Overview
The Programme Finance Manager leads financial management for the IRC UK RAI programme, acting as the programme team’s day-to-day finance partner. The role drives high-quality financial processes across the full programme cycle and builds the capacity of the wider programme team on finance processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the IRC UK RAI annual planning cycle, developing financially sound programme strategies and multi-year budget frameworks.
- Provide strategic financial insight and analysis to inform programme decisions.
- Develop multi-year financial models and funding scenarios.
- Partner with programme leads to shape new business and funding strategies.
- Lead on the preparation of project budgets for proposals.
- Coordinate with IRC’s global headquarters on updating and maintaining the operating budget and reforecasts.
- Prepare budget guidelines and scenario plans.
- Provide programme and senior management staff with monthly Budget vs Actual reports.
- Prepare monthly management accounts and present at senior management review meetings.
- Lead on Grant Opening, Review and Closure Meetings.
- Review funding opportunities to assess financial risk and viability.
- Support programme design to ensure financial viability and adherence to contract terms.
- Analyse reporting terms and ensure conditions are met.
- Attend external stakeholder meetings and lead financial presentations.
- Provide capacity-building support to implementing partners on financial management and compliance.
- Review partner budgets, due diligence and pricing.
- Assess reporting requirements, carry out financial reviews and approvals, and ensure appropriate and timely payments to partners.
- Maintain and enforce internal financial controls.
- Identify and implement improvements to financial controls and risk management processes.
- Prepare and maintain a programme-level financial risk register.
- Lead on audit readiness.
- Act as the primary finance contact for any donor or statutory audits.
- Maintain the integrity of IRC accounts through timely reviews, correction journals and reconciliations.
- Prepare monthly salary allocation splits.
- Prepare invoices, post into the accounting system and manage aged debt and receivables.
- Support smooth monthly financial closings.
- Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and development support to the Programme Finance Officer.
- Set clear objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones and carry out annual performance reviews for direct report.
- Support the professional development of the Programme Finance Officer.
- Manage workload distribution within the team.
- Create and lead finance training for non-finance colleagues.
- Ensure completeness of grant financial documentation.
- Proactively seek out and implement process improvements.
- Complete all other tasks as required by the Financial Controller, Director of Programmes UK and Regional Finance Deputy Director.
Required Experience
- In financial management and monitoring, specifically supporting programmes.
- Budgeting, reforecasting and donor financial reporting.
- Contributing to strategic financial planning or multi-year budget development.
- In grants and contract management for donor-funded projects.
- Line managing or supervising staff.
- Contributing to audit processes and maintaining audit-ready financial records.
Qualifications
Qualified Accountant (CCAB or equivalent).
