Finance and Administration Manager
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Finance and Administration Manager to provide essential financial, administrative, governance, HR, IT and internal control services to the program operations whilst ensuring compliance with GAIN policies, systems and procedures. This role will be offered on an 18-month fixed term contract, subject to availability of funding and will be based in Cotonou, Benin.
This position ensures compliance with external requirements, such as local laws and regulations and donor, partner, service provider and vendor contractual obligations. They are responsible for safeguarding GAIN’s interest in these transactions and interactions, providing effective first level stewardship of GAIN’s assets, resources, staff and premises.
- Support Country Director on preparation of program budgets, analysis of grants and expenditure and develop suitable MIS (Management Information System) in coordination project managers.
- Prepare country budgets and finalize them in collaboration with HQ finance and program departments.
- In coordination with consultants and program teams at country office and headquarter, engage in timely preparation of budgets and quarterly pipelines.
- Ensure preparation and availability of statutory financial records (e.g. income tax return) and tax compliance and compliances relating to foreign grants.
- Ensure absolute integrity and transparency in the procurement function and ensure the best value for money is obtained and requirements of GAIN are met in a cost effective and timely fashion. Ensure timely and accurate payments to vendors.
- Oversee the proper upkeep and maintenance of office premises and working facilities like telephone system, photocopying machines and furniture to provide the best possible physical environment for staff to discharge their duties.
- Ensure all service contracts are valid and maintained.
- Ensure timely verification of stocks and assets, inventories at the office and project sites as deemed fit.
- Ensure that administrative, budgetary, procedural and accounting controls are complied with and improve them over time in accordance with international finance team guidelines.
- Monitor staff Contract Expiry date and ensure timely completion of Contract renewal and other formalities
- Ensure compliance with GED (Gender Equity and Diversity) and Anti-Harassment Policies of the mission.
- Support the program team to develop best practices on budgets and grants management that can attract potential donors.
About you
The ideal candidate should have solid experience in finance, budgeting and compliance. They should demonstrate knowledge managing donor grants inclusive of reporting and forecasting standards preferably with an international NGO setting. The candidate should be able to solve complex and diverse responsibilities while working closely with project teams to ensure smooth operations.
You should possess ability to develop costings and budgets for new project development, programme design team and the global finance team. You have experience running payroll, ensuring books of account are complete, accurate and updated, managing staff and ensuring compliance to organizational finance policies. You demonstrate expertise in local laws and regulations, donors, partners, service providers and vendor contractual obligations.
The post holder should have experience overseeing the administrative operations function of a country office with integrity. The candidate should possess a university degree in finance or business management or relevant field. Candidate with professional accounting qualification is highly desirable.
The starting gross salary on offer for this role is from XOF 17,076,732 - XOF 19,539,060 gross per annum, depending on experience.
GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance. We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible and hybrid working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.
GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments, and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with governments, businesses and civil society, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver healthier diets for all people, especially the most vulnerable.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has offices in countries with high levels of malnutrition: Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. To support work in those countries, we have representative offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food. Today, one in three people - drawn from nearly every country on the planet - are unable to consume enough nutritious food. We work to develop and deliver solutions to this daily challenge.
We provide a flexible working environment that includes a combination of home and office working opportunities through our global hybrid working policy. This encourages our staff to have a healthy work-life balance and increases staff motivation, enriches employee wellbeing, and improves performance and productivity.
All of our positions are based in one or more of GAIN’s designated offices as stated on our job advertisements. Successful candidates will be based in one of GAIN’s country offices and must have the existing right to live and work within a reasonably commutable distance of the relevant city / cities in which the role is advertised. Please note, that GAIN does not sponsor working visas and relocations.
GAIN reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment for candidates who are considered to ineligible under the above conditions during or after the recruitment process.
Applicants must have the right to work and be currently based in the advertised country location, to be eligible to apply for this position.
For more detailed information please see the attached job description. To apply, follow the "Apply Now" link.
This advert closes on 13th May 2025. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.
Our core values
GAIN is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All staff are expected to follow GAIN Values
Our commitment to safeguarding
GAIN is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all staff, volunteers, and job applicants are treated with dignity and respect. We are also committed to safeguarding the communities we work with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, exploitation and abuse of power or trust.
Safeguarding is integral to our recruitment practices, and we have robust procedures in place to prevent any form of harm, abuse, or discrimination. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, all successful candidates will undergo thorough background checks and vetting procedures, which can include references, criminal records and terrorist finance checks where applicable, in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.
We provide comprehensive training and support to our staff and volunteers and associates to raise awareness of safeguarding issues and ensure they are equipped to recognise and respond to concerns effectively.
By applying for a position with GAIN, you agree to uphold our safeguarding principles and contribute to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all individuals.