Established in 1980, Surplus People Project (SPP) is an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) that stands in solidarity with activists and social movements in struggles for land, food and climate justice. With agrarian transformation as the overarching vision, SPP believes that systemic change can only be realised through social mobilisation and movements that advance alternatives such as agroecogy and food sovereignty from below. The organisation’s geographic area of operation is the Northern and Western Cape Provinces, with offices in Cape Town, Springbok and Vredendal.
Based in Cape Town, Surplus People Project (SPP) seeks to appoint a
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Reporting to the CEO, the Finance & Operations Manager will coordinate and oversee all finance, operations, human resources, administration functions and ensure that the financial accountability of SPP is maintained in accordance with the finance and admin policies and procedures, including budgets, funder and audit requirements. As a member of the Management Committee (Mancom), she/he will contribute to the overall management of the organisation.
Key responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:
Leading and managing the Finance and Admin (Operations) Team (in the Cape Town Office)
Managing the finance and accounting functions, including but not limited to financial management, accounting, planning/budgeting, budget monitoring, auditing and reporting
Overseeing the effective implementation of financial and administration policies and procedures and ensure adherence to accounting standards and other relevant requirements, including adherence to the Companies Act
Monitoring and reviewing the financial systems, controls, policies and procedures to ensure they are operating properly, are current, and aligned with the organisations strategy
Ensuring financial processing and reporting is timely and accurate and all balance sheet and accounts are reconciled and properly supported
Leading the annual (and other necessary external) audit processes, organisational risk assessments and the internal auditing function
Managing financial reporting to the CEO, the Management Committee and the Board of Directors
Managing and ensuring effective and efficient financial and administration record keeping
Developing budgets and monitoring and allocate resources accordingly
Providing financial forecasts and cash flow
Developing proposal budgets, in consultation with the CEO
Working with the Programme Teams to ensure coherence and efficient spending of budgets
Assisting Programme Managers in addressing contract-related issues and managing projects/grants/site budgets.
Ensuring financial controls and systems comply with organisational and donor regulations
Ensuring SPP is properly insured and assist in coordinating insurance renewals and claims
In addition to funder/donor reporting, managing all regulatory reporting to government, i.e. CIPC, SARS, DSD etc.
Overseeing general operational tasks, including office repairs/upgrades, IT connectivity, office security, vehicle use and tracking, etc.
Overseeing the asset management system to ensure assets are tracked, properly maintained and safeguarded
Managing the HR/People Management administration processes, including oversight and maintenance over remuneration packages, Employment Contracts, Job Descriptions and all related documentation (in consultation with the CEO)
The Finance and Operations Manager must meet the following criteria:
Relevant tertiary qualification (preferably a Bcom Accounting or relevant Postgraduate qualification)
At least 10 years’ relevant work experience, including a minimum of 3 years’ financial and/or operations/administrative management experience in a comparable environment
Experience and/or knowledge of funder/donor budgeting and reporting
Experience managing and supervising staff
Experience monitoring and analysing budget trends
Strong writing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to engage people at different levels, e.g. community activists, peers, government officials and business
Competent in accounting software (e.g. Pastel) and MS Office (particularly Excel)
Able to do out of town travel (from time to time)
Valid unendorsed driver’s licence
KEY COMPETENCIES
Strategic planning experience
High standards of accountability
Attention to detail
ADVANTAGES
Ability to converse in Afrikaans and/or another South African Language (other than English)
Experience working in a donor funded organisation within the social justice sector
NB: SPP is committed to employment equity and all appointments are made in accordance with the Employment Equity Act and SPP’s internal policies.
View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application by Wednesday 10th February 2021 to [email protected]