JOB TITLE: Head of Finance
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Zambia Country Office Senior Management Team
LOCATION: Lusaka, Zambia
GRADE: NAT 1
Safeguarding:
Save the Children does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse, or harassment against any person. It is the responsibility of all employees and representatives to protect all people who come in contact with our organization. Save the Children commits to applying the same standards to all its employees and subject them to the same processes regardless of their position, influence, or reputation within or outside of the organization.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Save the Children International’s Diversity Policy, aims to promote equal opportunity in employment and to ban any kind of discrimination based on sex, age, social class, disability, HIV status, religion, race and ethnicity
ROLE PURPOSE:
As a member of the Senior Management Team (SLT) in Zambia the Head of Finance shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO). The Head of Finance in his/her capacity is responsible for finance administration, fiscal management, financial and grant reporting in both emergency and development programming contexts
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Country Director
Dotted reporting line to
Staff reporting to this post:
Direct: Finance Manager, Budgeting and Donor reporting Coordinator: and Finance Coordinator
Indirect: Finance and Support Service Coordinator; Budgeting and Partnership Officer; Finance Officers.
Budget Responsibilities: $9.2m
Role Dimensions: Partners Finance Leads, Bank Relationships Manager; Regional Finance Director; Regional Financial Planning and Analysis lead; Regional Control and Compliance Lead
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to:
- Leadership of the Zambia Country Office.
- Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.
Planning and Budgeting
- Assist the Country Director (CD) in the management /administration of the Country Office resources and its sub-office(s) including
(a) The formulation of country work program and resource allocation,
Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control
- Manage the Country Office financial systems and provide the SLT and all budget holders a monthly update on the budget variance analysis.
- Ensure with the SLT that systems are in place for the control of all assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities; submit timely financial reports to center, Regional Office and donors as required.
Finance & Awards Reporting
- Monitor completion of financial reports for grants/contracts. Ensure proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from sub-office(s) and partners.
- Provide guidance to finance and non-finance staff and coordinate efforts to ensure compliance with donor agreement requirements and conditions. Work with budget holders to estimate funds request on a timely basis to ensure resources are in place for carrying project activities; and that reporting requirements and deliverables are met.
Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Finance
- Responsible for appropriate staffing within Finance.
- Responsible for making sure all Finance staff understand and are able to perform their roles in an emergency.
Risk Management
- Produce Quarterly Risk Management Register in consultation with SLT in accordance with the SCI Quality Framework Essential Standards.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- Be accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Ambition:
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
Collaboration:
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
Creativity:
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
Integrity:
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Qualified finance professional preferred (recognized accounting qualification such as CIMA, ACCA, CPA) with experience of operating in a global and complex organization.
- Recommended a minimum of 10 years senior management experience in an International NGO environment, including experience in the development of strategic and operational support services plans and their implementation in a professional work environment over a sustained period of time
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 22nd October 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.
Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection process or thereafter
