies
\nEnsure quarterly effort reporting is prepared with major variances discussed with Regional Office and Centre
\nCoordinate submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolutions or action plans
\nLead and participate in the development of finance policies and procedures to be able to maintain a well-financially controlled environment in both development and emergency contexts
\nCoordinate and assist CD during any internal or external audits
\nEnsure monthly financial reviews (MFRs) are prepared, reviewed with SLT, and submitted to Regional Office regularly
\nFinance & Awards Reporting
\nMonitor completion of financial reports for grants\/contracts. Ensure proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from sub-office(s) and partners
\nProvide guidance to finance and non-finance staff and coordinate efforts to ensure compliance with donor agreement requirements and conditions. Work with budget holders to estimate funds request on a timely basis to ensure resources are in place for carrying project activities ;and that reporting requirements and deliverables are met
\nEnsure Country Office treasury operations are adequately managed
\nEnsure that donor financial reports are align with donors requirement
\nPrepare monthly financial and analytical report and ensure submission of all required reports with RO
\nPrepare audited financial statements after the year end organize all statutory and donors audit as per set time frames
\nStaff Management, Mentorship, and Development \u2013 Finance
\nResponsible for appropriate staffing within Finance
\nResponsible for making sure all Finance staff understand and are able to perform their roles in an emergency
\nManage Finance and Support Services team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical supports needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
\nResponsible for the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff;
\nManage the performance of all staff in the Finance and Support Services work area through staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems. Establish result based system and follow up
\nDevelop staff through the following methods
\nEffective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
\nCoaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
\nRecognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
\nDocumentation of performance that is at standard and above and less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements\/work plans
\nRisk Management
\nProduce Quarterly Risk Management Register in consultation with SLT in accordance with the SCI Quality Framework Essential Standards
\nUndertake the financial risk assessments of all new partners and monitoring of on-going risk in coordination with SLT
\nSupport CD and SLT in keeping analysis of the internal and external risks and threats and appropriate mitigation measures up to date
\nSKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
\nAccountability:
\nBe accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
\nHolds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities \u2013 giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
\nAmbition:
\nSets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
\nWidely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
\nFuture orientated, thinks strategically.
\nCollaboration:
\nBuilds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
\nValues diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
\nApproachable, good listener, easy to talk to
\nCreativity:
\nDevelops and encourages new and innovative solutions
\nWilling to take disciplined risks
\nIntegrity:
\nHonest, encourages openness and transparency
\nQUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
\nQualified finance professional preferred (recognized accounting qualification such as CIMA, ACCA, CPA) with experience of operating in a global and complex organization
\nRecommended a minimum of 10 years senior management experience in an International NGO environment, including experience in the development of strategic and operational support services plans and their implementation in a professional work environment over a sustained period of time
\nAbility to plan and organize a substantial workload that includes complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities in both development and emergency contexts
\nWillingness and ability to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
\nDemonstrated credibility with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of an organization
\nExcellent oral and written communication skills in English
\nStrong interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate skills in leading a multi- disciplined team through a period of change
\nLeadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate qualified professional staff with strong personal value systems
\nAnalytical, decision making and strategic planning skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities
\nAbility to coach, mentor, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to supervised staff
\nTeam building skills
\nCompetent level skills in core IT applications, particularly MS Office
\nA commitment to the values and principles of SC
\nExperience working to developing countries
\nHigh level of commitment to the principles of development and to the organizational and programmatic goals of Save the Children
\nAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
\nQUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.
\nThe closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 22nd October 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
\nSave the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.
\nSave the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, colour, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter
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