Job Description – Head of Finance, Embassy of Ireland
Background:
The Embassy of Ireland, Mozambique, manages Ireland’s bilateral aid programme in Mozambique,
reporting to the Irish Foreign Ministry. The Irish aid programme in Mozambique is the largest Irish
programme in Africa with a budget of €34 million for 2015.
Reporting to:
The Head of Finance reports to the Ambassador. S/he will work closely with the Head of Development,
Development Specialists, Second Secretary and Advisors at the Embassy. In addition, s/he will have a
financial reporting responsibility to the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs &
Trade and the Department’s Finance Division at Headquarters (HQ), via the Ambassador.
Overall Objective of Position:
The job holder supports the Ambassador and in providing strong efficient and effective financial
management and control at mission level to ensure the mission delivers its strategic objectives. The post
requires considerable experience in Accounting and Financial Management. Relevant professional
experience, coupled with an internationally recognised professional accountancy qualification are core
requirements to meet the demanding challenges of this role.
The Head of Finance will be responsible for the day to day management of the Embassy’s Finance
Function including:
1. Responsible for managing and implementing the financial management system and system of
internal financial control;
2. Accurate and complete recording of the financial transactions for the Embassy and Aid
Programme;
3. Provision of timely financial management information and reports to senior management within
the Embassy and headquarters in Ireland;
4. Ensuring the Embassy is in compliance with all documented control procedures, local taxes &
other regulatory payments and relevant accounting standards;
5. Provide advice on local decision making and the effective and efficient management of
resources including mission budgeting;
6. Ensuring systems are in place to safeguard the Embassy/programme assets;
7. Providing technical financial support to programmes, including periodic operational risk
assessments of partners.
Specific Responsibilities:
 Provision of the day-to-day financial management and control to the financial resources allocated
to the Embassy and Aid Programme;
 Timely provision of financial information for reporting to headquarters in Ireland and to Embassy
management including;
 monthly & quarterly management accounts for Embassy Senior Management and for the
Finance Department in HQ, including provision of report on out-turns and identification of any
financial management issues;
 preparation of annual financial statements and year end reporting pack to HQ in accordance
with the year-end reporting timetable and in compliance with requirements of the Irish Auditor
General’s audit of the aid programme;
 such other financial reports as may be requested from time to time either by the Embassy Senior
Management or by the Finance Division in HQ;
 Overall responsibility for annual budget process, ongoing monitoring of expenditure against
budget including reporting of variance analyses;
 Preparation of annual financial statements and audit file for Embassy and liaise with Embassy
external auditors;
 Responsibility for the day to day management and administration of the of Embassy financial
management system - Infor Sun Systems;
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Ensuring the Embassy is compliant with the local regulatory system, with particular emphasis
on payroll taxes, pension liabilities and VAT;
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Providing financial support and advice to Embassy management as well as to those overseeing Irish
aid programmes in Mozambique;
Management and control of the day to day operations of the Finance unit in Maputo, and in the
provincial offices located in Niassa and Inhambane;
Ensuring compliance with all financial procedures as prescribed and appropriate accounting
standards including monitoring and improving financial internal controls and safeguarding assets;
Implementing the anti-fraud policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and working to
ensure the risk of fraud is minimised;
Carrying out financial and governance assessment and capacity building with partners, including
analysis of financial reports received from partners, highlighting any issues which arise and if
appropriate any corrective action required and / or impact on further funding;
Prudent cash and bank management and monitoring of bank and cash balances on an ongoing
basis;
Responding to requests for information from HQ Finance Division in a timely manner;
Participating in regular video conferences with Finance Division in HQ and multi country meetings
as determined by Finance Division in HQ and agreed with the Ambassador;
Supervision and development of finance unit staff in the Finance Department;
And any and all such reasonable additional tasks that the Ambassador may assign.
The applicant should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. He/she requires
negotiation skills and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff and
partners at various levels.
A strong background and knowledge of government regulations and laws, public sector accounting and
financial procedures and regulations surrounding international funding is desirable.
Required Qualifications:
 Internationally recognised professional accounting qualification.
 Minimum of 5 years post qualification experience, preferably in a financial management and
control role, with at least 3 years at a senior level.
 Ability to manage staff and delivering result through a team.
 Experience in the use of financial management accounting packages (knowledge of Info Sun
System would be a strong advantage).
 Proficiency in the Microsoft suite of applications.
 Strong analytical and problem solving skills including managing and interpreting and manipulating
large data sets.
 Proven ability to work under pressure and think laterally in dealing with a wide range of financial
issues.
 The candidate should be highly motivated with a proven ability to work with minimal supervision.
 The ability to work through English is essential and a knowledge of Portuguese would be
advantageous.
 Previous experience working with an international organisation is desirable but not essential.