Finance Head - Africa

Job Summary

The Finance Head - Africa takes the financial lead role in the Africa Market, i.e., the countries of our operation in Africa

He/she provides financial stewardship and overview of all financial activities of the markets in Africa, including budget planning across all countries, provides analysis/offers insights and suggestions to drive value creation across the various functions, and supports financial decision-making.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnering & Support:

Set the overall strategic direction for Africa finance, drive performance, efficiency, and results through a team of inspired and motivated members as well and build collaboration across the functions in a synergistic manner guided by the mission and vision, core values, and established Group-wide systems, policies, and processes.

Provide a strategic analysis of the overall financial performance of the Africa region; provide high-quality financial information, ensure that risks and opportunities are highlighted, and communicated in a timely manner for decision-making.

Analyse and challenge the business operation to identify improvement opportunities.

Participate actively in both long-term (strategic) and short-term (tactical) business planning to achieve business objectives.

Create value every day through insightful analysis of the operational and financial performance of the unit.

Conduct region-comprehensive analyses and financial insights on value-creation, ROI, profitability on program/initiatives valuation, strategic and long-term investments, and new opportunities to provide fit-for-purpose information and aid business decision-making

Control expenditures of the unit against agreed budgets.

Financial Reporting and Regulatory:

Aligning with the EWIT team to manage budgeting, accounting, and reporting of OPEX and CAPEX for the Tanzania and Africa markets.

Drive period-end financial reporting, ensuring the costs are properly accounted for.

Draw a financial strategy to work in these markets for maximising business, optimal utilisation of resources, and managing compliance.

Preparation of the monthly management pack and identifying and reporting key performance indicators for the business. Ensure their accuracy and timeliness, working closely with the business to provide direction.

Seek improvements in working practices and reporting, in particular, to ensure operational areas are recording commitment and expenditure effectively.

Compliance and Risk Management

Develop a good understanding of the regulatory environment and related challenges (such as FOREX risk, taxation, and changing regulatory and geo-political environment) and provide solutions and manage risk.

Ensure that best practices are applied with proper operating procedures.

Ensure proper internal controls are in place and regularly checked via regular internal and external audit processes.

Develop and maintain a risk register and escalate issues promptly.

Manage the external audit processes and relationships with external auditors.

People and Capability Building

Build and leverage formal and informal high-performing, cross-boundary partnerships.

Build and develop a team in legal entity countries of capable and competent finance professionals who are inspired and engaged to deliver their best and are aligned with the EWS vision, mission, and values.

Minimum Requirements (Education, Experience, Skills)

Bachelor's Degree in accounting or finance, CA/CPA qualified preferred

Candidates must have 8+ years’ experience in a finance leadership role demonstrating strong technical and analytical skills and a track record of success working in a team-based environment. Candidates with good regional experience managing multiple countries are preferred.

Knowledge and experience in life science, pharmaceutical, and FMCG industries is preferred, but not required.

Track record of partnering productively with accounting functions to support monthly & quarterly close activities.

Advanced experience globally working with multidisciplinary/cross-cultural teams

Demonstrate strong knowledge of bookkeeping, IFRS, budgeting and costing, and financial reporting and working knowledge of taxation (domestic and international) and regional laws and regulations

Required Competencies

Core competencies

Business insight

Making complex decisions

Customer focus

Communicates effectively

Accountability and drive for results

Collaborates

Balancing stakeholders

Self-development

Leadership competencies

Business insight

Strategic mindset

Making complex decisions (managing complexity, decision quality and balancing stakeholders)

Building effective teams

Drives vision and purpose

Instills trust