Job Description

Job Announcement – External/Internal

Job Type: Full-time 

Location: Freetown 

Start Date: May 2026 

Reports to: Country Director. 

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting changes in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries – across  Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

We are currently seeking a Finance Manager in Sierra Leone to manage all aspects of the finance function and to support the integration between accounting, finance, and program staff towards the common goal of ensuring that project objectives are met. The Manager will serve as a thought partner to the Finance Director, Burkina Faso & Sierra Leone, to analyse and maintain the financial health of the program portfolio.

Functional Relationships 

Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting structure. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally, are essential to make this structure thrive.

The Finance Manager reports directly to the Zone Director, Guinea, Niger, and Sierra Leone/Finance  Director Burkina Faso & Sierra Leone, and is a key member of the Country Finance Team. The position directly supervises a team of staff at different professional skill levels, works closely with colleagues at all levels of Helen Keller’s global management structure, especially subject matter experts in accounting, budget and finance, business development, finance systems, and grants compliance.

Scope of the Position 

The Finance Manager supports the Finance Director, Burkina Faso & Sierra Leone, in the overall financial management of the country office portfolio, which is composed of projects funded by foreign governments (FDDO) and/or other multi-lateral and privately funded initiatives. S/he will  support the Finance Director to manage a collaborative effort with the country office and global  management colleagues to ensure adherence to Helen Keller policies and procedures, maintain

strong internal controls, and maintenance of the general ledger and all other accounting functions.

Page | 1

Specific Responsibilities 

Overall Management and Leadership 

• Under the supervision of the Finance Director, work closely with the Program Management team to monitor burn rates, pipelines, and other aspects of country office financial health.  Flag unusual budget variances or problems and recommend corrective action.
• In a collaborative effort with program managers, ensure high-quality financial planning,  management, reporting, and auditing of all programs, including thorough budget preparation and monitoring.
• Be familiar with finance and other systems in the organization and optimize utilization to achieve efficiencies.
• Review and assess the status of the country office policies, procedures, and workflows, identify gaps or outdated policies, and recommend improvements.
• Keep abreast of changes in laws and regulations of local authorities (e.g., consortium of non-governmental organisations, Tax Department) and constituents that impact Helen Keller’s operations and ensure country office adherence.
• Support in building a highly effective Finance team, recruiting, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating staff, and engaging in frequent performance conversations with team members. • Delegate responsibilities, consult with, and guide staff to achieve goals and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
• Identify and implement best practices in financial operations. Participate in international work groups assigned to develop global policies and/or optimise systems and procedures.

Budget and Grants Management

• Maintain a complete financial knowledge of the portfolio of awards in the country office. • Support the preparation and analysis of the annual and mid-term budget of the country office, as well as re-forecasts, as needed.
• Work with the Finance Director and collaborate with the Business Development unit to prepare proposal budgets, budget narratives, and budget amendments. Review budgets to ensure conformity with the work plan.
• Review and analyse the impact of cost extensions, no-cost extensions, and other budget realignments.
• Conduct monthly monitoring of project implementation rates and share variance analysis reports with the Finance Director for strategic decisions and actions • Ensure invoices, financial reports, analysis of accruals, forecasts, and other financial deliverables for awards are completed accurately and on a timely basis.
• Reconcile donor reports to the general ledger (cash and expenses).
• Track and report monthly project expenditures with the Finance Director for program actions. • Conduct field visits to sub-recipients and state offices as required, to assist in the assessment  of sub-recipients’ financial management and State team mentoring
• Manage project start-up and/or closing processes, as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of donor procedures and rules and regulations, and ensure compliance.

Accounting and General Ledger Management

• Perform, and engage hands-on as needed, with accounting and finance staff to ensure timely and accurate general ledger maintenance, banking and cash management, accounts payable, payroll and procurement processes, for the primary office and any sub-offices.
•  Support Accounting functions and reviews to ensure that:
• Financial data is accurate and up to date for a timely monthly closing process.

Page | 2

• general ledger balances are analysed;
•  Quality financial reports are produced according to donor and Helen Keller timetables. Payroll is analysed for accuracy and consistency before final approvals and payment 
• benefit and tax payments (social security contributions, taxes, etc.) are made on time

with solid documentation of all payments and calculations to conform with local law and Helen Keller Human Resources policies.

• filing systems and archiving of financial records are maintained;
• Any contingent liabilities are tracked and reported to the Finance Director
• country and project audits are scheduled on a timely basis, and that any corrective action plans are fully implemented; manage and engage in the process as needed. 
• Support the Finance Director's efforts to maintain cash flow to ensure that liquidity is maintained; monitor currency fluctuations; establish sound electronic banking procedures, including preparation of accurate monthly bank reconciliations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance management, accounting, or an equivalent university  degree; ICAN or equivalent certification desirable, plus
• Professional experience of at least ten years with at least five years in a similar position, preferably in an international NGO, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, financial and general ledger management, financial controls, and project management, including demonstrated ability to develop and monitor budgets and collaboratively manage operational activities.
• Interest in international development and public health programs, as well as an understanding of the synergy between the programmatic, operational, and financial components in project design and implementation.
• Analytical and conceptual skills, as well as the curiosity and learning agility necessary to be successful in a growing organisation with evolving financial and operating systems.
• Knowledge of donor regulations, including foreign government development agencies and other multilateral development agencies.
• Ability to negotiate/support negotiations effectively with donors, troubleshoot issues,  and take proactive approaches to improving financial and budget management processes.
• Excellent capacity building, team building/management, and coordination skills. An ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and coach and mentor junior staff. • Well-established and practised organisational and planning skills.
• Good oral and written English language skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex financial, compliance, and operational issues in layperson's language.
• Demonstrated high-level proficiency in the use of various financial-related software  (spreadsheets, accounting packages).
• Collaborative, flexible, and solution-oriented. Ability to work under pressure, maintain balance when under stress, and meet strict internal and donor deadlines.

About Company

Helen Keller International

 http://helenkellerintl.org