Resources Coordinator - CFP&A

Role purpose

To support the Central Planning and Analysis Cluster Lead/Analyst in providing professional guidance in financial planning and analysis and providing assurance on the underlying business financial performance. 

The post holder will be in charge of staff costs allocation, as well as analysing and interpreting financial information received. 

This post will be part of the Central Financial Planning & Analysis team that may be dispersed across the region. The roles will be split into teams which support various countries within a Cluster. There are 3 clusters across the Region.

About us 

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview

The Finance function is structured along functional lines with the aim of embedding the ‘three lines of defense’ model at its heart, clearly separating the financial control (first line) and risk and assurance (second line) functions, ensuring the integrity of our results and the strength of our controls.  

This will allow the organisation to focus more easily on business decision making, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting on the basis of accurate monthly results.

This is a critical advisory role where effectiveness is dependent on ability to analyse.  Personal confidence and credibility is required to ensure advice is escalated to the concerned.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

Requirement to travel across the region on an occasional basis.

Main Accountabilities

Accountable for the analysis and interpretation of staff allocation data for the Cluster:

Planning, forecasting and budgeting:

•    Assist in the planning process of direct staff allocation for the Cluster and ensuring delivery to deadlines.
•    Assist Central Planning & Analysis Cluster Analyst in the planning and rolling re-forecasting processes to ensure that information obtained from these processes is reliable.
•    Support the Central Planning & Analysis Cluster Analyst in developing reporting procedures and templates for regional and Cluster use.
•    Ensure Retain data is up to date

Financial analysis:

•    Develop/maintain a spreadsheet to calculate the cost movement from Cost Centre to WBS as per information provided by business team. Any queries to be escalated to CFPA lead/ Analyst for appropriate action
•    Maintain accuracy of data and provide information necessary to do analysis required

Business Performance Management:

•    Be the focal point and provide any ad-hoc guidance and support to individuals and project managers as required for staff allocation.
•    General queries
•    Guidance and support with correctional journals – required when time has been incorrectly charged to a WBS within a closed period and needs to be moved.
•    Monitor cost allocation accuracy.
•    Ensure reconciliations of staff costs on SAP are done frequently to ensure all staff costs are allocated accordingly and as required
•    Assist individual managers in solving data hygiene / SAP issues.
•    Deliver outputs within corporate and regional timelines as requested by the Central Planning & Analysis Cluster Lead

Regional and Functional Team Working: 

•    Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times.
•    Contribute to ensuring the policies, procedures and systems are delivered with integrity.
•    Work closely and effectively as part of the regional and global finance teams. 

Key Relationships

•    Regional Finance Directors
•    Country Directors 
•    SBU Leads and Regional Programme Directors
•    Local/Regional Programmes Team
•    Corporate Planning Team
•    Corporate Finance
•    Commercial Contracts Team

Person Specification

Language requirements 

Minimum / essential
    Fluency in written and spoken English
Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of an agreed English language certificate, or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B1 level of English proficiency.

Qualifications
Minimum / essential        
Degree level education    

Desirable

Part qualified with a recognized accounting body.   

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience
Minimum / essential
•    Minimum 1 year of experience in Operational financial management and or management accounting.   
•    Delivery of results within a complex international structure and reporting to tight deadlines.  
•    Working in virtual teams. 

Desirable
•    Experience working with SAP.

Role Specific Skills (if any)
•    Ability to explain complex financial data to non-finance people, using non-technical language.
•    Advanced excel skills including pivot tables.
•    ERP systems experience (transaction level and reporting). 

British Council Core Skills

• Analysing Data and Problems - Level 1
• Communicating and Influencing - Level 2  
• Managing risks - Level 1 
• Planning and Organising - Level 1 
• Business Performance Management - Level 1 
• Financial Analysis - Level 1
• Management Reporting - Level 1
• Business Partnering - Level 1

British Council Behaviours

• Being Accountable (ESSENTIAL): Delivering my best work in order to meet my commitments
• Making it Happen (ESSENTIAL): Delivering clear results for the British Council. 
• Connecting with Others (ESSENTIAL): Making regular opportunities to understand others better
• Working Together (MORE DEMANDING): Ensuring that others benefit as well as me
• Shaping The Future (ESSENTIAL): Looking for ways in which we can do things better.
• Creating Shared Purpose (ESSENTIAL): Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together