Senior Finance Manager- Solomon Islands

Senior Finance Manager
Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ)

Background

The Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ) continues Australia’s long-running support to the Solomon Islands justice sector. Its goal is to work closely with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to enable justice agencies to maintain delivery of their existing core activities while clearly identifying and engaging with fundamental problems and critical issues affecting their ability to contribute to stability and offer access to justice for citizens.

ASIPJ aspires to be locally led, problem-oriented and learning driven. It is pragmatic, practical, and adaptable, mainstreaming gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). Deloitte is the Managing Contractor, working with Adam Smith International (ASI) who provides the program operational support.

Role dimensions

Overview

The Senior Finance Manager will oversee all financial management functions for ASIPJ, ensuring responsive and flexible program implementation while maintaining rigorous oversight of financial activities. Key responsibilities will include:

• Timely and accurate management of the accounts payable processes, including the review and verification of invoices for proper authorisation.
• Managing petty cash, advances and acquittals, and processing payroll and taxes.
• Management of bank accounts, cash flow, and reconciliation of accounts.
• Generating financial reporting and forecasting for DFAT, company accounts and regulatory reporting.

Through meticulous and transparent bookkeeping, the Senior Finance Manager will uphold compliance with policies and procedures outlined in the program’s Operations Manual and ASI’s Policies, Financial Manuals, and Guidelines. This role will also involve strategic forward planning of financial resources, budgeting for operations and workplans, and ensuring timely disbursement of funds in alignment with program objectives. Additionally, the Senior Finance Manager will be responsible for maintaining accurate and detailed records to facilitate successful audits.

Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Finance Manager will include:

• Support the ASIPJ Country Program Manager and ASI Program Manager in regularly reviewing the policies and procedures in the Operations Manual, implement operational policies and procedures and ensure staff are trained and competent in the use of these policies, especially around financial management.

• Oversee the fiduciary aspects of all ASIPJ activities and ensure adherence to DFAT and Solomon Islands Government guidelines, laws and/or regulations.
• Ensure all payments made from ASIPJ are in accordance with ASIPJ, ASI, and DFAT policies and procedures.
• Manage the ASIPJ’s bank account, including monitoring balances, verifying funds received/sent, bank reconciliations.
• Ensure program finances are well planned, and funds are available to support operations, this will include preparing cash-flow forecasts and the program’s fund transfer requests.
• Support the Country Program Manager and work with ASI Program Manager to ensure ASIPJ is compliant with SIG requirements (including registration, tax and importing exemptions for goods and assets) as well as annual statutory reporting requirements.
• Manage the accounts payable process in line with ASI guidelines and processing of payroll for locally engaged staff, including regulatory deductions.
• Manage petty cash and maintain a full and accurate filing system for receipts.
• Oversee tax processes and ensure tax payments and other contributions are remitted to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
• With the Finance Officer, organise and maintain comprehensive program financial files and ensure that all records are compliant with legal and donor agency requirements.
• Work closely with ASIPJ team members and the in-country leadership team to provide guidance on the costing of proposed activities and the structure of partnership agreements/grants in line with the Australian Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
• Oversee the release and acquittals of advances to ASIPJ staff, advisers, and key stakeholders.
• Assist the ASIPJ Country Program Manager, ASI Program Manager and ASIPJ Operations Hub in the oversight of activities’ financial management, including budget management, estimates of expenditure, acquittal and invoicing processes are timely and accurate.
• Prepare highly accurate monthly and annual financial reports and maintain financial records in accordance with the program budget and update the budget against actual expenditures.
• Support regular spot-checks in the preparation for, and assist with, external and internal audits.
• Support the ASIPJ Country Program Manager and ASI Program Manager to ensure program financial risks are identified and monitored, and adequate mitigation measures are in place.
• Contribute to periodic reports and plans and contribute to financial inputs in reports to ASIPJ and DFAT.
• Provide capacity building support and advice to ASIPJ partners/grantees in the establishment of financial management and reporting systems (if required).
• Act as a trusted representative of ASIPJ, displaying professionalism and discretion in all interactions with the ASIPJ team, partners and the wider public.
• Other duties related to financial management as reasonably requested by the ASIPJ Team Leader, Country Program Manager and/or the ASI Program Manager.

Skills and experience required

The ideal candidate will have:

• A relevant university degree or diploma with at least five years of experience in a similar role.
• Extensive experience in financial management for businesses and/or donor-funded programs.
• Excellent organisational skills and integrity in maintaining records.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collegially with partner organisations.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office programs, particularly Excel and other accounting software.
• Driving Licence.

Reporting Requirements:

The Senior Finance Manager will report to the ASIPJ Country Program Manager and directly work with the Finance Officer, Operations and Procurement Officer, and the Office Assistant.

How to apply:

Please submit your application to: hr.asipj@asipj.com.sb

Please use the following Subject: [Candidate Name] - ASIPJ Senior Finance Manager

Applications should include a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the position selection criteria, a CV of no more than four pages and the contact details of three professional referees, including your current/last employer.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, we encourage you to reach out to ASIPJ Operations Team via hr.asipj@asipj.com.sb or call ASIPJ Office +677 26530.

The Senior Finance Manager position is open to Solomon Islands citizens and those with an existing right to live and work in Solomon Islands.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. ASIPJ may make an appointment at any time if an exceptional candidate is identified early in the process. As such, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.