Finance and Compliance Manager at The Wellspring Foundation for Education (Wellspring)

WELLSPRING IS HIRING! 

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER 

The Wellspring Foundation for Education (Wellspring) is an International NGO whose vision is to be a catalyst for transforming education and to foster vibrant communities that address poverty in all its forms. Our mission is to seek justice, worth, and dignity for all those we engage with, as we show the love of Christ by empowering new generations through the development of quality education in Rwanda and Africa. Wellspring is registered as an INGO in Rwanda and as a charitable organization in Canada. 

Wellspring has been supporting children’s education in Rwanda for over 20 years. Through values-based training, coaching and mentoring, modelling and convening of school stakeholders, and an asset-based approach to school and community development, Wellspring equips schools and communities to educate, nurture, and empower children to thrive with love, character, and resilience. 

ABOUT WELLSPRING 

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER 

TITLE: Finance and Compliance Manager 

REPORTS TO: Director of Finance (Canada) 

MATRIX MANAGER: Director of People and Operations/Country Manager (Rwanda) 

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Team in Rwanda and Canada, Program Leads, Director of Grants and Program Quality, Logistics Team in Rwanda, IT & Data Protection Lead 

POSITION LOCATION: Kigali, Rwanda 

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Full-Time, Open-ended contract 

KEY EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Rwanda Social Security Board, Rwanda Governance Board, Banks, Insurance companies, Medical Insurance provider, Finance/Admin working group of the Network of International NGOs (NINGO) 

JOB SUMMARY 

The Wellspring Foundation for Education (Wellspring) is seeking an experienced Finance and Compliance Manager in Rwanda who will ensure the financial integrity and legal compliance of Wellspring in Rwanda, under the supervision of the Director of Finance (based in Canada), being responsible to and with support from the Director of People and Operations/Country Manager, and accountable to the Executive Director who is based in Rwanda. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, stewardship, servant leadership and accountability as a representative of Wellspring’s organizational culture and values both internally with the team and externally with clients and partners. He/she will provide both effective day-to-day financial management as well as strategic leadership, contributing to strengthened financial sustainability, effective and improved cashflow management, maximizing value for money, as well as ensuring donor and legal compliance in Rwanda, Canada and all other relevant locations. He/she will be meticulous about detail, having a can-do approach as a problem-solver and solutions seeker, with capacity to strengthen systems and seeking continuous improvement in Wellspring’s financial management and compliance. 

The successful candidate will model servant-leadership with team members and external stakeholders, and work pragmatically and effectively, intentionally developing cultural intelligence and interpersonal skills, as part of Wellspring’s global team. 

As part of the Rwanda Management Team, the Finance and Compliance Manager will contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of Wellspring’s Strategic Plan and impactful programming, and will contribute to building and living out Wellspring’s organizational culture and values. He or she will serve Wellspring in a representative capacity at all times, championing children’s education through our mission and ensuring that the organization does no harm to children. 

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP

•  Serve as a strategic advisor to Wellspring’s Finance Team and Rwanda Management Team on financial planning, resource allocation, and sustainability. 
• Contribute to country and global strategy by aligning financial management with programmatic priorities. 

FINANCIAL PLANNING, BUDGETING & REPORTING

• Lead the annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with donor and organisational guidelines. 
• Consolidate and review program budgets; provide technical support to budget holders. 
• Monitor budget execution, provide variance analysis, and recommend corrective actions. 
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management, donors, and headquarters. 

SYSTEMS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES

•  Ensure effective financial systems are in place for monitoring and compliance in line with local, Canadian and donor requirements. 
• Contribute to maintaining, reviewing and updating the Financial Controls and Compliance Manual as well as other related policy guidance, aligned with Board policies. 
• Lead the strengthening, implementation and monitoring of financial controls to ensure compliance with policies and reduce risk. 
• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and stewardship across the organisation. 

FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

•  Ensure adherence to all statutory requirements (tax, social security, labour, and NGO regulations). 
• Coordinate re-registration processes and other compliance-related requirements. 
• Ensure financial compliance with Wellspring’s internal controls and finance policies in line with both Rwandan and Canadian legislation. 
• Manage accounts payable/receivable and monthly reconciliations. 
• Produce monthly management financial analysis reports for leadership. 
• Promote value-for-money and stewardship across all financial processes. 
• Manage external and internal audits, ensuring timely monitoring and implementation of audit recommendations. 
• Establish and maintain robust archiving and documentation systems that support audit trails and compliance. 

GRANT MANAGEMENT

•  Contribute to and coordinate financial inputs during development of grant proposals.
• Lead grant budget monitoring, analysis and financial reporting for donors in collaboration with the Director of Grants and Education Programs Lead. 
• Ensure financial compliance with donor and partnership agreements. 
• Provide capacity strengthening for program managers on grant compliance and budget management. 
• Maintain organized grant records and audit trails. 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING

• Provide empowering direct supervision, coaching, and mentorship to finance colleagues. 
• Develop and monitor individual work plans, facilitate performance evaluations, and support career development for finance team members. 
• Contribute to strengthening the skills and understanding of non-finance managers and colleagues in finance and budget management through training, coaching, awareness raising and effective collaboration with peers. 
• Promote and model a values-based servant leadership style, fostering collaboration, empowerment, and high performance through coaching. 

LEADERSHIP & REPRESENTATION

•  Represent Wellspring by maintaining and developing strong relationships with key external stakeholders, such as financial institutions, government and regulatory authorities, and sector networks. 
• Play an active and collaborative role in overall management and leadership of Wellspring’s team and programs in Rwanda and East Africa through membership of the Rwanda Management Team. 
• As a member of the Rwanda Management Team, actively contribute to the development and monitoring of Wellspring’s strategic plan, contribute to strategies for financial sustainability, uphold Wellspring’s vision, mission, values and faith position, and model servant leadership for the team. 

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

• Always comply with Wellspring’s Child Safeguarding policy and procedures and champion this within all budgeting and grant-funded activities. 
• Ensure that children’s rights, safety, agency, and dignity are at the heart of budget-related decision-making and activities. 

OTHER DUTIES

• Actively participate in Wellspring’s spiritual and team rhythms. 
•  Undertake any other professional duties which may reasonably be delegated by Wellspring’s leadership in support of our mission and strategic plan, including contributing technically to other projects or programs. 

WORKING CONDITIONS / WHAT WE OFFER 

• A competitive compensation and benefits plan.
•  An engaged and positive work culture where employees are valued and celebration is embraced. 
•  Professional and personal development, and staff care.
• The opportunity to make a difference for children. 
• Regular connections with our program team in Rwanda to build understanding of Wellspring’s work, community and context, and visits to the sites of Wellspring programs. 
• Office-based work in a dynamic, playful and collegial environment. 
• Working regularly across time zones with Canadian colleagues. 
• Occasional work requirements outside of traditional hours for special projects. 
•  Manual dexterity is required to use a computer and peripherals. 
• Extensive visual concentration. 
• Attention to detail is required while subject to multiple interruptions. 
• Regular travel across Rwanda to locations of Wellspring programs, as required. 

Please email a PDF version of your: 

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability to this role (not longer than one page) 
• CV or resumé (not longer than 3 pages) 
• Statement of faith* (not longer than one page) 

In English to rwrecruitment@thewellspringfoundation.org  and copy amina@thewellspringfoundation.org .

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