The Assistant Director, Business Support, Risk & Financial Control is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of accounting and financial control reporting. Duties involve overseeing the preparation of management financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards.

WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Job Title:  Assistant Director, Business Support, Risk & Financial Control    

Division: Corporate  Finance

Department/Section:  Business Support, Risk & Financial Controls    

Location:Head Office, St. Joseph

Reports to:  Director Corporate Finance 

1. JOB PURPOSE:  

The Assistant Director, Business Support, Risk & Financial Control supports the Authority by implementing and managing systems that support effective decision-making while mitigating risks. 

This role is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of accounting and financial control reporting. Duties involve overseeing the preparation of management financial statements monthly, quarterly and annually of the Districts/Service Areas in accordance with international accounting standards.

This role supports a transformed Authority in achieving its strategic mandate through the development and execution of policies and/or programs, accountability for staffing and leading teams to achieve the stated strategic goals.

This role actively provides accurate management data and systems through audits to develop a keen understanding of opportunities to enhance operations and drive cost efficiencies while acknowledging the business risk environment. 

2.0KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

1. Contributes to the development of the strategic plan for the Division/Department/Unit by planning, organising and coordinating activities designed to achieve the transformation agenda.

2. Conducts routine assessments to determine the risk associated with activities for the Authority. 

3. Develops and implements policy in the execution of the accountabilities for the unit.

4. Forecasts the business environment and suggests systems and controls to allow for effective operations and risk mitigation.

5. Supports the strategic planning processes by developing strategies to mitigate risk in the operations.

6. Engages in business planning activities to ensure appropriate controls are working effectively in the Authority.

7. Designs and measures a dashboard of KPI’s (Key performance Indicators) for effective financial management of the Authority and decision- making.

8. Reviews processes and systems for improvement and drives cost efficiencies through the implementation of appropriate strategies to optimize performance at reduced costs.

OPERATIONS

2.9Manages an information system capable of providing financial data on company performance by monitoring and reporting on variances for the Company’s strategic and operational targets and reports on performance targets of the districts.

2.10Routinely assesses the districts’ financial performance to develop robust responses based on risk assessment.

2.11Audits controls and financial systems to ensure effective management and output of required performance standards.

2.12Undertakes performance improvement initiatives to ensure continuous improvement.

2.13Undertakes business planning, budgeting to support cost efficiencies in core processes based on analyses conducted within the districts.

PEOPLE 

2.14Leads the human resources activity for the unit by managing staff performance through coaching, oral and written discipline and making appropriate interventions for improved performance.

2.15Liaises with Management to ensure needs are met in the development of business systems with adequate controls.

2.16Liaises with the Board of Commissioners in the reporting of risk mitigations for the Authority and for strategic forecasting.

2.17Liaises with external stakeholders and government agencies in the provision of data on behalf of the Authority.

2.18Promotes a healthy and safe culture that is compliant with government legislation, company policy, and environmental regulations and standards.

REPORTS

2.19Provides reporting on business KPI’s and performance measures.

2.20Reports on audits completed to Management and advice on mitigation strategies.

2.21Submits a range of financial reports as required by the regulatory supervisory authorities.

2.22 Ensures that all financial regulatory reporting requirements are delivered in an accurate and timely manner.

2.23 Ensures timely and accurate preparation of all tax returns and other information as required by regulatory bodies.

2.24Completes ad-hoc reporting for decision-making and projects.

Together with such other tasks as required by the Director and which are appropriate up to the grading level of the post.

3.0COMPETENCIES

CORE

3.1 Safety: Adherence to the safety practices, laws and codes guidelines, as outlined in the Safety Policy, Operational Manuals and other company documents. Safety First!

3.2 Teamwork: To work together with one or more persons / organizations to complete a project or task, working towards a common good to benefit the team or organization. Demonstrating the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others both inside and outside the organization.

3.3Enterprise Customer Advocacy: An obvious focus on what is best for the customer throughout the enterprise, a desire to assist and/or serve customers and meet their needs. Taking personal responsibility for addressing issues in customer-service, with prompt and effective solutions and without becoming defensive; Ability to prioritize multiple customer needs and act in accordance with the department initiatives and the organisation's core values. It is simply about putting the customer first in everything that we do at WASA.

3.4Professionalism: The habitual and judicious use of communication, technical and problem-solving skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the company and community.  Demonstrates a conscientious, courteous, and business-oriented manner while on the job. 

3.5Uprightness: Adhering to the company’s Code of Conduct policy and all other company policies and guidelines. Promotes professionalism, morality, civility and ethical principles, demonstrating commitment to openness, being transparent and honest in one’s dealings with persons internal and external to WASA i.e., Doing the Right Thing All the Time.

TECHNICAL

3.6Information Systems: The ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in the area of information systems and in a specialized ICT area. The ability to collect store and process data and for providing information knowledge and digital products.

3.7Auditing:  Demonstrates the ability to develop audit plans and conduct audits, applying auditing concepts and methodologies for internal and external audits.

3.8Project Management:  The ability to apply formal project management principles and practices during the planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of projects. The ability to identify resources needed to meet project objectives, develop and manage the project plan, including timelines, deliverables, milestones, and costs. The ability to identify potential roadblocks and risks and develop contingency plans to deal with them.

3.9Business Process Re-engineering: Knowledge and ability to apply the principles of business analysis in the planning, reengineering, and requirement gathering for business environments, operations, processes, and practices

LEADERSHIP

3.10Business Acumen: Demonstrates a deep understanding of the business environment. Capable of developing strategies that secure sustainable development of the company, capable of building and cultivating external relationships.

3.11Critical & Strategic Thinking:  Sees the bigger picture and strives to effectively integrate the organisation into a cohesive whole.  Takes a strategic approach to leadership and planning, thinking about the longer term. Works to implement the strategic plan, monitoring and reviewing activities to ensure they are aligned with the broader goals. Self-directed thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves problems. Reflecting critically on learning experiences and processes and making effective decisions.

3.12Results Orientation: The ability to set challenging goals with desired results and to focus one's effort and the effort of the unit on the desired result. Demonstrating a strong sense of urgency in achieving results and solving problems to accomplish work.

3.13Managing through Change and Uncertainty: Adjusts thinking and behaviour to resiliently face change and uses experience to fuel growth. Embraces failure as a learning opportunity for self and others. Enables the process of change and transition while helping others navigate through the effects of change.

3.14Communication: The ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written. Effectively and appropriately interacts with others to build and foster existing relationships, influence, and facilitate the sharing of ideas and information.

3.15Stakeholder Management: The ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, business professionals and partners and advise on strategic and operational issues, through insights that support business decisions.

3.16People Leadership: The ability to inspire, motivate, and empower people to achieve organizational goals. Coaches, mentors, and manages employee experience, and employee performance, through mindful preparation. Creates space for others to lead.

4.0QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

4.1.Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution

4.2ACCA or CIMA qualification or any other equivalent combination of experience and education.

4.3At least ten (10) years’ experience with extensive knowledge in the implementation of business control systems in an industrial setting and with five (5) years’ managerial/senior level experience.

5.0KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

5.1.Direct Reports: Team Leads, Planning and Performance (5); Management Assistant 

5.2.Indirect Reports: Leads

5.3.Internal Contacts: Board; Managers 

5.4External Contacts: Ministries; Consultants 

6.0ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTPUTS: (Areas for which the incumbent is directly answerable for attaining and delivering in the course of duty)