Director of Finance and Operations February 2024
About ESSA ESSA (Education Sub Saharan Africa) improves education using evidence
Vision
and data from Africa in research, advocacy and programme design.
High-quality education in sub-Saharan Africa enables young people to
We do not know: Where young people go after they leave college or
achieve their ambitions and strengthens society.
university, the number of university and college staff and academics
We take a systems approach by identifying challenges and co-designing
needed to educate students, and how COVID-19 has impacted the financial
solutions in partnership with local education researchers, higher education
Mission
strength of universities and colleges and their ability to teach. This leads to
leaders, policymakers, funders and employers to improve education
Our mission starts by working with universities and colleges: using evidence
low, badly targeted investment. We want to change this.
outcomes for young people. Our research generates actionable insights that
to drive a dramatic improvement in education for young people.
Our Approach
inform decisions, policies and practice and strengthen education systems.
Why We Do Our Work
1. We conduct research in partnership with universities, employers and
In relation to its geographic focus, whilst the relevance of its work
The potential of young people in sub-Saharan Africa: By 2050, Africa’s
policymakers to understand the significant systemic challenges within
applies across the continent, its main country focus is around Ghana and
young population will increase by nearly 50%, and 450 million workers
African education. It serves as our guiding principle, directing us toward
Kenya in particular.
are projected to join the workforce in the next decade. Quality education and jobs for the world’s largest youth population could lift millions from
ESSA, a not-for-profit organization is registered both in the UK and in
poverty and strengthen societies globally. But without these opportunities,
Ghana and has a team and board members in Kenya, Senegal, Togo, Uganda
the world faces the risk of migration and unrest.
and Germany. The diverse team of professionals has the expertise to
sustainable change. 2. We collaborate with like-minded partners, using evidence from Africa to understand the data required for improving education outcomes. 3. We engage in collaborative education research; we bridge data and evidence gaps, contributing to a strong base of evidence to inform
think differently combining high quality educational research with a focus
Filling the knowledge gap: Decisions should be taken based on evidence
on working in partnership and advocacy for evidence-based solutions.
to maximise scarce resources and improve young people’s lives. Yet, there
the organisation is looking for the opportunity to have more of its core
are big gaps in data and evidence about education for young people and its
and higher education leaders to co-create solutions and advocate, using
management team based in Ghana / East Africa and this recruitment
relevance for work.
evidence, for improved education outcomes for young people in Africa.
process should be seen in that light.
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Director of Finance and Operations
decision-making processes. 4. We bring together educators, education researchers, policy makers,
The Role Role:
Director of Finance and Operations
Location:
Accra, Ghana/London, UK
Salary:
Competitive
Job Summary General objective of the job The Director of Finance and Operations shall be responsible for providing relevant financial and accounting, planning and administrative information, insights and outputs to high professional standards. The Director of Finance and Operations shall proactively embed processes that ensure this information is relevant and drives good decision-making at all levels. This is a strategic role, critical to enabling this small and growing organisation to achieve organisational effectiveness, resilience and control. The Director of Finance and Operations will also support the Chief Executive in all board reporting. The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible to the Chief Executive and is a critical member of the Senior Leadership team, contributing to the overall running of the organisation.
Director of Finance and Operations
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Responsibilities Policy
• To produce the draft annual operating plan for review by the
To anticipate and contribute to the development of required and
Chief Executive and other members of management, and
appropriate policy formulation; and to ensure timely review and
subsequent presentation to the board.
approval arrangements. To frame for approval policy and associated
• To plan the updating of annual and longer-term operating plans.
practice specifically to do with financial and management accounting
• To plan the audit process in collaboration with external auditors
procedures, authorities & approvals. To provide guidance for and
and members of the Risk & Audit committee, leading to timely
drive implementation of for essential administrative processes
approval of the report & accounts by the Board.
across the organisation.
Operations Compliance To ensure that ESSA is statutorily compliant with its obligations to the Charities Commission, Companies House, the Information Commissioner, regulatory audit organizations in Ghana and any other legal requirements.
• To ensure that staff across the charity receive quality support and tools to deliver our organisational objectives. • Work together with the Finance Assistant, Finance Officer, HR and Operations Manager and Admin Assistant to ensure smooth running of all office operations. • Effectively manage relationships with service providers (e.g.
Advice
office, legal, accountancy)
To advise the Chief Executive regularly on all aspects of financial
• IT systems and facilities oversight including needs for homeworking.
and management control, in particular in respect of performance
• Oversight of any offices set up in other countries.
against plan, so as to provide timely insight for well-founded management decisions.
Human Resources • Work with the HR and Operations Manager to recruit and onboard
To advise other employees, consultants and contractors of
new staff and contracting of external consultants.
the implications for appropriate action derived from detailed
• Lead on salary structure, benefits and policies reviews as required.
understanding of all operations.
• Lead on other human resource processes as required.
Planning
Authorities
• To prepare the planning cycle for approval by the Chief Executive
As per the current authorities & approvals schedule.
and to lead the co-ordination of the planning process. To interpret all operational plans in management accounting terms, including cash forecasting.
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Director of Finance and Operations
Main Executive Tasks In fulfilment of the overall responsibility of the job, the Director of Finance and Operations will undertake, amongst other duties: • The effective provision of all financial and management accounting activity to ensure
• Preparation and updating of all relevant board papers. • Supporting and servicing the needs of the Risk and Audit Committee. • Preparing the Schedule of Risks for the Chief
satisfactory control, treasury management and
Executive, Risk and Audit Committee and
insightful provision of management information
subsequent Board approval.
across the organisation. • Control, including cost control, measures sufficient for continuous reassurance to the Chief Executive, Risk and Audit Committee and Board of Trustees. • Timely preparation and issuance of
• Management and motivation of all employees in relation to own functional leadership, and supervision of any direct reports. • Oversight of relevant, cost effective bought-in services, e.g. legal, audit, HR. • Providing appropriate functional guidance
monthly and ad hoc management reporting
and direction to other employees, consultants
on all required aspects of operational
and contractors.
performance, including variance analysis and
• Delegated project activity.
recommendations for action.
• Ensuring effective HR processes.
• Oversight of the financial implications of all funding (and potential) relationships, contribution to funding pitches and appropriate
• Management of all operations. • Acting on behalf of the Chief Executive as may be required.
representative engagement on behalf of the Chief Executive.
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Candidate Profile Qualifications
• Experience in framing for approval policy and associated practice
• Qualified finance professional (recognized accounting
specifically to do with financial and management accounting
qualification suggested) with experience of operating in a global and complex organisation. CPA or equivalent degree (CA, MBA,
procedures, authorities & approvals. • An understanding of requirements and expectations of
ACMA, ACCA) strongly recommended (Chartered Accountant
organizations like the Charities Commission, Companies House,
(CPA, ACMA, ACA, ACCA) required.
the Information Commissioner and any other legal requirements.
• Recommended a minimum of 10 years management experience in an INGO environment, of which 5 years at a management
Required Skills and Competencies
level within the finance and operations department of an
• Demonstrated credibility with colleagues and stakeholders at
international organization.
all levels of an organization (Board, Operations, Finance, Human
• Proven experience in anticipating and contributing to the development of required and appropriate policy formulation
Resources, Supply Chain etc) • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead a multi-
while ensuring timely review and approval arrangements.
disciplinary team.
• Experience in providing strategic advice to senior management
• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate
regularly on all aspects of financial and management control for
qualified professional staff with diverse backgrounds and values.
better decision making. • Experience of managing direct reports, consultants and contractors for appropriate decisions and actions across the operations. • Excellent understanding of business and financial planning including strategic modelling. • Excellent analytical skills – the ability to analyse complex financial
•
Ability to drive change and high performance, as well as identify and provide solutions which benefit the organisation.
• An independent worker but also a team player; able to thrive in an internationally dispersed team; respectful of diversities and can demonstrate commitment to ESSA’s values.
data and design and produce effective management information
• Proactive, creative, service oriented and collaborative problem-
for organizational operations and plans beyond one jurisdiction.
solver who is decisive and confident about taking own initiative
• Sound understanding of compliance requirements of donors and charities and agencies including clarity of required compliance audits nationally and internationally.
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• High degree of accountability and commitment to excellence.
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Director of Finance and Operations
and able to meet tight deadlines. • Demonstrated abilities in MS Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
How to Apply All correspondence, at this stage, should be via
Selection Process
Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply”
All candidates will receive an update regarding
button on the job advert page, complete our online
their application after the closing date. We advise
application form, and submit your CV and cover
candidates to add the role email to their safe senders
letter as two different documents, which should be
list and regularly check their spam folder.
prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The cover letter should be
Equality Statement
no more than two pages long and explain why you
Equality and diversity are at the core of Education
are interested in this post and how your skills and
Sub-Saharan Africa’s values. Staff are expected
experience make you a good fit.
to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a
The document should be saved in PDF in the
variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is
following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-
valued and respected.
Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV022024-ESSA or Pat-Jones-CoverLetter-022024-ESSA.
Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the
Timeline
appointment process, need additional information,
Closing Date:
29th March 2024
or would like to have an informal discussion, please
First stage interviews:
TBC
email at fd-essa@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.
Final interviews:
TBC
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About Oxford HR Exceptional leaders can inspire change and propel purpose-led organisations towards reaching their world-changing goals. Finding such leaders can be a challenge; and yet their transition into leadership is vital to an organisations mission and success. Oxford HR is a global leadership consultancy dedicated to searching for and supporting remarkable leaders and teams in purpose-led organisations. We understand the nuances of purpose-led leadership because we’ve worked in organisations across the breadth of the sector ourselves. We’ve also worked with such organisations since 1995; so we appreciate just what benefits impactful people can bring.
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Director of Finance and Operations
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