Head of Finance (Fixed Term Contract for 2 Years, with a High Likelihood of Becoming Permanent)

HEAD OF FINANCE

INTRODUCTION TO GIRLS NOT BRIDES

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child marriage and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of over 1,400 civil society organisations in nearly 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women and their communities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage is seeking a Head of Finance to join its team based in London, UK. The successful individual will lead on strategic financial planning and financial day to day management at Girls Not Brides to advance our business model, financial sustainability and growth. The role ensures effective financial functions across the organisation, manages compliance with UK and overseas regulatory requirements, and works closely and hands on with other teams to oversee the preparation of proposals and budgets for prospective grants.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a passionate, talented senior finance professional with at least 5 years post qualified experience. You will have experience working in a similar senior-level finance role in the not-for-profit sector, international/intergovernmental organisation or social enterprise. You will have qualified and hold membership in a recognised professional accountancy body. Your qualification and experience will ensure you hold an advanced understanding of the principles underpinning financial management and planning, with significant all-round accounting, financial management, full grants cycle management, compliance, risk and financial sustainability experience. You will be experienced in year-end reporting and proficient in engaging with statutory and other auditors. Ideally you will bring experience gained in a similar international charity, working in a multi-currency environment.

Job location

London, UK (hybrid working two days a week onsite).

The successful candidate must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of applying and for the duration of the contract.

Fluency in English is essential for this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership

• Lead on strategic financial planning and financial management at Girls Not Brides to advance the organisation’s business model, financial sustainability, and growth through long-range financial projection and planning, maximisation of income, and strong financial reporting.
• Ensure that financial planning feeds into the organisation’s work planning process and supports the strategic objectives of the organisation.
• Support all Directors/Heads of teams to ensure ownership of financial planning, annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, cost management, priorities and activities, as best serves the mission of the organisation.
• Lead on financial risk management including the implementation of appropriate risk management strategies such as financial controls, fraud prevention and processes to ensure value for money, and conduct regular reviews of Girls Not Brides’ financial policies and processes.
• Provide critical financial information, analysis, advice and support on financial issues and emerging opportunities.
• Assume responsibility for managing, planning and monitoring the Finance department’s budget. 
• Provides leadership with regards to vision, purpose, and functions for the long-term development of the Finance Team.

Financial Management and Accounting

• Develop and maintain effective financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, production of quarterly management accounts, preparation of annual statutory accounts, and preparation of financial reports to Girls Not Brides’ funders, potential funders and the Board of Trustees.
• Manages timely, accurate and impactful quarterly management accounts to enable business planning and monitoring of organisational performance.
• Monitor financial performance, oversee reporting and cash flow management functions and systems.
• Develop and oversee robust and effective financial systems and processes for Girls Not Brides’ staff members based internationally.
• Ensure the smooth running of all accounting, financial transactions and evidence record keeping processes.
• Lead on procurement systems and implementation, identifying efficiencies and value for money.
• Manage and oversee internal control policies and procedures to ensure compliance across the organisation.
• Assume ownership of the organisation’s accounting system, including identifying and implementing measures to ensure strong efficiency.
• Ensure and manage an effective accounts payable function. Manage effective payroll, pensions and related employee benefit processes. 
• Manage the organisation’s foreign currency exchange policy and cash investment policy, ensuring compliance with donor terms.

Audit and Tax Compliance

• Manage compliance with UK and overseas legal, statutory accounting and regulatory requirements, including signing off on all statutory filings as required by the Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC and the Pension Regulator.
• Manage the production of the annual report and financial statements, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, SORP and accounting standards.
• Manage the external audit process and implementation of the audit findings.
• Oversee the project audits required by donors.

Grant Accounting and Compliance

• Work with the Development & Outreach Team, the Senior Finance & Grants Officer and the Senior Coordinator for Grants to oversee preparation of proposals and budgets for prospective grants.
• Supervise the preparation of all financial grant reporting, ensuring that the Development & Outreach team receive accurate and timely information for effective grant and donor management and compliance.
• Maximise cost-recovery from grants through strong financial planning and cost analysis processes, to ensure financial viability of projects and grant agreements.
• Provide support to, and build capacity of, other teams to support grant compliance as necessary. 
• Review, and as needed negotiate, the legal and financial provisions of grant agreements.
• Oversee and ensure all received grants are promptly recorded and acknowledged, as well as paid out and reported on in accordance with donor requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• ACA/ACCA/CCAB/CIMA qualified. 
• Significant professional post-qualified experience in a similar senior-level finance role in the not-for-profit sector, international/intergovernmental organisation or social enterprise
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant area such as accounting, finance or business administration, or equivalent professional experience.
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant UK charity statutory requirements e.g. SORP, Charity Accounting, IFRS/IAS.
• Advanced understanding of the principles underpinning financial and grant management and planning and of demonstrating impact and value for money.
• Significant all-round accounting, financial management, full grants cycle management, compliance, risk and financial sustainability experience, likely gained in an international charity, e.g. working in a multi-currency environment.
• Proven experience of presenting and working with Boards and Finance Committees.
• Proven experience with contracts and grants management, including cost recovery models and revenue management, as well as donor compliance and due diligence. 
• Demonstrated experience in strategic business planning and review.
• Demonstrated direct experience of financial reporting to a Board of Trustees and major donors.
• Experience of using multi-currency accounting systems, such as Sun Systems, SAP Concur, QuickBooks, Sage and other relevant systems.
• Good knowledge of using complex excel functions such as macros, vlookup, pivot, sumifs, data analysis.

Please see our website for the full job description.

How to apply

Girls Not Brides is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion in a serious way. We are committed to building a staff body that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Please note: There is one vacancy for the Head of Finance position, which is based in London. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of applying and for a minimum of two years.

The closing date for this role is 23:59 GMT on 10th August 2025.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on 14th or 15th August 2025. 

To apply, please click on the 'Apply now' button on the job page and submit your CV and a brief cover letter, clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria.

We encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we may close this vacancy early if we receive a very high number of applications and won't be able to accept further submissions.