Senior Finance Business Partner

Senior Finance Business Partner

Application Deadline: 7 March 2025

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: London, UK

Compensation: £47,700 / year

Description

Programme: Finance

Purpose of Job

Reporting to the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, the Senior Finance Business Partner will play a critical role in supporting ODI Global's strategic decision-making and financial management processes. The post holder will lead on partnering with programme managers to provide insights, analysis, and advice on financial performance and strategic opportunities.

The Senior Finance Business Partner will work closely with a Finance Business Partner in supporting half of ODI Global's programmes. The other half of programmes will be supported by another Senior Finance Business Partner and Finance Business Partner pairing.

The Senior Finance Business Partner will deputise for the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis when needed.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Finance business partnering

• Lead on the provision of financial analysis and insights to inform strategic decision-making by programmes.
• Support the programme management team with financial proposals, financial management, and financial reporting relating to donor funds.
• Produce, communicate, and deliver robust financial plans for the programme; undertake regular forecasting and monitoring and reporting on performance against agreed budgets.
• Communicate matters relating to financial planning and operations, exchange ideas and best practices, develop excellent relationships across areas and contribute positively in all aspects of the Department's work.
• Work closely with programme colleagues during the monthly and quarterly close and associated forecast process including effective communications with programme and department staff.
• Ensure financial management information is presented in an accessible way and used as appropriate to monitor performance and to influence change alongside other data sources.
• Lead on ODI Global's data returns (i.e. International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard, Annual Return) and benchmarking exercises as required.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, applying appropriate professional standards and demonstrating a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services.
• Identify strategic opportunities and risks, and develop plans to capitalize on them or mitigate them.

Financial Management

• Oversee the monthly and quarterly closure tasks.
• Lead on the production of the programme level management accounts.
• Scrutinise, and confirm funding of all hiring decisions in consultation with Human Resources and programmes.
• Review and approve donor financial reports.
• Proactively contribute to all financial tools used, mainly the budget and reporting tool.
• Work closely with the financial control team to support the effectiveness and enhancement of ODI Global's transactional processing activities.
• Provide project related statutory reporting figures for the annual statutory accounts.

Leadership and Management

• Provide clear and visible leadership on financial management for programmes.
• Mentor and develop the Finance Business Partner.

Person Specification

• Knowledge and qualifications
• Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Current knowledge of relevant accounting standards and sector issues.
• Ability to present financial data to a high level of accuracy, including to a non-finance audience.

Experience

• A senior financial business partner role within a medium sized, non-profit organisation.
• Extensive experience in a donor funded environment.
• Line management and staff development and motivation experience.
• Experience in development of financial systems and processes.

Skills/Abilities

• Financial management and analysis skills.
• Strategic thinking and collaborative strategy development.
• Effective teamwork, inter-personal and collaboration skills.
• Strong line management skills.
• Values-driven and exceptional integrity, including ensuring a safe working environment and equal opportunities for all.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.

Key Relationships and Contacts:

• Senior Finance Business Partner.
• Head of Financial Planning and Analysis.
• Heads of Strategic Operations.
• Programme Directors.
• Heads of ODI Global functional teams.
• Programme management unit.
• Auditors and financial regulators.

All staff are expected to

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI Global and externally.
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues' Health and Safety.
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their manager.

Why should you work for us?

ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Benefits
We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page .