Summary
Date Posted: Monday, December 05, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Head, Finance & Accounting, Rwanda
About Mastercard Foundation
Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy and Canadian EleV program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

The Work At The Foundation
We have entered a very exciting time at the Foundation as we scale up our operations across Africa to realize our Young Africa Works strategy. Our role at the Mastercard Foundation is to be a catalyst. Our Young Africa Works strategy focuses on working with others to spur systemic change so young people have the opportunity to find work that is dignified and fulfilling.

The Foundation has opened offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda, building a broader leadership presence in Africa to develop specific strategies that support youth employment. Within a country, we work with governments, the private sector, educators, young people, and other funders to improve the quality of education and vocational training, prepare young people for the work force, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and connect job seekers to dignified and fulfilling work.

We are ambitious and driven. Our values transcend and rise above everything else as our guide. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful.

Understanding Canada Programs At The Foundation
The Foundation has begun working within Canada in partnership with Indigenous communities and post-secondary institutions to listen, learn, and best understand how we can act in meaningful ways. The EleV strategy was co-created with Indigenous communities, young people, and partners to enable 30,000 Indigenous youth to complete their education and transition to dignified work aligned with their values and aspirations.

As reflected in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, education is a key driver of improved socio-economic well-being. Through building partnerships with Indigenous communities, we look to expand our initiative ultimately helping to support a generation of transformative Indigenous young leaders who will be change agents within their communities. We believe that by setting a bold target, we will encourage engagement across sectors and create momentum that will elevate the strengths and opportunities of Indigenous youth. In keeping with our approach, Indigenous communities and young people will be the drivers of this transformation. The program will promote innovations to address longer-term systemic change to achieve economic prosperity and social well-being within Indigenous communities.

The EleV team oversees current and emerging partnerships related to Indigenous education. Consistent with our overall vision and Youth Africa Works strategy, we will share learnings and opportunities to connect across the work of the Foundation. While operating in distinct contexts, the centrality of youth voice and vision, affirmation of culture and identity, and priority to enhance community capacity for self-determination are common threads upon which our work is strengthened and reinforced.

If you are an experienced Finance & Accounting professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

The Opportunity
Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance & Accounting – County Programs, the role will be responsible for serving as primary business partner, providing financial leadership and stewardship for all finance and accounting operations within the country. The role is responsible for financial management of all programs undertaken within the country and provides direction to finance and accounting teams, building the accounting, finance and operations infrastructure in Country as part of a multi-year growth strategy.

Ways You Can Contribute
• Responsible for the management of the full cycle of Finance program partner contracts, i.e. Expression of Interest (EOI), proposal, contract approval, conduct due diligence, budget reviews, program execution and monitoring, financial reviews and program completion for all programs within country scope.
• Guide and train external program partners on all financial aspects of contract execution, including budgeting and reporting, due diligence, financial controls and Canadian regulatory requirements.
• Provide financial expertise and advice internally to the Foundation’s Programs team on the development and implementation of comprehensive programming strategies.
• Provide ad-hoc data and support for learning and evaluation activities, including analysis of program outputs and value-for-money.
• Maintain accurate and timely financial documentation and data, and report on contract commitments, disbursements, spend and cash flow projections.
• Ensure the managements grants systems and project financial trackers are updated in a timely & Accurate manner with the correct financial information for each program.
• Ongoing monitoring & reporting on program financial performance post kick off (Deliver phase) to ensure foundation resources are deployed as envisaged and there is sufficient funding & financials controls in place to support the delivery of expected program outcomes as well as ensuring compliance to the CRA requirements on Books and records.
• Ensure there are adequate business controls with the programs to ensure the safeguarding of the foundation’s assets.
• Accountable for compliance with local and international financial regulations and requirements, e.g. Canada Revenue Agency standards, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws, etc. within programs.
• Provide periodic reporting on partner finance matters as determined by the partner contracts and ensure follow up actions’ items are closed as required.
• Troubleshooting and management of financial issues that arise during program implementation.
• Coordinate the close-out of partnerships after the end of the contract period.
• Perform & review due diligence procedures on partners & sub-contractors (i.e. evaluating financial statements, tax returns, financial capacity, watchlist screening) to safeguard the foundation against financial and operational risks as well as ensure alignment to CRA requirements.
• Assess alignment with charity law (i.e., private benefit and charitable purpose rules) in coordination with the Legal & Compliance teams.
• Lead comprehensive program assessment processes ensuring quality control of the plans (Accountable for the quality of the Due diligence assessment).
• Lead the assessment of the organization capacity together with the program finance teams especially as relate to the financials capacity of potential partners.
• Drive annual due diligence review process and updating yearly workplans with Programs teams and partners.
• Ensure programs comply with Canadian regulatory requirements (e.g., charitable purposes and private benefit), and international financial regulations (e.g. anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism laws etc), escalating to Legal and Compliance team as required.
• Lead the risk assessment of a programs together with the program finance teams within the various foundation frameworks to ensure the risks are correctly identified and risk mitigations are put in place and monitored to safeguard the foundation.
• Ensure that the partners have the right information to support decision making including but not limited to: Cash Forecasts, envelop disbursements and commitment outlook, Programmatic actual spend analysis.
• Play an advisory role in provision of information that enables the programs teams to make effective decisions.
• Provide monthly financial reporting and analysis to Head of Finance & Accounting, Region, Program leads and to the Country Head of Programs on program expenses, partner disbursements, cash flow projections, value for money, and other ad hoc reports as needed.
• Report status updates to Head F&A Africa/Region and providing ad-hoc support.
• Participate in the budgeting, planning & forecasting cycles of the foundation through the provision of financial information as maybe required.
• Responsible for ensuring the appropriate internal controls and financial procedures & policies within the Country are implemented and operating as intended together with the Accounting teams & Regional Head.
• Ensure that the Purchase to Pay cycle within the country is implemented and operating as designed and act as the first point of contact/customer service to country teams as required for matters pertaining to accounting.
• Provide support to the centralized accounting team in matters of tax accounting and ensure are appropriate processes are in place to ensure compliance to tax regulations together with the Foundation’s centralized accounting function.
• Provide support to the centralized accounting function for annual audits with independent auditors and regulatory agencies as required.
• Embed a risk management culture within the Country as well as manage local insurance coverage and policies and other risk mitigation protocols are in place together with the Country Head.
• General Operations, People Management & Stakeholder Management.
• Coordinate and manage implementation of operational activities within the Country/Country in partnership with The Head of Technology, Head of Security, Facilities & Travel, and other Operational functional heads to ensure smooth day-to-day operations on the ground.
• Lead and Manage program Finance teams and their works within the country.
• Coordinate with the rest of the Finance team provide relevant information and support for tax and audit procedures (e.g., tax filings, year-end closing, annual audit.
• Build, support and/or manage relationships with external parties such as vendors, banks, local tax authorities, payroll service providers and legal counsel.
• Engaging and cultivating relationships with partners to ensure good governance and partner the programs teams to enable the achievement of the intended strategic objectives/outcomes of the program.

Who You Are
• Degree or master’s degree in a related field is required.
• Member of a relevant professional body with relevant professional qualification; CPA, CA.
• At least 13-15 years in progressively senior financial roles within large and/or global organizations, with at least 10 years in a management capacity (Previous Finance Leadership experience).
• Experience sitting at the leadership table of a country organization.
• Experience interfacing and operating with senior executives in public, government and private sectors.
• Experience building capabilities and capacity of accounting and operations teams in high growth organizations.
• Basic Appreciation: Operate Accounting Systems, Generate Routine Accounting Records and Financial Reports.
• Working Knowledge:
• Determine and apply correct accounting treatments
• Able to Identify & Mitigate Operational, Financial and Business Risks
• Manage Operational Internal Control Systems, processes and Policies.
• Financial Processes & Accounting Operations Management
• Management & Financial Reporting including Financial Forecasting & Budgeting
• Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities in a fast-growing organization
• Ability to assess risks and exercise judgment in making important decisions (Risk Management & Internal Controls Management).
• Senior Partner management abilities: ability to influence senior executives internally and externally and manage the pressure of work.
• Ability to lead through complexity; lead enormous work volume, manage organizational risks and recommend appropriate decisions.
• Demonstrated initiative and drive towards innovative problem solving.
• Honed business partnership skills with Impeccable integrity.
• Ability to assess risks and exercise judgment in making important decisions.
• Ability to challenge and provide feedback in a constructive manner with the goal of improving efficiency and operational excellence.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8 12:00:00 AM Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/ ). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/

Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn  

All Jobs

QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION