Organisation overview

The Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organisation that runs philanthropic programmes as well as for-profit social enterprises. Pharo School Homosha (“the School”) is currently the Foundation’s largest education project and is located in the Benishangul-Gumuz regional state of Ethiopia. Extending over 3.4 hectares, with over 7,000 square metres of purposely designed educational space, the school is the first of its kind in the region; a modern educational and boarding campus with a 240 female student capacity, aiming to offer the best educational opportunities to bright, driven girls from across the region.

Our focus on female education is a response to the challenges girls face in accessing high quality secondary schooling. This shapes the School’s vision of achieving all-round academic and personal development of its students to reach their highest potential and become future leaders and role models.

Position summary

The School’s continuing growth requires a strongly experienced Finance Manager who will be entrusted with the responsibility of supporting the Boarding School operation in financial administration, enhancing internal control procedures, and gathering, analysing and accurately presenting data related to the school’s financial operations. This opportunity is well suited to a genuinely curious, highly detailed driven financial expert, who can thoughtfully work through diverse financial data sets, develop precise reporting formats, along with managing day-to-day unexpected challenges, that abound in a young, boarding school environment.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Maintain compliant accounts in the relevant accounting and financial systems as per the prescribed format, as well as the accounting and financial processes in compliance with the applicable Ethiopian legislation and the Foundation’s policies.
• Continually review and develop additional robust and rigorous financial procedures within the school, keeping pace with the school’s growth, in collaboration with the Country Office Finance team, as well as the London and Nairobi offices.
• Develop procedures and systems to improve the school’s inventory monitoring, reporting and documentation processes, keeping accurate and accessible records of school’s fixed assets and property.
• Working closely with the management of the School, the Country Office, London and Nairobi offices, be the custodian of the integrity of the School’s financial and accounting systems, following Ethiopian legislation and the Foundation’s policies and manuals.
• Prepare the School’s financial reports in accordance with the Foundation’s reporting requirements for submission to the Country Office, London and Nairobi offices.
• Submit monthly, quarterly, yearly the required sets of financial reports as well as other regular and one-off reports to the Country Office, London and the Nairobi offices according to the Foundation’s processes and policies; in particular, report to the management of the School, the Country Office, London and Nairobi offices on variances from the established budget, and the reasons for those variances.
• Prepare and regularly update the School’s budget and other financial reports and analysis as required by the Foundation’s processes and policies, in collaboration with the Country Office, London and Nairobi offices.
• Oversee the development and regular updating of financial systems and procedures and its recording in compliance with the Foundation’s processes and policies.
• Manage cash flow ensuring sufficient funds are available for the smooth operation of the School.
• Review and bring to the attention of the management of the School and of the Foundation any financial systems matters which are unclear and require clarification or major decision.
• Be familiar with all current legislation regarding the financial and reporting requirements of charities (IPSAS).
• Oversee and coordinate the school’s annual audit, assisting Country Office finance team during annual audit.
• Investigate and resolve audit findings, account discrepancies, and issues of non-compliance.
• Support the School’s procurement team during preparation of procurement plan, and the actual procurement as per the Foundation’s processes and policies.
• Ensure the Foundation’s accounting software and the School’s expenditure tracking software are updated on a timely basis, simultaneously, reflecting the latest transactions and balances.
• On an emergency or as needed basis, manage all aspects of the School’s financial needs and day to day financial data entry to ensure smooth day to day operations.
• Ensure document completeness, proper authorisation, compliance to the Foundation’s policies and procedures, reasonability of costs and generally accepted accounting practices are upheld by all School staff.
• Provide support and training to other School staff involved in Finance matters.
• Develop a Pharo School Financial Policies and Procedures Manual in alignment and compliance with the Foundation’s processes and policies.
• Prepare official letters and contracts, maintaining an accurate filing system for all documentation.
• Perform other accounting and administrative duties as required.

Salary and Benefits

• The salary and benefits package is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Housing and meals are available for successful candidates who choose to reside full time on the school campus.
• Medical insurance is provided in accordance with The Pharo School’s Health policy.

Qualification Requirements

• The ideal person should possess a relevant Bachelors degree or a Masters in Accounting. Professional Membership in Accounting and Finance will be an added advantage.
• S/He must possess a minimum of ten (10) years related professional experience, preferably with an international organisation; Six (6) of these must have been in Finance leadership roles.
• Experience working with accounting software packages.
• Experience working in an NGO, an internationally based organization or international school setting.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft packages especially Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in Amharic and fluency in English.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong, data-driven individual with solid experience in managing a Finance department.
• Superb management skills: able to manage and engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a professional and compelling manner.
• Dedicated team player with demonstrable experience in setting up best in class Finance/Accounting systems.
• Self-assured, internally motivated and passionate individual with outstanding communication skills, driven to succeed and make a difference.
• Must possess high levels of integrity, resilience, accountability, commitment and determination.