Finance and Administration Manager at FAWE Rwanda Chapter: (Deadline 19 April 2025)

Finance and Administration Manager at FAWE Rwanda Chapter: (Deadline 19 April 2025)

“Supporting girls and women to acquire education for development”

Ref:052/04/25/FAWERWA

11th April 2025

Job Advert | Finance and Administration Manager – FAWE Rwanda Chapter

Who we are: The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a pan-African non-governmental organization founded in 1992 by five women ministers of education. Its mission is to promote girls’ and women’s education in sub-Saharan Africa, aligning with the Education for All initiative. FAWE works to ensure that girls and women have access to schools, complete their studies, and achieve their dreams. With headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, FAWE has a network of 34 National Chapters in 33 countries.
Established in 1997, FAWE Rwanda Chapter boasts of a rich history rooted in a visionary commitment to gender equity in education. FAWE Rwanda has been unwavering in its mission to promote gender equity and equality in education in Rwanda by fostering positive policies, practices and attitudes towards girls’ education. As an integral member of a broader network across Sub-Saharan Africa, the chapter in Rwanda has actively collaborated with government entities, local communities, schools, and international organizations to foster an inclusive educational environment.

Our Vision: Empowered Rwandan women and girls participate and make their contribution as equal members of society.

Our Mission: Empowerment of girls and women through gender equity in education and livelihoods, policies and programmes.

Position Summary: FAWE Rwanda Chapter is seeking to recruit an experienced, highly passionate Finance and Administration Manager who has integrity and is results-oriented. The core purpose of the “Finance and Administration Manager (FAM) is to support the National Coordinator in finance management, capacity building, assets management, budget and budget control and risk management while ensuring financial sustainability, regular financial reporting in accordance with funding requirements, and supervising logistics. This position is open to Rwandan Nationals only.

Contract Type: This is a full-time role with a three-year renewable contract subject to satisfactory performance and program funding, which includes a three-month probation period.

Location: The Finance and Administration Manager will be based at FAWE Rwanda Chapter, Kigali Office with occasional travel to project sites within Rwanda and other FAWE chapters in Africa or any other parts of the world deemed necessary by FAWE Rwanda.

Reporting to: FAWE Rwanda Chapter-National Coordinator.

Direct Reportees: Accountant, IT Officer, Driver, Cashier and Logistics, and Office attendant

Key Roles and Responsibilities: 

Oversight of Finance 20%

• In coordination with the FAWE RS, undertake Partnership Assessment for potential partner organizations.

• Monitor timely submission of Partners’ financial reports, oversee the monthly review, and monitor the resolution of issues arising from the reviews.

• Train and coach Finance staff and implementing partners on FAWE Financial Rules and Procedures and specific contractual requirements imposed by donors. Monitor the country programme, ensuring compliance with internal and donor regulations.

• Oversee the FAWE Rwanda Office accounting, including the monthly review of Balance Sheet accounts.

Budgeting 10%

• Prepare project budgets with Programme and Finance staff, submitted to donors. Monitor that the review and approval process is documented, and documents submitted to potential donors are filed on SharePoint.
• In collaboration with the FAWE RS, analyse compensation packages, taxation requirements, and human resource policies to ensure that FAWE Rwanda Chapter has fully accounted for the full cost of local staff compensation and benefits and is compliant with local laws and regulations.
• Ensure that the approved donor budgets are coded in accordance with the FAWE Rwanda Chart of Accounts (CoA), to help facilitate subsequent donor reporting.
• Prepare annual project budgets and the annual budget for the Kigali office in discussion with Programme Officers and with the National coordinator for approval. These must be based on realistic estimates of likely funding for each programme.
• Assist project accountant to develop and implement finance reports (budgeting and forecasting) within the framework of FAWE financial reporting systems, in liaison with Programme Officers.

Financial Management and Systems 15%

• Approve expenses, in line with approved budgets, for the programmes being implemented.
• Cash management – oversee management of the bank accounts for Rwanda, and daily monitoring of cash balances.
• Oversee funds transfers to the Kigali Office and to Partners to make sure they are funded in a timely manner, in accordance with approved budgets and to ensure the smooth implementation of FAWE Rwanda ’s programmes.
• Review existing financial systems and procedures used in the country and recommend modifications to enhance these as needed, in order to improve delivery. Ensure that staff understand, follow and are trained in these procedures.
• Visit the Partners to perform capacity assessments and internal audits, and reviews as required, to ensure compliance with FAWE and donor requirements. Coordinate and supervise any subsequent training that is provided as a result of the capacity assessment.
• For new programmes, monitor that the local Partners financial rules and procedures are harmonized with those of FAWE Rwanda Chapter. Ensure that the finance officer trains new Partners finance teams on SAGE, accounting procedures, record keeping, and reporting procedures.

Financial Reporting and Audit 20%

• Oversee the production of accurate and timely financial management information (both succinct and comprehensive) to assist Finance and Programme Officers manage the finances of the corresponding programmes. This includes Actual v/s Budgeted spending at both the Partner level and at the consolidated programme level. Review and enhance reporting and ensure there are built-in checks to verify accuracy.
• Monitor the funding available to each programme (especially when this is impacted by exchange rate movements), both for the current financial year but also over the life of multi-year projects and advise Programme Officers when changes in income availability will require budget revision.
• Provide summarized financial reporting to the National Coordinator on a monthly basis.
• Ensure donor reports are submitted in accordance with donor requirements.
• Maintain an overview of the finances of each programme and review this on a regular basis with Finance and Programme Officers.
• Provide financial training to Programme Managers and Officers when needed.
• Coordinate FAWE Rwanda partner and donor audits in line with stipulated statutory requirements, terms of reference and donor regulations. Ensure that a timetable outlining the tasks that need to be completed is prepared in discussion with the Finance team and then used to monitor preparations leading up to the audit.

• Lead the implementation of the audit Management Letter recommendations in a systematic manner

Administration function 20%

• Supervise, coordinate, and support the administrative function, which includes travel and accommodation, logistics, facilities management, management of stationery and kitchen stocks
• Manage the office rental lease and office expenses, including electricity, water, etc.
• Oversee the opening of new bank accounts, should this be required (including approval from the Board.
• Ensure that FAWE Rwanda Chapter maintains appropriate insurance coverage for the facilities and local insurance coverage for inventory in collaboration with the IT and HR.

Resource Mobilization 10%

• Support in project proposal drafting, financial forecasting, and risk analysis.
• Search and identify prospective funders and funding opportunities for FAWE Rwanda Chapter.

Other 5%

• Responsible for liaison with national authorities and local partners, and donors on matters related to finance.
• Responsible for identifying areas of financial and operational risk within both FAWE Rwanda Chapter and Partners and taking a lead in mitigation measures, e.g., identifying training needs and capacity building of staff, to increase knowledge and therefore reduce risks.
• Provide feedback on the FAWE Rwanda chapter financial rules and procedures and help to enhance and refine these.
• Perform other duties related to finance and administration as called upon.

Management of Personnel and Resources

• Creates an enabling work environment that fosters learning and innovation, where staff members can achieve their potential, demonstrating gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
• Mentors and coaches staff members, monitors, evaluates and documents the individual performance of direct reports through a staff development lens.
• In collaboration with the FAWE RS, establishes and implements necessary measures that respond to the health, well-being and safety and security needs of the staff
• Subject to the programmes growth and guided by and in close collaboration with the HR unit, recruits, motivates, develops, inspires, and builds a high-performance and cohesive finance team.

Education/Qualification:

• Being a holder of a bachelor’s degree in financial management or accounting is a priority and master’s degree in the same fields is an added advantage.
• Holder of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or ACCA qualification. Be a full member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda.

Experience:

• At least seven (07) years’ professional experience, three of which must be at a senior level in a similar position with a reputable organization preferably in a Non-Profit Organization or public sector donor-funded development progammes; handling multiple and concurrent donor grants for different programmes.
• Working experience with internal controls for at least three (3) years will be an added advantage.
• Proven track record in managing budgets and finances of different donor programs and projects especially those with education-focused organizations, NGOs, or international agencies.
• In-depth understanding of programmatic accounting (multi-level chart of accounts) for different funding partner grants.
• In-depth understanding of financial statements for not-for-profit organizations.
• Sound understanding of funding partner requirements, tax laws, and laws governing non-governmental organizations in Rwanda.
• Human Resource Management Skills.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to work with the donor community.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Effective time management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to effectively present financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong computer literacy skills, with an advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, QUICKBOOKS and SAGE software systems, are an asset.
• Knowledge of non-profit financial management best practices and a commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and representation skills.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda and knowledge in French would be an added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of financial management principles, practices and procedures including accounting standards and regulations.
• Proven ability to lead and work effectively with others to achieve results with strong people leadership skills and abilities.
• Build Relationships – ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Grants Management experience.
•  Problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize work and meet deadlines in a high pressure fast-paced environment.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and dedication to the mission of FAWE Rwanda.

Applications must come in one PDF document that includes the following:

• Application cover letter addressed to the FAWE Rwanda Chapter National Coordinator.
• Curriculum vitae including your personal details, education level, and any experience.
• Certified copies of the academic degrees.
• Name, address, and telephone numbers of three (3) references.

Interested candidates should send their applications and required documents stated above through the Application Button below not later than Saturday 19th April 2025 at 6.00pm (EAT) . Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next steps of recruitment.

Disclaimer: FAWE Rwanda Chapter does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to pay particular care when submitting personal information during the application process.