This is a great opportunity for an experienced finance leader to join Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV). We’re recruiting for a Finance and Grants Manager.
About AYV
AYV is a leading media company providing cutting-edge communication solutions across the world. AYV operates three television channels, radio, newspaper, and a printing press. AYV also broadcasts on DStv Channel 399 in Sierra Leone and across Africa.
AYV International is headquartered in London, United Kingdom with networks across the world including in Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific, the Americas, and Caribbean.
AYV has established a strategic partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the world service programme in London. This partnership offers both AYV and the BBC a world – class broadcasting platform and resources for audiences across the world.
The AYV’s reputation and the strength of its brand in Sierra Leone and around the world are based upon its fundamental values of editorial integrity, independence, and impartiality. These values are central both to the AYV’s Public Services and our Commercial Services.
AYV’s approach to coverage and public engagement is based on 3 key principles (ABC): Audience First, Best Practices & Regulatory Standards and Contents Fit for Purpose.
Job Introduction
We have an exciting opportunity for a confident Finance and Grants Manager to join our global finance and project team. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Finance Manager will support various business areas including:
• Act as critical support to the CEO, COO and Management team.
• Hold overall control and responsibility for the day to day running of the finance function of AYV.
• Provide a comprehensive service including development of AYV overall budget, payroll, provision of regular management reports, co-ordination and monitoring of grant activities and clients/sponsors relationship and marketing management.
• Embrace a learning environment, train others and be eager to seek out opportunities to expand knowledge and experience of the finance role through formal training and other opportunities.
Knowledge, skills, and experience.
Ideally, you will be fully qualified in accountancy (preferably ACA or CIMA or Finance degree) coupled with demonstrable experience. You will be exceptionally analytical with financial modelling skills, proficient with Excel.
A commercial acumen – client engagement business experience is highly desirable coupled with a collaborative leadership style, demonstrating the ability and passion to manage/develop a team in line with the AYV’s Behaviours Commitment.
You will have strong technical accounting skills and a distinct organisational work ethic, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities. Confident communication at all levels, experience in change management would be advantageous. Proficient presentation skills, the ability to communicate complex accounting rules to non-financial colleagues/stakeholders.
Person Specification
Essential
• Experience in management accounting and producing finance reports.
• Experience using online accounting software, for example, Xero, QuickBooks.
• Demonstrable experience in preparing budgets and reporting on performance.
• An understanding of funding/grant applications within the public and private sectors.
• Experience in managing or working within a public and private sector finance function.
• Proven experience of working with confidence at a senior level.
• Familiarity with inspection of accounts, audits, and end of year reporting processes for annual audits and payroll.
• Ability to handle fast-paced environment, balancing a wide variety of responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Proven team player and willingness to be hands-on.
• Excellent planning skills with the ability to devise, plan and execute work plans to deliver an organisation’s strategic objectives.
Desirable
• Accountancy qualification with a minimum of 5-year experience in a private sector.
• Familiarity with public and private sectors finance.
• Familiarity with regional/international finance context.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities.
The main responsibilities include:
Responsibilities
Finance
• This role provides financial and non-financial information and analysis to enable the company to make appropriate effective commercial decisions, ensuring that effective reporting and controls are in place to support a diversified and substantial business. You will be responsible for supporting the FD, the marketing department with an overall view of actual performance for business divisions. You’ll be acting as a key contact between the departments and the CEO/COO, ensuring all processes and reporting are robust.
• You will be providing a consolidated portfolio view of daily, weekly, monthly results to the COO/CEO and managing a team of Finance department by providing coaching, support and technical expertise where necessary. This role will be driving continuous process improvement via clients and providing feedback and recommendations in relation to the clients’ processes and deliverables.
• You will be providing Month End close process, balance sheet reviews, month end reporting packs and presenting the portfolio of business results to the CEO/COO and Management. Year-end processes will include responding to requests and queries from auditors, reviewing and managing the completion of year end schedules and supporting the Group Finance function to deliver the Annual accounts.
• Develop the annual planning and budget setting process, encompassing both OpEX and CapEX activities and funding.
• Recommend and implement enhanced data management systems to drive impact analysis, to continuous improvement and support fundraising.
• Supervise the finance function to ensure sound day-to-day financial management and control, including recording all financial transactions on the finance system, banking and investment management.
• Design and implement internal control functions throughout the organization, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly internal audits, and ensure effective checks and balances and governance systems are in place and working.
• Manage the assets and inventory system through an effective assets register, inventory control, regular stock taking, and tracking of equipment usage.
• Produce monthly and quarterly management accounts and reports, working with the Finance department and with external accountants/auditors as required.
• Prepare annual statutory accounts, including all filing requirements and compliance with regulators.
• Support the CEO/COO and departments in diversifying and maximising funding and sponsorship streams for the company including project development.
• Work with the CEO/COO and Management to develop business plans and funding proposals.
Grants Management
• Lead on creating budgets for sponsorship and grant applications.
• Oversee the bid writing process to ensure all required documentation is collated and submitted to deadline.
• Support the wider AYV team to write project grant and sponsorship proposals, including reviewing and editing copy and budgets.
• Develop and maintain successful relationships with sponsors and funders through regular contact with grant/account managers.
• Monitor sponsorships and grant programme budgets, progress, and outcomes.
• Oversee and manage the reporting process to ensure that all sponsors and funders receive regular updates as per their requirements.
• Oversee a timetable of progress reports for all grants and oversee the preparation of financial reports and budgets.
• Effectively manage multiple funding deadlines to ensure no key opportunities are missed.
• Keep abreast of new funding opportunities and communicate with the wider team about timelines.
Package Description
Band: C
Contract/Salary: to be negotiated.
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Excellent professional progression: AYV offers great opportunities for AYV people to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the company.
Training and development opportunities: our in-house AYV Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external training with the possibility of certification.
Please note that the application process will require you to submit a CV and application to:
hr@ayvnews.com. Closing date: 28th April 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
