Job Description
Job Purpose:
You will be responsible for supporting the Senior Finance Manager in financial reporting, budgeting, accounting operations, and board reporting by ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial information. The role plays a key part in maintaining strong financial controls, producing analysis, and supporting decision-making.
About Us:
Our mission is to improve human health and save lives in Africa by growing a cohort of African researchers working in Africa who lead and partner in excellent, collaborative health research that benefits patients, populations, policymakers, and practitioners throughout the region and globally. AREF provides stepping stones to young postdoctoral African scientists and clinicians to fulfill their ambition to lead research in Africa and to work with scientists from around the world to address global health issues.
What you will do:
You will work with the Senior Finance Manager on a variety of operational tasks to ensure successful financial management of AREF’s systems, including, but not limited to:
Reporting (Financial and Board)
- Prepare ad hoc financial reports in line with internal and external requirements.
- Support the development of management reports with detailed variance analysis
- Compile financial data from various sources to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Assist in producing dashboards and KPIs for senior management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and organizational policies.
- Assist in preparing quarterly financial reports and presentations for the Board.
- Compile data, perform analysis, and draft supporting financial notes.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and clarity of board reports.
- Support the Senior Finance Manager in responding to board queries.
Budget Preparation & Monitoring
- Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts.
- Coordinate with department heads to gather budget inputs and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Monitor budget performance and track variances.
- Provide analytical insights and recommendations to improve cost efficiency and resource allocation.
- Update budget templates and maintain financial planning models.
Journal Posting & General Ledger Management
- Prepare and post accurate journal entries in the accounting system (e.g., accruals, prepayments, adjustments).
- Maintain proper supporting documentation for all journal entries.
- Review transactions to ensure proper coding and classification.
- Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes.
Accounts Reconciliation
- Perform regular reconciliations of general ledger accounts, bank accounts, and sub-ledgers (AR/AP).
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Ensure all reconciliations are properly documented and reviewed.
- Maintain reconciliation schedules and audit trails.
Compliance & Internal Controls
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, financial procedures, and audit requirements.
- Support internal and external audits by providing requested documentation.
- Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend enhancements.
Financial Analysis & Decision Support
- Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis as requested.
- Support departments and units with financial insights to aid decision-making.
- Assist in scenario analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and financial modelling.
Administrative & Other Duties
- Maintain accurate financial records and filing systems.
- Support implementation or improvements of financial systems and tools.
In addition, you will also:
- Undertake various tasks as required.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties.
- Identify opportunities to continually improve the charity.
Who you will work with:
You will report to the Senior Finance Manager and work closely with other senior managers.
ABOUT YOU
You will have:
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Good communication and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
You will be able to:
- Communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally with colleagues, trustees and other stakeholders, including the ability to write reports, briefings and minutes.
- Build effective working relationships.
- plan and manage multiple processes, delivering consistently to specified high standards and necessary deadlines.
- Manage diverse stakeholders to align and achieve agreed objectives.
- work collaboratively and creatively, being able to negotiate and compromise in pursuit of shared goals.
You will have:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related fields.
- 3–6 years of relevant experience in finance or accounting.
- Experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and reconciliations
You may also have:
- Professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, CPA)—part-qualified or in progress preferred.
- Experience working in a charity
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The post-holder will be based in The Gambia at the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia, at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara.
The salary will be paid in Grade 4 of MRCG at LSHTM’s pay scale.
The appointment is for 2 years initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months.
Click here to apply or visit www.mrc.gm and proceed to the careers section to complete an online application.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 29/07/2026.
MRCG at the LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.