Finance Manager, Pathways to Scale at at World University Service of Canada (WUSC)

Job Description

Position Title: Finance Manager, Pathways to Scale (P2S)

Position Location: Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda or Ethiopia, with a strong preference for Rwanda

Reports to: Project Director, Pathways to Scale

Contract term: Full-time, 1 year renewable

Salary Scale: According to local salary scale depending on the final position location

Likely start date: July 2025

Application deadline: June 10, 2025

Languages: Fluency in English is required

Background

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change, and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

WUSC is currently recruiting a Finance Manager who will provide financial and administrative leadership and oversight to support the start-up and delivery of a large five year multi-country project supporting the growth of women led enterprises, particularly those led by young rural women. Funded by Mastercard Foundation, the project will deploy a combination of targeted business development and capital to support the sustainable growth of MSMEs led or owned by women. Businesses targeted will primarily be micro businesses in rural areas, however a subset of larger women-led businesses will also be supported to assess potential for impact on young rural women. The project will operate in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana and Nigeria with a broad range of partners. WUSC will work in close partnership with an access to finance partner responsible for capital deployment, with WUSC coordinating business development services delivered in partnership with local Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs). WUSC will lead a strong learning strategy which will assess various use cases for the deployment of both finance and BDS and the impact on the traditionally underserved segment of young rural women. WUSC has the overall management responsibility of the project.

General Responsibilities

WUSC is seeking a highly organized and experienced Finance Manager to lead the financial management of P2S. Reporting to the Project Director, the Finance Manager will oversee and manage all aspects of the program’s financial operations in the four countries of operation, ensuring compliance with WUSC financial policies and donor requirements, providing financial oversight for partner organizations, and supporting budget planning, monitoring, and reporting.

Key responsibilities include:

Accounting & Finance:

• Ensure that accurate and timely financial records and audit trails are established and maintained for project operations across the four countries.
• In coordination with the Global Finance Analyst in Canada, ensure compliance with the overarching regulatory and contractual obligations (e.g. financial, human resources and legal) of WUSC operations under the P2S project.
• Prepare financial reports for the Project Steering Committee and internal reviews.
• Support the Project Director and support staff in the preparation and monitoring of the Project Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plan budget for the lifetime of the project, as well as disbursement updates and forecasts as required for WUSC headquarters and the donor;
• Ensure timely and complete budgeting processes are implemented, including variance analysis and guidance on managing the expenditures and managing the project cash flow;
• Ensure the reconciliation of bank accounts and the monthly closure of financial records are completed on time, approved by the Project Director and sent to WUSC headquarters;
• Allocate salaries and benefits expenses to appropriate funding codes;
• Review, develop and implement necessary improvements to financial controls, systems and policies of WUSC in financial management with the approval of WUSC headquarters;
• Regularly review and maintain the Financial Management Procedures Manual in coordination with the finance team in Ottawa, and develop the forms and procedures needed for financial operations;
• Ensure that country office financial tools are in line with national laws, donor regulations, WUSC South Sudan policies, and WUSC institutional policies and manuals;
• Provide overall financial analysis, management advice and technical assistance to the project team and partner organizations, as required;
• Participate in financial monitoring of partner organizations; and
• Oversee foreign exchange transactions and accounting;
• Coordinate, facilitate and support internal and external audits.
• Perform monthly reconciliation and analysis of the Balance Sheet Accounts;
• Obtain vendors’ statements of account, and reconcile and analyze transactions to ensure there are no overdue, missing, or duplicate invoices;

Project Planning and Management

• In close collaboration with the Senior Finance Analyst at WUSC headquarters in Ottawa, provide the necessary support for the financial management of WUSC agreements with donors;
• Ensure that the Budget Variance Analysis (BVA) and forecast processes are well in place for each project and implemented on a timely, quality and collaborative manner by Finance and Program Departments;
• On a monthly basis, compile the BVA and engage with Project Director and other relevant team members, in analyzing the situation and propose corrective/reallocation measures if needed;
• Lead the yearly budget planning process and provide advice to the Project Director and the program implementation team on defining the best allocation of the resources according to the developed work plan, through exhaustive and detailed budget and financial risks analysis and benefits;
• Monitor and support partner financial management and reporting.
• Take the lead in the design of new projects and proposals from a budget point of view in coordination with the Project Director and the finance department at WUSC headquarters; and
• Ensure headquarters and donor deadlines for financial reports are met.
• Provide managerial oversight and direction to a team of three staff members, two Finance Officers and one Administrative Officer.

Capacity Building

• Develop of a capacity building plan for WUSC and implementing partners’ team according to their needs;
• Prepare and conduct financial training/coaching for non-finance staff on costing, budgeting, BVA analysis, and donor and government compliance, according to the training needs identified;
• Strengthen the capacity of finance staff through coaching and on the job guidance and training;
• Provide capacity building support to project partners, sharing feedback as necessary with regards to areas of improvement and progress status.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field is preferable; Bachelor degree with extensive relevant experience accepted;
• MBA or a Professional Financial/Accounting qualification (ACCA, CA or equivalent);

Experience

• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience post qualification in accounting, management and monitoring, preferably with large international development organization.
• Substantial experience (2 years or more) as supervisor of finance/administration staff highly desirable; and experience building capacity of staff in finance and accounting.
• Experience with international donor grants, contracts accounting, financial and administrative procedures, and compliance regulations; Good knowledge of local laws and national financial and audit requirements in South Sudan, including the labor law, staff income tax, and social security regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft office packages, Google suite, computerized accounting systems and other relevant software.
• Good knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, control standards and the reporting requirements of major international donors.
• Ability to manage a financial/administration team across several sites and demonstrate leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Able to manage, guide and lead employees to ensure appropriate financial processes are being used.
• Strong understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles.
• Demonstrate commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment.

Assets

• Experience working in projects with investment and microfinance components.
• Ability to travel locally and internationally as required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with multiple time zones.

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and rewarding. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility.

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunities and empowerment.

APPLICATIONS

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.