Job Opportunities in United Kingdom

MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS: Accounting, Bookkeeping, Grant Compliance, Biblical Stewardship, Training
SUMMARY:


As the Finance and Grants Officer, you will bring together Christian faith and financial expertise to support our ministry’s aims and objectives locally and internationally. You will administer the finances of Children of the Nations UK & Ireland and, as part of a dynamic International Grant Compliance team, you will have responsibilities related to the different stages of grants. You will support our international grantees to achieve excellence in financial management, stewardship and reporting, in accordance with the Christian principles and ethos with which the charity operates. This will involve comprehensive reviews of grantee finance reporting, flagging areas of concern and assisting with subsequent communication. You will also identify training needs and provide consultation support and spiritual encouragement to finance staff supporting the direct care of children in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

Full job profile link: https://go.cotni.org/finance-officer


YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR…

• Praying with and for each COTNI grantee with which the post-holder is working.
• Providing oversight to monthly granting process, ensuring funds are granted in line with commitments made to grantees and monthly transfers are documented and authorized appropriately.
• Managing completion of COTNI finance standards assessment with grantees and monitoring corrective action progress.
• Identifying areas of training needed by grantee finance staff and facilitating the completion of this training according to an agreed schedule.
• Providing consultation support for grantee finance staff, including supporting a full transition to Quick Books Online.
• Making recommendations regarding potential efficiency savings and overall process improvement.
• Administering the finances of COTN UK & Ireland, processing donations, gift aid, payments, international transfers, managing payroll and preparing budgets and reports.
  
• Advocating for the work of COTN UK & Ireland among church contacts and others who are likely to be supportive of the aims of the charity.
• Representing Children of the Nations – in particular its Christian mission - to partners and at events, fundraisers and conferences, when required.
• Reviewing exchange rates and economic trends in each grantee's country.
• Ensuring consistent updating and adherence to the Common Chart of Accounts.
• Mentoring grantee in biblical principles of accounting, service, stewardship and prayer.
• Reviewing reports of external auditors for each grantee annually and identifying areas of concern.
• Analyzing grantee monthly reporting to ensure completion, identifying inaccuracies and budget variance and supporting International Liaison and Grant Compliance Officers to resolve any issues arising.
• Supporting the Annual Operational Plan Budget process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards, creating an annual consolidated budget and corresponding Grant Disbursement letters.

YOU MUST HAVE…

• Accounting technician qualification (AAT/MIATI or equivalent) or part-qualified accountant (CAI/ACCA/ACA or equivalent).
• Experience of international Christian ministry (in a paid or voluntary capacity)
• Minimum of 3 years' experience within an Accounting Role.
• Detailed knowledge of Quick Books
• Detailed understanding of Biblical Stewardship and its application
• Excellent numerical skills with the ability to analyse data, statistics and review budgets and expenditure
• Ability to lead prayer meetings and pray for others one on one
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work cross-culturally with sensitivity
• Ability to run face to face and remote training and to mentor international teams
• Strong computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office applications
• Proven organisational skills and the ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines
• Personal faith in Jesus and a passion for reaching the world with the Gospel
• Strong commitment to uphold the vision and mission statements of the employer
• Strong commitment to prayer
• Personal integrity and trustworthiness
• Willing to work flexibly, including evening working

IT’S AN ADDED PLUS IF YOU HAVE…

• Full driving licence (and access to a car)
• Experience working for a charity or Christian mission agency in a similar finance role
• Experience of public speaking in a church context
• Payroll experience
• Knowledge of financial legislation relating to charities
• Proficiency in French and/or Spanish
• Willingness to travel internationally if necessary

Only those applicants who appear from the information contained in the application forms to be the most suitable in terms of relevant experience and ability will be short-listed for interview. You should note that candidates who do not demonstrate how they fulfill all of the essential criteria will not be shortlisted for interview. The employer reserves the right to shortlist on the essential criteria only or on the essential and desirable criteria as identified in the Person Specification as may be appropriate. It is essential that you fully describe in each section how you meet the particular experience and qualities sought, giving examples and specifying exact dates as appropriate.

BENEFITS, PERKS, & OUR TEAM…
We have the joy of working hard to change children’s lives every day and are passionate about taking care of our teams!

Children of the Nations offers flexibility in where/when you work and we are dedicated to helping staff grow professionally and thrive in their roles. We take time for prayer and connection with one another, read books together, and enjoy having fun too!


This is a work from home position, with weekly meetings in Belfast.

We pursue excellence in all we do and strive to be:

• RESPECTFUL: We are gracious, friendly, and treat each other with honour.
• GLOBAL: We value and promote cultural diversity. We actively study and work to understand all cultures represented within the COTN Global Alliance.
• ADAPTABLE: We seek to be open-minded and see challenges as opportunities to be innovative.
• ENGAGED: We are proactive, committed and solution-driven in our work, continually seeking to improve and expand the ministry.
• COLLABORATIVE: We work together and support and learn from one another in a spirit of helpfulness.

ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW
We believe all children deserve the chance to reach their full potential! At Children of the Nations (COTN), we are dedicated to raising children out of poverty and hopelessness so they can become leaders who transform their nations. We currently provide care to orphans and children from the most destitute situations in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. We work through local partners to provide long-term holistic care for children – we have a Children’s Homes Program for children who have been orphaned, Village Partnership Program for children living with destitute families or caregivers who cannot properly provide for them, and a University & Vocational Program to provide continued education and support for youth finishing secondary school…helping them reach their fullest potential! We believe true, lasting, and meaningful change to families, communities, and nations takes place when you deeply invest in children, so they are our mission. Join us and you will help children go from living on the street to graduating from college and becoming entrepreneurs, teachers, and doctors! For more information, visit cotni.org and cotnukireland.org!

Data Protection Statement

The information that you provide on your application form and that obtained from other relevant sources will be used to process your application for employment. The personal information that you give us will also be used in a confidential manner to help us monitor our recruitment process.

If you succeed in your application and take up employment, the information will be used in the administration of your employment. The employer may also use the information if there is a complaint or challenge relevant to this recruitment process.

The employer may check the information collected with third parties or with any other information held by the employer. We may also use or pass to third parties, information to prevent or detect crime, to protect public funds, or in other ways as permitted by law.

By submitting an application it will be assumed that you agree to the processing of sensitive personal data (as described above), in accordance with the principles set out in Data Protection Legislation.