Job Description

1

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade's (DBT) Africa network. Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together sector, policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries.

You will join DBT Africa, a dynamic workforce of around 120 staff in nearly 18 countries, led by John Humphrey, HM Trade Commissioner, who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Africa is exciting and energising, with many of the fastest changing and growing markets on earth. The UK has a depth of historical relationships on the continent and is Africa's largest inward investor.

We are recruiting for a Head of Finance, who will oversee finances across 18 countries in the UK Department for Business and Trade's Africa Region, with an approximately xc2xa3.5.2 million budget and 120 person headcount.

The Head of Finance will be responsible and accountable for the day-to-day and overall financial management, analysis and reporting of all DBT Africa budget streams. You will have a critical role in supporting teams to deliver value for money in the pursuit of our objectives, utilise budgets effectively to deliver outcomes and ensure tight financial controls of resources and contracts to meet strategic priorities. In addition, you will have a lead responsibility on the preparation of monthly financial management information and business performance data, for senior leadership board meetings. You will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, in particular HM Trade Commissioner (who is ultimately accountable for the budget) and with senior leaders across the region, both Country and Sector Directors.

This person must have a finance background, experience of managing budgets across various teams and enjoy being accountable for the management and oversight of a budget.

Roles and responsibilities:

Financial & Budgetary Management:

• Be accountable and lead on all financial management of the DBT Africa delegated budget (around xc2xa35.2million) ensuring -/+1% forecast outturn against budget is reached on a yearly basis. Monitor day-to-day financial operations within the DBT Africa region through accurate forecasting and financial management.
• Accurately cost staff budgets, manage the budget and report on any variances, regularly reporting back to HQ (London) on our overall financial performance.
• Monitor non-staff budgets of the 18 Country Teams and 7 Sector teams, providing oversight, assurance and challenge as needed to ensure teams remain within budget and policy rules.

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

• Provide reassurance and challenge to teams through monthly discussions with London, monthly country audits and quarterly Country Directors and Sector Directors finance deep dives. Prepare Africa pay and non-pay budget (Business Plan) at various currencies, using both historically pegged and current exchange rates
• Provide challenge and support to the senior leadership team through financial reports and interpreting financial information to aid in long-term and short-term decision-making. This includes preparing, monitoring and reporting performance against the annual budget and any longer term financial plans and workforce planning.
• Lead the finance element of the yearly business planning process, ensuring the region secures the funding it needs to deliver its objectives.

Financial Policy, Guidance and Building Capability and Expertise:

• Ensure compliance with local and HQ accounting policies and regulatory requirements. Deliver financial training when required, including finance & procurement induction for new joiners and budget holders.
• Support all teams in the network to effectively manage financial resources and achieve value for money through proactively sharing information and best practice, and providing sound financial advice and help troubleshoot complex financial issues.
• Management of an Administration Coordinator to oversee their work supporting the region. They will support them to deliver on admin activities, finance, HR, event management, internal communications and information management.
• Deputise for the DBT Africa Chief Operating Officer on finance matters as needed and Support them on wider leadership team across an array of finance and non-finance areas.
• Be an active corporate member of DBT Africa.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line manage of 1 Administration Coordinator
• xc2xa35.2m core budget and xc2xa3240k Export Support Service budget (held in HQ)

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

• Tertiary Education with an Accounting/Auditing/Financial focus degree and/or undergraduate degree and financial/accounting professional qualification.
• Experience with Accounting Principles and Processes
• Experience of budget management and forecasting across multiple areas.
• Experience of month end reporting, analysing and presenting financial information.
• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in finance and/or accounting.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Attention to detail , with an ability to spot numerical errors
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to quickly grasp financial management reporting tools

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

• Effective project and time management skills.
• Problem-solving, strategic and analytical capabilities with an excellent record of delivering against measurable metrics and milestones.
• Works independently, Self-starting, proactive and persistence to lead and deliver activity
• Design automated reports through Quick Sights (not essential, internal training is available)

Required behaviours 1

Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing

Application deadline 1

17 January 2024

Grade 1

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position 1

Permanent

Working hours per week 1

36.5 hours

Region 1

Africa

Country/Territory 1

South Africa

Location (City) 1

Johannesburg

Type of Post 1

British High Commission

Number of vacancies 1

1

Salary 1

R 701,134.36 (per annum)

Start Date 1

1 March 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

You will have access to the full suite of the missions learning and development opportunities including the Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join the finance and trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. Our staff who demonstrate great leadership potential are encouraged to apply for the Emerging Leadership Programme.

Working patterns:

Flexible working is suitable on approval from Line Manager.

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

• Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 day
• Working hours per week of 36.5

Additional information 1

• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
• Obtain the relevant permit
• Pay fees for the permit
• Make arrangements to relocate
• Meet the costs to relocation
• The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so
• Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount
• Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link:

. Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5 * Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates

• Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve list'. If during the reserve period of 6/12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidatexe2x80x9d.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

HM Government