Head of Finance, Canada Network

Job title:

Head of Finance, Canada Network

Company

HM Government

Job description

Main purpose of job:Based at the British High Commission, Ottawa, the Head of Finance will be responsible, under the direct supervision of the Director of Corporate Services and accountable for the overall financial management, analysis and reporting of all Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) budget streams for the British High Commission Ottawa and across the Canada Network, including the four Consulate Generals (CG) in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,You will have a critical role in supporting the network and the Finance & Procurement teams to: deliver value for money in the pursuit of our objectives; utilise budgets effectively to deliver outcomes, and ensure tight financial controls of resources and contracts to meet strategic priorities. In addition, you will have a lead responsibility on the preparation of monthly financial management information and business performance data, for senior leadership board meetings.With a Finance/Accounting Degree, and ideally experience of managing finance in the workplace, you would bring your existing knowledge of Canadian financial practice whilst learning how the British government implement this into the systems and processes used across its global footprint.We are looking for someone who is proactive and can demonstrate an ability to plan and prioritise occasionally heavy workloads, as well as managing and motivating teams to deliver effectively.Roles and responsibilities:

• Manage, control and analyse annual resource and capital budgets, including updating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system with budget information, allocating cost centres and forecasting monthly and annual expenditure. Lead on strategic financial management and corporate financial planning for FCDO Canada Network, including annual financial planning.
• Monitor performance and allocate funds to meet Posts’ needs and objectives, maximise delivery, and ensure year end spend is within 1% of allocation.
• Review and make recommendations to improve FCDO Canada’s financial strategy.
• Oversee and take responsibility for FCDO Canada financial procedures. Ensure compliance and drive process improvement and policy development initiatives.
• Ensure FCDO Canada network Financial Guidance is up to date and meets Government policy.
• Oversee monthly finance dashboards and quarterly summaries for senior leadership highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Maintain monthly forecasting accuracy for the FCDO Canada network and bring forecast +/- 5%. Provide budget variance analysis and forecasts to Senior Management.
• Conduct stringent monitoring of budgets, and ensure accuracy of financial data, addressing and resolving errors.
• Manage FCDO Canada relationship with UK HQ and FCDO Finance Hub based in Mexico City, ensuring accurate and informed monthly and quarterly reports.
• Lead on the implementation of the One HMG Memorandum Of Understanding, ensuring all partners on the UK in Canada platform adhere to the SLAs and Corporate Services charter. Process change control requests for changes in headcount, accurately capturing marginal costs and ensuring budget uplifts are allocated in a timely manner.

Procurement:

• Lead on procurement policy for FCDO in Canada. Manage and drive initiatives including employee training.
• Ensure compliance with procurement best practice including sharing and updating guidance.

Resource Managed:

• Line manage three employees: 2 x EO, 1 x AO.
• The role manages a multimillion-pound (GBP) budget.

Other duties as assigned.Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Excellent analytical and data processing skills.
• Professional Finance, Admin and/or Procurement qualifications, with completed university degree in Business Administration, Accounting or similar.
• Previous experience working in the finance/procurement field fora medium to large international organisation.
• Experience in managing budgets in an ERP system.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and IT skills, especially with Microsoft Excel. Very dynamic and proactive, result oriented, with excellent customer focus skills. Self-starter, confident and can-do-attitude.
• Presentation skills. Ability to communicate effectively technical subjects to different non-expert audiences. Knowledge of Canadian financial policies and laws.
• Understand and be able to demonstrate budget management and forecasting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of month-end reporting, analysing and presenting financial information.
• Excellent finance operational skills.
• Problem-solving, strategic and analytical capabilities and ability of knowing how to deliver measurable metrics and milestones.
• Clear plan of how to manage stakeholders and ability to engage and influence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to quickly grasp financial management reporting tools.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous supervisor/line management experience.

Required behavioursCommunicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big PictureApplication deadline29 December 2024GradeHigher Executive Officer (HEO)Type of PositionFull-timeWorking hours per week37.5RegionAmericas, Caribbean & Overseas TerritoriesCountry/TerritoryCanadaLocation (City)OttawaType of PostBritish High CommissionNumber of vacancies1Salary CurrencyCADSalaryCAD $7,767.23Type of SalarymonthlyStart Date3 March 2025Other benefits and conditions of employmentApplicants must have the legal status to live and work in Canada.Applicant is expected to appear in person for at least 60% of the working week, but working from home is permitted when realistic to do so.Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.Please note, the salary is non-negotiable.The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.Additional informationClosing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 29th December 2024.Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Expected salary

$7767.23 per month

Location

Ottawa, ON

Job date

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:11:46 GMT

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