Finance & Delivery Lead – Job Description

1. Role Purpose

The Finance & Delivery Lead is responsible for overseeing the effective financial, operational and programme delivery management of the programme across both the Financial Services Pillar (FSP) and Open Trade Pillar (OTP). The role provides overall leadership and coordination of programme budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, operational delivery oversight, compliance and reporting at the country level.

The role leads coordination of contractual obligations, programme milestones, reporting requirements and non-technical engagement with FCDO, ensuring that programme management and reporting requirements are delivered accurately and on time in coordination with the Cadmus London based Programme Manager.

The role ensures that robust systems, controls and reporting mechanisms are in place across both projects, supporting effective programme delivery, financial oversight and compliance with Cadmus and FCDO requirements. The role also provides line management and oversight of the Finance & Accounting Manager and Admin & Logistics Manager functions.

2. Authority & Decision-Making

The Finance & Delivery Lead has authority over programme-level financial management, operational delivery coordination, forecasting, reporting and budget oversight processes across both FSP and OTP.

The role is responsible for consolidating and managing programme budgets across technical workstreams, including consultant contracts, operational expenditure and delivery costs, based on inputs from Technical Workstream Managers, the Finance & Accounting Manager and the Admin & Logistics Manager.

The role has authority to oversee financial, operational, administrative and reporting processes and controls, ensuring activities are delivered in line with approved budgets, agreed task orders, Cadmus procedures and FCDO requirements.

The role is responsible for coordinating programme-wide reporting, contractual milestones and responses to non-technical FCDO requests, and for overseeing forecasting, expenditure monitoring and variance analysis processes, proactively escalating financial and delivery risks to Programme Leadership and Cadmus HQ.

3. Not Accountable For

The Finance and Delivery Lead supports programme delivery, operational planning and financial management but does not approve technical approaches, technical deliverables or programme results frameworks.

4. Performance Expectations

Success in this role is reflected in strong financial oversight, accurate forecasting, reliable operational coordination and effective programme delivery support across both FSP and OTP.

Programme budgets, forecasts and expenditure tracking tools are maintained accurately and consistently, providing clear visibility of financial performance, utilisation, commitments and delivery risks.

Financial and programme reporting obligations are delivered accurately, on time and in compliance with Cadmus and FCDO requirements.

Financial, operational and delivery risks are proactively identified, managed and escalated, enabling timely decision-making and smooth programme implementation.

Internal finance, administrative and operational processes function efficiently and reliably, with clear coordination between technical, operational and finance teams and no disruptions to programme delivery.

5. Core Responsibilities

Financial Management & Forecasting

·       Lead programme-level financial management, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning across both FSP and OTP.

·       Oversee the development and management of programme, workstream and consultant contract budgets, including LoE, deliverables, fee structures and milestone payment arrangements.

·       Lead programme forecasting, financial reporting and budget review processes for FCDO, Programme Leadership and Cadmus HQ, including consolidation of workstream forecasts, revenue forecasting, expenditure projections and responses to ad hoc financial management requests.

·       Oversee programme financial performance, expenditure, commitments and budget utilisation across FSP and OTP, identifying risks, variances and delivery pressures and coordinating corrective actions where required.

·       Support budget revisions, reforecasting, financial scenario planning and other strategic financial management activities as required.

Governance, Compliance and Risk Management

·       Ensure compliance with Cadmus policies and procedures, FCDO requirements and relevant local regulatory obligations across all programme activities.

·       Oversee the implementation of appropriate financial controls, reporting systems, documentation standards and audit processes to support effective governance, compliance and assurance.

·       Monitor financial, operational and compliance risks and ensure appropriate mitigation and escalation to Programme Leadership and Cadmus HQ where required.

Team Management & Coordination

·       Provide line management and oversight to the Finance & Accounting Manager and Admin & Logistics Manager roles.

·       Coordinate workflows and responsibilities across finance, administration and operational delivery functions to support effective programme implementation.

·       Drive continuous improvement of internal systems, tools, templates and operational processes.

·       Provide guidance and support to technical teams on budgeting, financial management and operational planning requirements.

Operational Delivery Oversight

·       Lead coordination of programme and financial reporting, contractual deliverables and programme milestones across FSP and OTP, ensuring all requirements are planned, tracked and delivered on time.

·       Act as the primary coordination point for programme management and non-technical FCDO requests, ensuring appropriate inputs are obtained from technical, MEL, communications, finance and operational teams, risks and deadlines are actively managed, and reporting and deliverables are completed and submitted on time.