HEAD OF FINANCE

JOB DESCRIPION

Job Title: Head of Finance

Reports To: Group CFO

Job Purpose:

This senior leadership role requires a commercially astute, technically proficient finance professional capable of managing multi-entity consolidation, investor reporting, ERP implementation, and team development while ensuring institutional-grade financial controls.

The Head of Finance is the second-in-command to the Group CFO, responsible for day-to-day leadership of finance operations across all Group entities. In the CFO's absence, the Head of Finance assumes full operational responsibility for the finance function.

Responsibilities

1. Financial Reporting and Management Accounts

• Prepare and present monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cashflow) with variance analysis and timely explanations of drivers and recommended corrective actions
• Execute the Group consolidation process across all subsidiaries in accordance with IFRS, ensuring accurate intercompany eliminations
• Manage the integrity of the general ledger and ensure timely preparation of annual audited financial statements, coordinating with external auditors
• Maintain the Group's financial reporting calendar and prepare Board-ready financial packs in collaboration with the Group CFO

2. Budgeting, Forecasting, and Financial Planning

• Execute the annual budgeting process, working with department heads across the Group to develop bottom-up cost budgets
• Ensure the project cashflow model is prepared and maintained accurately for portfolio performance tracking and scenario planning
• Support the Group CFO proactively on OPEX and CAPEX cost control, challenging assumptions and making evidence-based recommendations

3. Treasury, Cash Management, and Banking

• Oversee the daily treasury function, ensuring adequate liquidity across all Group entities and proactively flagging cashflow and liquidity issues to the Group CFO
• Supervise the Treasury and Account Receivable (AR) Accountant in executing cashflow forecasts, bank reconciliations, and payment processing with daily reporting
• Monitor and manage FX exposure across all relevant currencies, escalating material risks to the Group CFO
• Maintain Group banking relationships across all operating countries, enforce Delegation of Authority for all payment approvals, and support the Group CFO in managing Group- level treasury consolidation

4. Revenue Assurance and Collections

• Assume overall responsibility for invoicing accuracy, revenue recognition compliance (IFRS 15/16/9), and Expected Credit Loss provisioning
• Oversee accounts receivable aging, drive collections activity, and escalate chronic overdue balances to the Group CFO and commercial teams
• Monitor and minimize revenue leakage through proactive reconciliation of billing versus contract terms

5. Internal Controls, Compliance, and Governance

• Act as primary custodian of the Group's financial policies, procedures, and internal control framework on behalf of the Group CFO
• Maintain audit-ready documentation across all finance processes and lead preparation of all audit schedules and deliverables for the annual statutory audit
• Ensure compliance with all tax obligations across jurisdictions (VAT, WHT, corporate income tax, payroll taxes) and investor covenants
• Liaise effectively with third-party partners including tax advisors, legal consultants, external auditors, and statutory regulatory bodies

6. ERP Systems and Financial Technology

• Play a central role in the implementation and go-live of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, ensuring proper configuration of chart of accounts, dimension coding, and intercompany setup
• Oversee data migration from QuickBooks and lead post-go-live stabilization, user training, and system optimization
• Champion opportunities for automation, process digitalization, and bank integration within the finance function

7. Investor Relations and Management

• Support the Group CFO in preparing all required investor and lender reporting packages and maintaining a structured investor reporting calendar
• Support due diligence processes, ensuring quality and timeliness of all financial information provided

8. Finance Team Leadership and Development

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and performance management of the Group’s finance team, setting KPIs and conducting performance reviews
• Oversee and review staff payroll processing, ensuring all statutory deductions are correctly applied in accordance with local labor laws
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement, identify capability gaps and support recruitment of specialist finance talent as the Group grows

9. Procurement Oversight Support

• Support the Group CFO in supervising the procurement function, reviewing major capex documentation for budget compliance and proper authorization
• Work with project teams to align procurement planning with project financial models and monitor supplier payment cycles.

10. Business Development and Strategic Finance Support

• Provide financial analysis and modelling support to commercial and Business Development teams for new market entry opportunities
• Support the Group CFO in evaluating M&A opportunities and preparing the Group for exit-readiness

Experience, Qualifications, and Skills

Required Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Master’s degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) strongly preferred
• Certified accountant in CA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3 years in a senior finance management role
• Experience in multi-entity, multi-currency, project-based environments (renewable energy, infrastructure, or private equity-backed businesses preferred)

Technical Skills

• Strong IFRS knowledge (IFRS 9, 15, 16) and Group consolidation
• Proficiency in ERP systems (Dynamics 365 Business Central preferred) and advanced Excel
• Understanding of GL structures, dimension coding, and intercompany accounting
• Familiarity with West African tax regimes is advantageous

Leadership and Soft Skills

• Proven ability to lead and develop multi-locational finance teams
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to translate financial data into business insights
• Excellent communication skills in English; French is a strong advantage
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Strong ethical standards, integrity, and collaborative approach to stakeholder management