Senior Officer, Regional Finance Operations (LAC)

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Officer, Regional Finance Operations (LAC) to join our global team.

Team Purpose
The purpose of the Regional Finance Operations team is to manage and lead the finance operations supporting global teams in based in Panama as well the regional programming managed out of Panama, ensuring effective and efficient payroll, payment, and treasury services. Our team is dedicated to maintaining robust financial controls, ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory requirements, and delivering financial and donor audits efficiently in line with local needs.

Role purpose
To provide efficient financial operations support to regional global teams and regional programs in LAC region, by leading on payroll, tax returns, payments to suppliers and partners, cash requests, audit support, and balance sheet control accounts.
 

Job Title: Senior Officer, Regional Finance Operations (LAC)

Reports To: Regional Programming Finance Operations Manager

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available 

Contract Length: 12 Months Fixed-term contract

Grade: P2

Location: Any existing SCI office location (but see time zone requirement). For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: Hiring Locations

Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): LAC Region Time Zone

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment. 

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 10%

Budget Responsibility: None

People Management Responsibility: None

Principle Accountabilities

• Manage regional programmes supplier payment processing to ensure timely and accurate disbursements, including partner payments, in line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Coordinate the payroll preparation process with HR. Review calculations from the payroll servicer provider for accuracy, pay staff on time, process payroll journals, and ensure tax and social security deductions are reported and payments made to local authorities on time to avoid penalties. 
• Request funds from the global treasury in line with the treasury guidelines and the GT operational needs.
• Process payment to staff members including staff expense reimbursements,  travel and program advances, and settlements.
• Post financial transactions in Agresso ensuring accuracy, completeness and adherence to monthly deadlines for balance sheet reconciliations and recharges to regional programmes.
• Prepare and deliver month-end reporting, including reconciliation of accounts, to provide stakeholders with accurate financial information and support decision-making processes.
• Coordinate year-end financial functions and provide comprehensive audit support for project-related inquiries, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and organizational standards.
• Review the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of ledger postings, including managing reallocation journals, accruals, and prepayments, to safeguard financial integrity and reliability.
• Lead responses to audit queries for the Finance Business Partnering team, ensuring transparent and efficient communication, while upholding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Supervise the regional programs finance operations officer
• Escalate any issues/risks impacting regional finance operations to the head of finance operations and systems
   

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Exceptional attention to detail with strong organisational skills to ensure accurate processing of payrolls and financial transactions.
2. Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with suppliers, partners, auditors, and internal stakeholders. Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and concisely.
3. Strong problem-solving skills to address financial discrepancies and compliance issues proactively.
4. Ability to analyse financial data, identify discrepancies, and adjust to maintain financial accuracy.
5. Experience in preparing and delivering financial reports, providing clear, accurate, and timely financial information to stakeholders.
6. Ability to adapt and take on new challenges in a dynamic organisational environment.
7. Self-motivated with good time management skills and ability to prioritise workload, anticipate requirements, work to tight deadlines and communicate decisions on a regular basis.
8. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and in other financial software.
9. English and Spanish language skills   

Desirable

• Experience in operating within the charity or non-profit sector in a large global multi currency organisation.

Education and Qualifications 

• Part qualified accountant or equivalent or relevant experience

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Our recruitment process:

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.