Business Support Manager at Oxfam

Internal Job Grade: B2, Global
Contract type: 1 Year Fixed Term
Job Family: Finance & Business Support
Reporting to: Country Director
Staff reporting to this post: Finance Managers, Supply & Logistics Manager & ICT Officer
Annual Budget: The Oxfam Country Programme has a budget of over €40 million.

Job Purpose

• This is a key role on the Leadership Team and will provide financial and risk management service to Oxfam Country Office in Nigeria by developing business intelligence that supports program decisions and performance management.
• The job holder will provide strategic overview and management of Finance, Procurement & Logistics and Information Communication & Technology; leading on business process re-engineering initiatives that will ensure appropriate integration with user departments.
• The job holder will reinforce value for money criteria in close cooperation with the program and management units.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Performance Management & Business Intelligence:

• Steward performance management Lead business intelligence activities, performing proactive monitoring and analysis to drive strategic business decisions and continuous improvement activities
• Respond to informational requests from The Headquarters and the Regional Centre and be the main contact point for information for on all matters to do with programme support.

Financial Planning and Information Management:

• Lead the annual and periodical financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes to ensure efficiency and compliance with all organisational standards of management and accountability.
• Monitor grants and ensure compliance with all donor reporting requirements, including proposals, budgets and donor reporting liaising with donors and partner organizations.
• Provide direct support to Programme Managers and/or budget holders on all matters of finance specifically budget preparation, monitoring, control and reporting with a view to ensuring good financial standards is met.
• Assume a strategic overview of financial management systems across all programme/projects, taking note of changing external and internal environment in financial and economic conditions.

Grant Management and Donor Reporting:

• Ensure that the Finance team provides proactive response to the Programme Team in:
  • Departmental planning and budgeting (inc departmental operating plans, budgets, and (re)forecasting and analysis);
  • Cost recovery through proactive and aggressive recharging of core costs and key positions to restricted donor funding
  • Contributes to proposal development (for Grants and Tenders) and leading the development of detailed internal cost models and external budget / pricing proposals together with the Supply and Logistics Manager.
  • Manage restricted funds (e.g. EU/ECHO, UNHCR, DFID, SIDA, USAID/OFDA etc) in collaboration with Funding Coordinator to ensure best practice for compliance and financial reporting as required.

Procurement & Logistics:

• Supports the Supply and Logistics Manager in design and implementation of effective supply chain and logistics management strategies working with the Country Director with respect to identifying required interventions, and the resolution of attendant issues.
• Support the team to embed organisational systems, standards and structures into logistics & procurement functions, including strategic advice, clarity on policy, procedures and ways of working.
• Exercise cost efficiency through ensuring framework agreements are in place, and be part of procurement committee.

Information Technology:

• Ensure that IT strategy not only incorporates developing effective business solutions and services with the underlying infrastructure but that it underpins the delivery of appropriate technology enabled solutions.
• Ensure continuous follow up to IT process and day-by-day operation that complies with Oxfam minimum standards and policies; promote best practise.

Risk Management:

• Conduct regular effective risk analysis (i.e. variance analysis, trends) and reviews for the office, ensuring proper financial and operational controls are in place.
• Oversee periodic sample check of country office and field offices documents to ensure that audit trails are in place
• Create strategies to mitigate financial and operational risk, working closely with Compliance Manager and Country Director
• Ensure compliance with Oxfam financial procedures and policies, including financial risk management, money laundering, value for money etc. and reduce risks associated with the programme around legality and compliance issues and alert the Country Director of any imminent risks.
• Leadership, Coordination and Capacity Building:
• Support a climate of continuous professional improvement in business support identifying key gaps and training opportunities for staff.
• Promote and shape the One Oxfam culture by facilitating spaces of participation and contribution across the various programs and support functions.

Educational, Experience & Competence
Essential:

• Masters Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or closely related field i.e. in the areas of Project Management, Social Sciences or a combined professional qualification.
• Full professional qualification in accountancy (e.g. CA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CPA)
• Minimum of 10 years “hands-on” working experience in providing a whole range of financial services within a structured organisation, 5 years of which must be at strategic level in an INGO program work, including field experience and/or with institutional donors
• Proven ability to interpret financial procedures and standards and put them into practice and influence others in their implementation
• Experience managing humanitarian, campaign as well long term program budgets of over €40 million and reporting to relevant donors.
• Proven success of developing innovative solutions to resolve intricate problems that impact critical areas of an organisation’s work and ensuring the development of standards, procedures and practices to secure a stable and effective systems environment
• Ability to identify and plan for future needs; develop and disseminate best practices
• Critical focus on providing a superior service level to managers and colleagues and delivering agreed results within time and budget constraints and to expected standards
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and report writing skills
• Strong analytical skills and experience using a computerised information management system (Ms. Word, Excel, Accounting/Statistical analysis software etc.)
• Good leadership skills: experience of working in a supervisory position with a team structure
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a dispersed, multi-disciplined, multicultural team
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, and analytical thinking with the ability to convey complex information in a straightforward, interesting way, and influencing this to a wider audience
• Ability to represent Oxfam in a professional and competent manner with external individuals and organisations
• A high level of self-awareness, personal energy, stamina and flexibility.
• Proven experience as a team worker and demonstrably cooperative with members of other teams, responding quickly and accurately to queries and issues
• Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting women’s rights and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work
• Knowledge or appreciation of Nigeria in terms of its political, economic and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and / or experience of common Oxfam norms objects, standards and tools