SAVE THE CHILDREN
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
JOB TITLE: Budget Coordinator
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Finance
LOCATION: Juba with occasional travel to the
field
GRADE: 4
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or
access to children or young people
ROLE PURPOSE:
In line with Save the Children’s values, commitment and strategic priorities, the Budget Coordinator is responsible for the review & maintenance of the budget and systems support functions
of the South Sudan offices.
The Budget Co-ordinator supports the execution of departmental/unit strategic and operational
planning processes to achieve targets in support of country-wide goals and objectives. This will
primarily focus on the updating of the Country Annual Plan, the Master Budget, allocation of
support cost to grants. In addition, this role will include working with the proposal team to ensure
good financial acumen in the development of proposals.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Budget & System Support Manager
Dimensions: Dimension of Role:
South Sudan is one of the most challenging and exciting working environments that Save the
Children currently works in. The newest country in the world, its legacy of thirty years of war has
yet to be even partly addressed as its new government struggles to both mature and reach out to
its people. Education rates remain extremely low with less than 10% of the population finishing
primary school; and only 200 girls completing secondary school in 2011 (out of a total population
of greater than 8 Million people). Infrastructure across the country remains virtually none-existent;
with 80% of the country – including State capitals – only accessible for half of the year (the rainy
season) by small aircraft. Even in the capital – Juba – there are no functioning public utilities, few
tarmac roads and limited health services. Aid agencies rely on generators, water trucking and
satellite internet to meet their basic needs. The agencies still provide some 75% of the basic
services of the South Sudanese population. Parts of the country are still racked by insecurity –
tribal militias, rebel militia groups and direct conflict with the North of Sudan all take their regular
toll on the civilian population.
Save the Children has been active in South Sudan for over 20 years. In 2010 the three active field
agencies – Save the Children Sweden, US and UK came together under a unified presence with
Save the Children UK as the managing member. We reach and help the meet the rights of
hundreds of thousands of children every year.
There is currently a total of 28 active grants that Save the Children is implementing across thirteen
field offices. This number is likely to increase over the year to approximately 35 active grants. The
expected yearly expenditure of these grants is expected to reach over US$30 Million during the
course of 2012. The grants vary from short term emergency response grants from CHF, UN
agencies, ECHO etc… through to multi-year funding for longer term development programmes.
This is a challenging role in a complex environment. It requires a dedicated, experienced and
highly motivated individual who can manage the difficulties of living and working in such an
environment and still be fundamental in helping to drive forward our programmes and our
ambitions. Equally, South Sudan today is an rewarding place to be – a new country that still needs
SAVE THE CHILDREN
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much of its plans for the future to be laid out and put in place. Joining Save the Children here now
is thus an immensely exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a country as we, one of the
largest agencies in the country, help formulate the future direction of this country – helping to put
its children first.
Staff directly reporting to this post: Finance Officer
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
1.Collaborative Responsibilities
This role requires the candidate to carry out strategic responsibilities as a member of the South
Sudan Finance Team. Work collaboratively to deliver, with finance, budget and system support
team, provide accurate and timely information for donor and management
2. Functional Role
Responsible for every aspect of the budgetary process for South Sudan offices including the
following:
•
Compile, analyse, and summarize budget projections and requests for the country office.
With the Business System Support Manager, analyses and compile Country Annual plan.
•
Analyse, review and understand submitted proposed budgets and all budget revision
requests
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Monthly analysis of budget v. actual variances with a variance commentary package
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Answer ad hoc budget questions/issues for budget holders
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To lead the Master budget development function, cost matrix system for fair allocation of
support cost across the funding source;
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Ensure that all data from field, partners and main office received for the monthly, quarterly
and year end process are completed in a timely manner as per the pre-determined closing
schedule.
3. Efficiently Executing Processes
•
Monthly Closing: Manager performs various steps within the monthly closing process – both
for revenue and expenses.
•
Update the phased for all award and other private funds onto the agency’s ledger, and
produce monthly reports, Year End Closing:
•
In assistance with the Finance Manager, the Manager prepares the revenue and expense
analytical for the country, Donor reporting and billing for the country as required.
4. Manage The Installation Of Automated Systems
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The role may be required to work with the Finance Manager, and manage the on-going
training and follow-up needs of field staff.
5. Reporting And Financial Analysis
•
On a monthly basis, analyse trends against the CAP and Master Budget, document the
variance commentary and communicate to the Budget Systems Support Manager.
•
Ad hoc analysis required by the country office budget holders that will help better manage all
the revenue streams, e.g. award funds, other private funds and expense trends and details.
6. Policy & Donor Regulations Compliance
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Assist the country office in day to day compliance and award financial management issues.
Gather information from the Award Manager and/or other units within Finance in resolving
an issue related to compliance.
•
Has effective, open, and transparent communications with customers in the country office
and sub offices.
•
To comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s child safeguarding and other
SAVE THE CHILDREN
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policies;
To perform such other tasks and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.
Working contacts
External: Donors, non-governmental organisations, partner agencies
Internal: Close daily contact with the Grant Accountant, budget holders and finance staff in the
field, as well as the Finance Manager and other finance staff in Nairobi, and the CD and DPD.
Regular contact with the Programme Funding Unit as well as Internal Audit.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
 Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving
and role modelling Save the Children values
 Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - 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
Ambition:
 Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility
for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
 Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
 Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
 Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and
external partners and supporters
 Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
 Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
 Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
 Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
 Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
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Postgraduate Master’s degree in a related field.
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Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and/or Finance required and CPA certification preferred.
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Minimum of three years’ budgeting/accounting/finance experience required.
•
International & Fund/Not-for-Profit accounting/finance experience preferred.
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Appropriate Training & Awards experience.
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Computer literacy; Knowledge and experience of financial computer applications, including
SUN/Agresso accounting packages and spreadsheets, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint,
Access.
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Familiarity with financial systems preferred:
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Strong budgeting/accounting/finance skills.
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Accurate and detail oriented, with ability to see the big picture.
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Ability to complete work in a timely manner while working on simultaneous tasks.
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Ability to maintain high quality of work, both in presentation and accuracy.
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Ability and desire to learn new concepts/skills quickly.
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Strong problem solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
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Ability to gather facts and data, scrutinize with ease, determine a logical solution and resolve
issues with very minimal supervision.
SAVE THE CHILDREN
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Ability to make independent decisions, while keeping supervisor appraised of important
matters.
Ability to anticipate and plan trends and workload. Strong interpersonal skills.
Willingness to work the time necessary to complete critical tasks without being asked.
Knowledge of Arabic, and/or English is preferred as communication is key to success and
understanding of data; no room for error
Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
Willingness to travel to field offices and work in difficult environment from time to time
Ability to work within a multicultural setting
Date of issue:
Author: