Finance Manager - Rwanda

ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS

Spark Microgrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. Decades of prescriptive aid have sidelined the poor from the very programs meant to uplift them. We believe in local solutions and catalyzing rural villages facing poverty into action.

Founded in Rwanda in 2010, Spark has codified a unique Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) and trained leading civil society organizations and governments, reaching 500+ villages and over a quarter-million lives. Spark’s FCAP model, are ‘town-hall’ style weekly meetings, in which women, men, young, old, plan together for their community’s future. Each village elects a leadership committee, establishes a village savings account, and launches a project of their choice. Members receive training on financial management, transparency, leadership, village planning, and advocacy. Each village then receives US$8,000 in seed funds and additional management support to turn their project ideas into reality.

Spark trains partner organizations and works with governments to scale the FCAP as the model of choice to advance social and economic development, improve lives, and secure lasting change. Spark is now active in 500+ villages in 6 countries, improving the lives of more than 500,000 people. 

As a team, we share a set of common values that shape how we work. These are:

1. Facilitators. We don’t impose; we enable others to generate impact.

2. Community-driven. We are motivated by what is best for the community.

3. Process-centered. The how of what we do is just as important as the what.

4. Authentic. Our vision and values live in everything we do.

5. Dynamic. We seek opportunities and are willing to take risks to serve our community partners better

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Finance Manager provides leadership in financial planning, operational, budgeting, internal controls and financial reporting to achieve outstanding performance and growth. The Finance Manager is responsible for implementing effective systems and processes to safeguard financial resources and to provide accurate and complete financial information and analysis to the Head of Finance and Senior Management to aid decision making.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Develop and manage financial plans, budgets, and forecasts.

• Analyze financial data and trends to provide insights for decision-making.

• Ensure financial OKRs and targets are met.

• Lead the development and implementation of systems, policies and procedures to ensure all financial transactions are monitored for conformity with internal controls and in line with the approved governance and financial risk management guidelines

1. Financial Reporting:

• Organize and submit monthly finance reports

• Prepare quarterly presentations on progress against financial goals, and donor reporting for a range of different stakeholders

• Prepare and present accurate and monthly financial reports to management.

• Ensure compliance with local financial reporting standards and regulations.

• Prepare donor reports and ensure compliance with terms and conditions of donor agreements and MOU’s

1. Financial Operations:

• Review and approve expense reports per guidelines of the Organization

• Conduct finance training sessions at team meetings

• Manage country spending and updates on progress against budget goals, and communicate new policies and procedures to the Team

• Implement and maintain effective financial controls and processes.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory and legal requirements.

1. Bookkeeping and Accounting

• Ensure quality of bookkeeping done by the field team and conduct internal audits and spot checks.

• Manage financial reporting in line with IFRS and ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data

1. Cash Management:

• Manage cash flow to meet the organization's operational needs.

• Ensure cost efficiency and value for money through appropriate vendor selection procedures

1. Risk Management:

• Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

• Train staff and implementing partners on financial processes and procedures and conduct regular audit reports on this

• Manage company assets efficiently and effectively.

• Ensure compliance with Rwanda tax laws and regulatory requirements.

1. Team Management:

   - Supervise and lead a team of finance professionals, providing guidance and support.

   - Ensure the finance department's performance and productivity.

1. Microgrants support:

• Review MicroGrant proposals, both implementation and operating budgets, for consistency, accuracy, and alignment to the Organization’s policy and guidelines.

• Create and execute financial management skills training to internal teams and  partner communities as per needed.

• Verify MicroGrant disbursement request and disburse funds to Community Bank, Accounts/SACCO accounts.

• Ensure all community files are compliant, including required documentation and work with facilitators to document any variance explanations.

• Manage community audits by the field team and conduct file audits per internal   policy.

• Assist on Rwanda Local Government trainings where needed

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is typically required. An MBA or a relevant professional qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA) is often preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in finance, with a significant portion in a managerial or supervisory role.

• Strong knowledge of financial and accounting principles, including Rwanda accounting standards and tax regulations.

• Proficiency in Excel and Accounting software; experience with Oracle Netsuite is an added advantage

• Professional standard of finance ethics as well as the ability and willingness to enforce adherence to Spark Microgrants and donor policies and procedures

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with other departments.

• Knowledge of the INGOs industry or sector in which the organization operates may be advantageous.

​WHY WORK WITH US?​​

• You will be joining a dynamic team that hails from ten countries around the world and is committed to our vision
• You will have the freedom and autonomy to make your role your own. We want to hear your innovative ideas, your vision for the future, and your critical questions.
• We respect and value work-life balance and your need for downtime, vacation, and reflection.
• You will join a dynamic and growing organization with a clear pathway to learning and career advancement.

O​THER INFORMATION:

• Job Location: Kigali Rwanda

• Estimated start date: As soon as possible

• Application closing Date: On a rolling basis, we reserve the right to close this recruitment process at any time.

• How to Apply: Follow this link to apply: https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/careers/83

Safeguarding

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are expected to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimise harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and Rwandan Legislation.

Equal Opportunity

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.