Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Oxfam South Africa

July 17, 2016

Hiring Manager

Oxfam South Africa

RE: Application for the Position of Senior Financial Manager

Today’s International Development projects and Not For Profit Organisations and the environment we deliver the projects in, require exceptional senior financial and operations management executives who possess a unique blend of leadership, vision, broad-based experience and the ability to deliver superior results within budget, time, quality and clients expectations. I am that person.

As an experienced and solutions-focused Administrator with a comprehensive background in strategic financial planning and expertise in operations management, grants management, budgeting, cross-functional acumen in the full complement of corporate finance, I am exploring the available position within Oxfam South Africa as a Senior Financial Manager. I am a highly experienced professional with documented contributions in providing superior results, and I am confident I will be a valuable asset to Oxfam South Africa on its programs.

The scope of my expertise and background includes, a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting and currently studying for my Master of Science in Public Financial Management with the University of London (CeFiMS, SOAS). 17 years of extensive managerial and advisory practical rich mix of financial, accounting, audit, administrative, operations, compliance, procurement, contracts and grant management experience within; International Development, Not For Profit and Public Sector. I have continuously demonstrated exceptional supervisory and analytical capabilities with a focus on designing, implementation and controlling of financial systems,and manage the financial operations and business support functions of a large regional development program with multi-million budget. I successfully develop and tracked budgets including project financial planning and reporting system, analysis of project(s) actual against planned expenditure and forecasting to anticipate flow of finances and prevent deficits and imbalances. Ensured timely development and submission of required critical schedule or ad-hoc project financial reports and other ad-hoc financial analyses as required by Donor or for internal use within the project. Assisted with managing project implementation and coordination, and reporting process of the program in compliance with Donor’s financial and procurement regulations within budgets, client expectations, timelines and delivery dates through toproviding excellent stewardship of resources.

I offer unique combination of hands-on financial control and administration that maximizes organizational effectiveness, operations-oriented leadership that ensures efficiency, cost effectiveness, value for money and compliance. While my resume provides more specifics, my previous positions have enabled me to develop a broad and high level of skills set and experience in the following areas that are germane to the Senior Financial Manager position at Oxfam South Africa:

• I have exhibited, in all past positions, a consistent knack of excellent performance in all areas and this reflects my ability to learn quickly and competently, and I always give 110% to any job I undertake;
• My ability to quickly understand and assimilate the complexity of organisations business model, donor financial management frameworks and procurement guidelines, theory of change, log-frames, systems and procedures, organizational structures and decision-making processes;
• I have the skills to provide strategic guidance and maintain accurate records of all financial transactions and extensive knowledge in accounting with the ability to analysis and prepare budgets, managerial and financial reports. I can make sure that all expenditures are recorded and that all donor and organisations financial obligations are met;
• l have strong knowledge of accounting and financial legislation, policies and procedures development together with accounting techniques, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), local accounting standards and taxation and with ability to interpret, distinct donor contracts/grants agreements, donor financial and procurement requirements and statutory legislation and imbedding them into annual plans/department/Unit work plans to avoid common barriers and ensure compliance;
• I have great supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to communicate efficiently with clients and strategic business partner, the ability identify risk and mitigate it through-to finding solutions to problems that arise and outstanding organizational skills;
• Recognised by peers, subordinates, and senior Leadership for tenacity and the ability to gracefully handle dynamic of rapidly changing environment. Serves as the collaborative business partner; with the ability to present financial reports to targeted audience in an easily-understood format;
• Solid ability to detect and reconcile discrepancies in financial & accounting records and internal controls gaps;
• Solid ability to make mathematical calculations, reconciliations rapidly and accurately;
• Exceptional knowledge of formulating, justifying and executing multi-programs and multi-currency budgets and procurement practices;
• Strong knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in Southern (including south Africa) and East Africa and managing business;
• My ability to manage a matrix reporting relationship, donor relations and the capacity to competently brief superiors on key issues and developments;
• My ability to maintain and promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and commitment to quality and monitoring staff performance, development of goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities and conduct performance appraisal;
• Particularly adept at streaming, reorganizing and leading large global staff productivity in multiple offices and excellent staff management skills, including managing senior level executives towards reaching key goals and supervising teams of diverse staff members.

I am enthusiastic about putting my talents to use in a new way and support Oxfam South Africa on its financial management objectives. My pursuit of an MSc-public financial management has helped me to build on my prior experience in International development and Public financial management domain while at the same time broadening my management skillset. Now equipped with diverse broad practical experience, proven methodologies that make improvements and yield results, l feel confident in my ability to provide oversight and expertise to support and provide proactive finance, operational and administrative executive to complement your management team.

I feel certain my strong initiative and commitment to excellence, coupled with my solid management background will be of immediate value to Oxfam South Africa. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about Oxfam South Africa plans and goals discuss your needs and my potential contributions.

Sincerely,