Manager - Fianance & Pensions at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation - Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is the oldest and largest Commonwealth intergovernmental organisation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Being fully involved in the development and use of ICTs for social and economic development, the management of the organisation recognise that it must stay at the cutting edge of ICT developments in order to deliver significant benefits to its members.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the CTO London, United Kingdom, seeks to recruit Commonwealth employees who are committed to the vision and mission of the CTO, and the wider development of the Commonwealth in the capacity below:

Job Title: Manager - Fianance & Pensions

Location: 64-66 Glenthorne Road London, W6 0LR
Department: Finance and Pensions
Reporting to: Secretary-General (SG)
Hours of work: 40 hours per week including one unpaid hour for lunch each day.

Job Purpose

• As part of the senior management team, the Manager - Finance and Pensions will be responsible for the management of overall finance systems and the administration of Pensions
• Manager – Finance and Pensions, heads the Finance and Pensions department which is a key position within the organisation. In addition to managing all finance related activities, the post holder will also be required to manage the pension schemes of the CTO
• Applications are open to candidates with extensive work experience, a sound knowledge of finance management, a willingness to take on new challenges, have the confidence and communications skills to deal with high level decision makers, could prioritise effectively and deliver to high standards.

Department Purpose

• The Manager - Finance and Pensions has specific responsibilities to ensure that the organisation’s financial resources are managed to a high level and with the utmost propriety.
• He/she will also be responsible for developing and coordinating the strategic financial direction of the organisation together with providing the strategic leadership, management and coordination for CTO’s Finance affairs and Pensions in order to deliver the organisation’s strategic plan.
• The Department’s main objectives are managing and coordinating the CTO’s financial activities including budgets and financial analysis, cash flow management, application of financial regulations, revenue generation, accounting records, salary payments, assets management, relations with external auditors, manage the CTO’s pension schemes, liaise with the fund managers and the Pension Administrators and attend to the compliances with the Pension Regulator

Working Relationships

• Posts that this job manages: all staff of the Finance and Pensions Department
• Other Key Relationships: Must have regular coordination meetings with the Heads of all Departments and Divisions in order to ensure a smooth working relationship between all Departments and the requirements of the organisation

Note: The incumbent shall work such additional time beyond the contractual minimum as may reasonably be required to fulfil the organisation’s work requirements.
Remuneration will not apply for such additional work.

Main Responsibilities (by Function)
Finance:

• Coordinate the strategic financial direction of the organisation in order to deliver the organisation’s strategic plan;
• Ensure that the CTO budget supports the Strategic Plan;
• Develop and maintain effective systems of budgeting and financial management for CTO’s activities;
• Develop and maintain effective systems and procedures to manage financial and business risks and safeguard CTO’s assets;
• Ensure full compliance with the CTO’s Financial Regulations;
• Drive organisational performance against budgets, KPIs and strategic aims;
• Oversee management reporting to budget-holders & financial returns;
• Prepare monthly and quarterly assessment of budget performance – actual versus budget;
• Manage the finance team to ensure effective financial control, accurate and timely processing, and full compliance with the CTO financial regulations and best practice in respect of VAT, payroll, tax and statutory returns;
• Take overall responsibility for the preparation of draft and final annual accounts and of the audit process for the CTO accounts;
• Advise the organisation on new and emerging financial issues;
• Ensure timely submission of VAT returns;
• Monitor and interpret cash flows and predict future trends;
• Ensure timely invoicing and follow-up;
• Ensure timely payments of Pensions and Salaries;
• Actively seek out and promote initiatives that improve and maximise efficiency and make best use of resources.

Pensions:

• Oversee the organisation’s pension responsibilities and ensure that all statutory requirements are fulfilled;
• Manage Pension Liability;
• Liaise with the Manager Human Resource & Admin in respect of Pension entitlements;
• Supervise the overall administration of the CTO’s pension schemes;
• Develop pension policies as well as pension and benefit packages;
• Ensure that the Pension schemes operate effectively and meet performance, quality and customer care targets as well as complying with industry standards;
• Monitor pension scheme deficits and prepare relevant reports;
• Liaise with pension administrators, fund managers and other external parties;
• Inform the Pension scheme trustees of the latest developments in pension regulation;
• Raise organisation-wide awareness of pension-related matters.

Staff Management:

• Manage the Finance & Pensions Department, consisting of day to day staff management;
• Leading and motivating the Finance & Pensions Department team through a culture that inspires achievement, excellence, high ethical values, diversity, transparency and competence;
• Ensuring that staff within the Department respond effectively to the service level agreements with other Departments that are necessary for the delivery of the organization’s activities.
• Facilitate a working environment that inspires and motivates through professionalism, transparency, competence, skills development, and staff appreciation.

Risk Management:

• Serve as primary contact in addressing financial issues, pensions and relations with external auditors.

Other:

• Undertake any other duties in his/her speciality that may be assigned by the Secretary-General.

Key Deliverables

• Provision of a clear strategic direction for the CTO’s Financial and Pension schemes and effective delivery of departmental outputs in the context of the Strategic Plan for 2016-20;
• Timely Preparation of Profit and Loss (P&L) and Assets and Liability (A&L) statements, monthly reconciliation reports, including debtors accounts;
• Proper maintenance of financial records and timely preparation of accurate accounts for internal and external purposes;
• Effective budget management including timely preparation of 4-year operational budget and regular assessments of budget performances;
• Prudent management of CTO finances and operating with a positive cashflow;
• Prudent management of CTO finances and continuous introduction of cost saving measures;
• Full compliance with CTO Financial Regulations and budget approval process;
• Effective management of CTO assets including building insurance;
• Prompt payment of salaries, pensions, National Insurance contributions and other liabilities owed by the CTO;
• Prompt submission of invoices due to the CTO including VAT returns;
• Recovery of debts including timely resolution of disputes;
• Effective management of the Pension Funds and resolution of pension liabilities;
• Timely preparation of audited accounts including final accounts for the Executive Committee and the Council;
• Leading and motivating the Finance and Pensions Department team through a culture that inspires professionalism, achievement, excellence, high ethical vales, diversity, transparency, competence and staff appreciation;
• Ensuring that the staff within the Department respond effectively to the service level agreements with other Departments required for the delivery of the organisation’s activities;
• Raise the profile of the CTO.

Essential  Requirements

• ACA or ACCA Qualified or equivalent
• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience
• Experience in Sage 100 or 200
• Broad knowledge of finance and accounting and, in particular, IFRS standards
• Good IT skills, particularly Excel
• The ability to manage staff and contracted parties and suppliers
• High degree of commercial awareness and business acumen
• Experience of preparing financial reports and presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment with other team members
• Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting demands
• Multitasking skills
• Experience of working in a membership organisation will be an added qualification

Remuneration

• Starting salary will range from £36,360 p.a. to £42,536 p.a. depending on the qualifications and experiences.
• Benefits include 25 days holiday per year, contributory pension scheme, medical insurance, travel season ticket loan, support for training and development, a performance-based annual bonus, subsidy for gym membership, provision for flexible working and a great working environment.
• You must be a national of a CTO Full Member Country

Application Clsoing Date
13th June, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae and the Application Form below to: [email protected]

Click Here to Download Application Form (PDF)