Head Of Finance

BENEFITS

28 days holiday + Bank Holidays
Life Assurance x4 of basic salary
Income protection scheme
8% employer contribution pension scheme
Flexibility

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Finance will lead a small, established finance team and will need to drive a successful business partnership approach with teams across the organisation, achieving greater efficiency both in ways of working and in purchasing and in investigating how our systems and technology can best meet our operational needs. This role is pivotal in the charity, and a great opportunity for an exceptional finance professional to contribute to the continuous improvement of the charity, finance function and team. You will take day to day responsibility for financial accounting, the provision of management information and will actively manage financial planning and forecasting. You will also input into strategy on a functional and organisational level. 

A track record in successful business partnering is essential as we develop and refine our business model. Previous experience in a management information function, either within the not-for-profit sector or a similar sized commercial organisation, is needed. You will need to liaise closely with non-finance staff to ensure financial information is made meaningful and accessible and to support training to enable them to interpret the information provided and manage their budgets. Good communication skills and the ability to explain complex information to staff at varying levels are therefore essential as is the ability to provide leadership and motivate staff.

We have exciting organisational goals for the year ahead, including a review of our Finance system and an opportunity for the finance team to drive improvements to our processes and ensure we make best use of technology to drive efficiency and add value to our stakeholders. We are a small team in a small organisation with big ambition and offer a unique opportunity for development in your finance career.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO  

United Kingdom for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the United Kingdom. We generate public awareness of the plight of refugees and raise funds to help protect them through UNHCR’s humanitarian operations across the world. 

Our supporters include UK private individuals, communities, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. The funds we raise help UNHCR deliver emergency relief such as shelter, medical care and basic supplies to people fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as healthcare, education and livelihoods opportunities for those who remain displaced over the long term. 

Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all play a part in their protection, and we want those who work with us to share our values and passion for the cause. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING  

We strongly value diversity and recognise that it is critical to our success and the cause that we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all who work with us and strongly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, or a stateless person.  

UK for UNHCR is proud to have Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. The Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is a group of colleagues focusing on tasks that drive action in the implementation of our D&I Approach. The group also works to create safe spaces that brings colleagues together for events, discussions and learning experiences that celebrate and support diversity and tackle barriers to inclusion.  

We are also open to flexibility in many different ways, including an element of working from home and flexible hours. Please don’t be afraid to speak to us about this at the interview stage, so we can explore what’s possible.  

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a diverse role across the full spectrum of the finance function, with the post holder responsible for the timely provision of management information as well as leading the Finance Team in delivering a full financial accounting and statutory reporting service to ensure UK for UNHCR is compliant with all financial regulation. Central to the role is the critical review and the effective communication of financial information and its implications to all levels of management while also delivering a high quality, customer focused finance partnering service to senior managers and SMT. 

Key accountabilities:

• Oversee the provision of clear, accurate, timely and user friendly (financial and non-financial) management information to Directors, senior managers and staff to support the decision-making process and to allow managers to proactively manage their budgets.
• Take full management responsibility for the Finance Manager and Finance and Administration Assistant, leading, motivating and developing them so that that they are clearly focused, competent, and work effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and prepare statutory accounts, corporation tax, Gift Aid, VAT, Charity Commission and other statutory financial returns for the charity and its trading subsidiary as appropriate. 
• Manage the annual audit process, being the point of contact for external auditors on operational matters relating to the audit process and providing information and documentation supporting the annual report and accounts.
• Develop and maintain various business and financial planning processes in support of the strategic needs of the organisation. This includes:

1. Annual budgeting process.
2. Overseeing financial reforecasts at regular (currently quarterly) intervals.
3. Playing an active role in the broader business planning process.
4. Planning and managing cash flows to meet the short and long-term needs of the organisation, maximising interest receivable where opportunities allow. 

• Drive financial ownership, accountability and understanding across the organisation by ensuring budget owners have the knowledge, skills and tools to manage their budgets effectively. Ensure effective financial business partnering is underpinned by effective processes and guidance.
• Provide support to all teams and in particular the fundraising teams in the completion of funding applications and, following successful bids, ensuring appropriate processes are in place to monitor and report progress of Restricted Funding projects.
• Recommend an appropriate reporting process and format for restricted projects to enable their effective management by budget holders and for inclusion in management accounts reporting.
• Ensure the internal financial control environment is adequate to safeguard the Charity’s assets and is properly documented, and liaise as needed with external professional advisors, such as auditors and our bankers.
• Ensure premises and facilities are managed appropriately on a day-to-day basis, line managing the Finance and Administration Assistant, and taking the lead in matters relating to property leases.
• Develop own knowledge base and keep abreast of changes in the regulatory and financial environment, as well as new initiatives and best practice in the sector to ensure the charity’s policies and processes are fit for purpose and adapt as UK for UNHCR evolves. 
• Support the Senior Management Team in other work as may be required from time to time and, as time allows, engage in the broader work of the charity to ensure the post holder has a recognisable profile as the leader of a key team and has an understanding of the work we do.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform duties that are not detailed above. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE 

Knowledge: 

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) with significant post qualification finance experience at a senior level.

Skills:

• Track record of success at a senior level within an organisation of comparable size and complexity, including hands on experience in delivering a bespoke finance service.
• Proven ability to communicate successfully with different stakeholders, both written and verbal, and including the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Ability to critically review, analyse and interpret complex financial and management information and present it clearly and appropriately to different audiences.
• Comfortable in dealing with detail as required given the constraints of working in a small team.
• Confident with a range of IT software, including hands on experience in managing, using and configuring accounting packages.
• Experience of software implementation, and ideally of accounting systems.
• Strong leadership skills including the ability to motivate and develop staff members.
• Knowledge of the legislative, tax and regulatory framework of companies, ideally in the not-for-profit sector.
• Track record in successful project management.
• Ability to identify, assess and manage risks and make recommendations based on objective criteria.
• Team player able to establish productive working relationships with both colleagues and externally.
• Strategic thinker who is pro-active in identifying opportunities for the organisation, and within the finance function for improvements in business process.

Experience: 

• Relevant post-qualification experience, to include managing a finance team. 
• Experience of developing and implementing financial procedures and controls. 
• Experience of commercial or charity accounting including the preparation of statutory accounts and preferably SORP compliance.
• Experience of preparing management accounts in a rigorous environment.
• Experience of managing the preparation of budgets and business plans.
• Experience of VAT accounting, preferably the partial exemption basis and corporation tax.

WHY JOIN UNITED KINGDOM FOR UNHCR?  

You will be part of a high performing agile team of talented people, all committed to build solidarity and raise funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. You will be working in a flexible, supportive, and inclusive environment, where your work will be recognised and appraised.  

What else? 

Wellbeing  

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays. 
• Employee Assistance programme providing 24/7 access to online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing.  
• Access to 100s of perks with discounts on everyday purchases. 
• Office wellness perks. 
• Discount on gym memberships.  
• Hybrid and Flexible Working. 
• Staff socials. 

Financial  

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8%. 
• Non-contributory group life assurance scheme 
• Non-contributory Income protection scheme. 
• One-off contribution towards homeworking set up. 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay. 
• Enhanced sick pay scheme.  

Development  

• Comprehensive training and continuing development opportunities. 
• Individual training budget. 

HOW TO APPLY 

If you have the relevant skills and the passion to use them to support refugees, please apply by completing our application form which is available in the documents section.    

Closing date: 28th May 2024

Interview dates: Week commencing 3rd June 2024 (first round), w/c 10th June 2024 (second round)

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation, please contact us on the email address on our online portal. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible. 

United Kingdom for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales), charity no. 1183415. It is the UK national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency.