We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

Role summary

• Lead the Institute’s financial planning by leading on delivery of the annual budget & quarterly reforecasts, collaborating with Finance Business Partners and the wider business to secure alignment and accuracy of budgets and forecasts
• Develop impactful and insightful dashboards and reports, to engage senior stakeholders on strategic financial matters focused on forward financial performance and supporting business decision making
• Work with Finance Business Partners to maintain and develop the management Information reporting suite and finance communication skills, ensuring constant feedback and continuous improvement of this vital connective tissue between finance and the business
• Develop and maintain five-year financial strategy and maintain complex models responsive to scenario planning
• Fully leverage Workday and Adaptive systems to ensure a lean and highly effective FP&A team delivers for the needs of key stakeholders, responding to requests with speed
• Work closely with the Fundraising team to ensure annual budget / regular reforecast reflects the current fundraising strategy, donor income pipeline and conversation rates, demonstrating an understanding of key economic drivers and risks in our portfolio
• Continue to develop Institute Income model for proposals, ensuring it is kept up to date with appropriate underlying assumptions
• Provide informed cost advice to proposal teams in line with TBI cost needs and Donor client requirements for all restricted funded projects for respective business units

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may be expected within the scope of the post. Job descriptions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post.

Know-How:

• Ensure clear communication is provided to senior stakeholders during the budgeting and reforecasting process in line with overall TBI messaging
• Skilled in financial reporting and leveraging systems to enable high impact visualisation of information that drives better business decisions
• Knowledge of donor reporting and procurement requirements, including FCDO, USAID, Gates Foundation, and others
• Business modelling expertise with an understanding of key business drivers, including tender win rates, working capital in a global operation with multiple business units and multi-currency transactions
• Skilled accountant capable of delivering financial results to tight month end timetables

Accountability:

• Ensure that forecasts are high quality and insightful tools for financial planning
• Ensure that the monthly management information is accurate and the supporting narrative highlights key issues
• Actively participate in problem-solving
• Challenging donor and grant tenders to ensure we understand the requirements and responses given and the level of detail prepared at each submission stage and that we are securing an adequate return

Responsibility:

• Building rapport with all stakeholders but especially budget holders so that information is shared effectively and collaboratively
• Effective partnerships with all respective stakeholders, Fundraising in particular
• Reviewing of monthly senior management information globally
• Leading the budgeting/reforecasting analysis
• Focusing on strategic finance requirements of the Institute
• Working with others to develop the Institute’s Rate Cards and Indirect Cost Recovery policy
• Supporting pipeline forecasting, including income projections for TBI budgets and forecasts
• Managing and helping to evolve the financial systems which are currently in place
• Ad hoc pieces of work or projects as required by Financial Controller or Executive Director of Finance

Judgement:

• Anticipate and mitigate any concerns or risks appropriately and escalate where necessary
• Use specialist technical experience to make day-to-day decisions
• Challenge donor tender process or submissions suitability for the Institute
• Ability to challenge others if you perceive a decision to be incorrect or damaging to TBI

Ambition / Ownership:

• Proactively contributes to the implementation of best practice guidelines and methodology for Finance policies and processes especially in the donor proposals & reporting areas
• Contributing to overall Finance OKR delivery
• Influence process change outside of own area
• Be an ambassador for work that the Institute undertakes
• Take active interest in the work that the Institute undertakes
• Model & maintain TBI Core Values - Courageous, Collaborative & Compassionate

Person Specification

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change aims to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive, and prosperous societies in an interconnected world. We do this through developing policy and advising governments.

This is a role in a fast-paced team, working within complex divisions that are highly scrutinised. Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Open and Progressive – you will believe in the value of teamwork
• Bold and Pragmatic – you will approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity

• Optimistic Changemakers – you will be focused on results

• Dynamic, confident candidate who can articulate verbally and by written presentation; ability to express complex ideas in a clear and straightforward manner to a variety of stakeholders

• Good working knowledge of Workday and Adaptive an advantage
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and perform other duties as reasonably required to achieve the goals of your team and the Institute
• Qualified accountant
• Knowledge of accounting for donor funds – preferable
• Must be able to take ownership and manage their own workflow with minimal input from management, set their own goals and plan how to achieve them – translate into actions and follow through to completion, prioritise against tight deadlines
• A motivational, collaborative and supportive manager and team-player, with demonstrable experience in working as part of a team
• Great interpersonal skills - able to establish good cross departmental working relationships
• Enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious, and always seeking continuous improvement
• Positively embraces change, maintaining an open curious mindset
• A keen interest in our work as an Institute, expansion and sharing of knowledge and personal development

Closing Date:

2024-03-26