Head of Finance

LOCATION: Türkiye

CONTRACT LENGTH: 6 M (extendable)

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the role holderwill have contactwith children and/oryoung people either frequently (e.g. once a weekor more) or intensively (e.g. fourdays in onemonth or moreor overnight) becausethey work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Head of Finance provides strategic and operational leadership for all financial management functions of the Türkiye Country Office. The post holder ensures the highest standards of financial accountability, transparency, and compliance in line with Save the Children International (SCI) policies, local legislation, and donor regulations.

The role oversees financial planning, budgeting, reporting, internal controls, donor compliance, treasury management, audit coordination, and capacity development of national finance staff. The Head of Finance partners closely with the Country Director, Operations, Awards, and Support Services to ensure that financial systems and practices support effective program delivery.

The position also provides critical input into strategic decision-making, risk management, and sustainability planning, ensuring SCI maintains strong financial health and readiness for both development and humanitarian operations.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Country Director

Dotted Line: MENAEE Senior Lead Finance

Staff directly reporting to this post: Finance Officer (2)

KEY AREASOF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

1. Strategic Leadership and Financial Planning

• Lead financial strategy development in alignment with Country Strategy Plan and global SCI policies.
• Advise the SMT and Country Director on financial sustainability, risk exposure, and cost-efficiency.
• Oversee annual master budget preparation, phasing, and financial scenario planning.
• Provide financial input to new business development, ensuring funding gaps and cost recovery are addressed.
• Support country leadership in alignment of operational structure with funding trends and cost-efficiency targets.

2. Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control

• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting to SCI, donors, and statutory authorities.
• Oversee accounting systems (Agresso/Integra) ensuring completeness, accuracy, and reconciliation of all transactions.
• Lead monthly financial closure, variance analysis, and submission of the monthly financial report (MFR).
• Ensure compliance with SCI financial control framework, donor terms, and local legislation.
• Maintain oversight of tax obligations, statutory audits, and ensure compliance with Turkish legal requirements.
• Supervise treasury management, including liquidity forecasts, bank reconciliations, and cash flow control.

3. Budgeting, Grants, and Donor Compliance

• Lead the budgeting process for proposals, annual plans, and realignments.
• Review donor financial reports ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with narrative reporting.
• Collaborate with Awards and Program teams to monitor budget utilization and ensure donor compliance.
• Support grant opening, review, and closure processes, ensuring cost allocations and eligibility checks.
• Coordinate with the Regional Office and HQ for timely submission of donor reports and audits.

4. Risk Management and Internal Controls

• Maintain effective internal control systems that safeguard SCI assets and funds.
• Identify and manage financial risks; implement mitigation strategies in coordination with SMT.
• Ensure that all procurement, payroll, and payment processes adhere to SCI and donor standards.
• Lead or support internal/external audit exercises and ensure timely closure of audit findings.
• Promote continuous improvement in financial systems, controls, and compliance culture.

5. Staff Management, Mentorship, and Capacity Building

• Build, mentor, and lead a competent finance team that delivers high-quality support across the organization.
• Implement succession planning, ensuring strong national leadership and staff development.
• Conduct regular coaching, objective setting, and performance appraisals in line with SCI systems.
Deliver financial management and donor compliance training to budget holders and partners.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice ) Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team andpartners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them thefreedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their ownpersonal development and encourages theirteam to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, withtheir team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essentials:

• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial management experience, including 2+ years in a senior leadership role within INGO or multinational environments.
• Proven experience in strategic financial management, budgeting, donor compliance, and audit coordination.
• Strong knowledge of Turkish financial regulations, taxation, and statutory reporting.
• Proficiency in Agresso/Integra, Excel, and ERP-based financial systems.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills in English and Turkish.
• Demonstrated ability to build capacity of national staff and work effectively in multicultural contexts.
• Prior experience within Save the Children International or another large INGO.
• Fluency in Turkish and English
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sectoral working relationships
• Ability to think creatively to solve problems with effective and efficient ways to accomplish goals
Ability to make decisions, work under pressure on a number of competing tasks meeting deadlines

Desirables:

• Exposure to humanitarian response finance and multi-donor portfolio management.
• Experience working in federated or matrixed organizations.
Fluency in Arabic