Description
About Zinc
Zinc Network is an ISO certified international development company headquartered in London and with offices in Washington, D.C., Tbilisi, and Warsaw. We’re on a mission to achieve meaningful, measurable change in international development and security through the application of behavioural science and strategic communications, technology, and human-centred design (HCD).
We have 100+ team members from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, including, behavioural scientists, creatives, diplomats, digital experts, and campaigners. We work with a broad range of governmental, NGO, and private sector clients, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State (DOS); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); and UN agencies and missions.


Introducing the role
Zinc seeks a Finance Manager for a forthcoming USAID-funded program that will strengthen information integrity and resilience across the Sahel by investing in key local actors such as fact checking organisations, investigative journalists and data scientists at the country and regional level. The program will operate in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania. This position is contingent upon award.
The Finance Manager will be responsible for overall financial operations of the project. They will monitor, sign off, and record the use of financial resources and expenditures and lead preparation of financial reports. They will ensure implementation of financial policies in line with USAID regulations and Zinc’s procedures and policies and work with colleagues to ensure the smooth operation of the project. With the Grants and Procurement Manager, they will lead on the invoicing and issuing of payments for grants. The Finance Manager should have the right to work in Senegal, where the project will be based.


What you’ll be doing:
• Lead the preparation and submission of financial reports and cash requests to successfully administer payroll, process departmental invoices for payment, and release grants in partnership with the Grants and Procurement Manager
• Work closely with Zinc HQ colleagues to ensure compliance and effective and proactive fiscal management
• Monitor and analyse program budgets to allow accurate projection of expenditures and comparisons of actual and budget spending and advise on corrective plans
• Work with technical staff and Zinc HQ to ensure project resources are effectively and efficiently budgeted, analysed, disbursed, monitored, and reported in achieving project objectives and results
• Lead quarterly reforecasting exercises
• Maintain financial files and records according Zinc policies and USAID regulations
• Manage the project payroll and statutory deductions
• Lead and oversee annual budget preparations, which will include overseeing work plan costing and the integration of work plan and donor-approved budgets
• Coordinate review of financial and audit reports
• Alongside Zinc HQ colleagues, support the development of policies, guidelines, and criteria for the management of project finances in accordance with Zinc’s high managerial, fiscal, and ethical standards and USAID regulations
• Liaise, as necessary, with in-country payroll company, banks, and any other financial or regulatory organisations
• Work closely with key Zinc colleagues, including at HQ, government officials, contractors, and USAID staff to ensure full compliance with local laws (i.e., taxes, shipping, customs, registration) while integrating with current systems and procedures
• Support the Grants and Procurement Manager in work with grantees to establish all required reporting frameworks and financial controls
• Lead contracting, financial, and compliance interactions with USAID
• Train other project staff on financial requirements of the program, ensuring compliance and smart practices are followed at all points


Requirements
What we need from you:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, management, accounting, or a related field
• At least seven (7) years’ experience as a finance specialist
• Deep knowledge of USAID’s regulations and financial, contractual, grant, and procurement requirements
• Experience leading and managing the financial aspects of USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related United States Government contracting regulations
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with civil society, media, government officials, influencers, the private sector, donors, and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Professional level of oral and written fluency in the French and English languages

Conditions of Employment
Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to:
• Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking- related activities) or workplace investigation.
• Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.
• If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please let us know when contacted.


Area of Selection
We’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.


Benefits
What we can offer you
The opportunity to work with colleagues from a diverse range of professional and cultural backgrounds including the very best ex-diplomats, television producers, digital media strategists, linguists, researchers, and behavioral scientists from both the public and private sector.
Across Zinc Network there’s a commitment by everyone to deliver meaningful, change across all the subject areas, social challenges, and policy goals we’re striving to achieve. Lastly, we’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.