PFRU II Deputy Team Lead - Finance and Systems

Chemonics International; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international development consultancy in London is seeking a Senior Manager to oversee financial management and operational strategies for the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and extensive experience in managing complex budgets. You will play a key role in ensuring that financial performance meets high standards while promoting a culture of continuous improvement. This position offers a collaborative work environment and a chance to make a meaningful impact.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of high-performing finance and programme management teams.
• Extensive experience managing large, complex programme budgets.
• Strong background in financial reporting and KPI monitoring.
• In-depth experience with financial management systems.
• Effective communicator with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor on financial and operational matters.
• Lead all aspects of programme financial management.
• Develop and optimise financial systems across teams.
• Identify and address inefficiencies in operations.
• Mentor high-performing teams in finance and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Communication

Change management

Commercial modeling

Tools

PMO 365

SAP

QuickBooks

Job description

Overview

About The Role: The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU-2) is a multi-year, multi-donor funded programme managed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The aim of PFRU-2 is to set improved conditions for the Ukrainian state, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, to lead on inclusive national recovery and revitalisation in the context of Russia’s aggression. This outcome is designed to facilitate and strengthen resilience for a more socially cohesive, inclusive, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine. PFRU-2 provides funds to Ukrainian and international delivery partners and implements projects based on research and evidence.

This role is part of the senior management team that is responsible for overall programme implementation. The successful candidate will be required to regularly engage with client and corporate senior leadership as a SLT representative and report on key financial metrics to the Team Lead and Head Office leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Programme Direction
  • Serve as a senior advisor to the Programme Director and SLT on financial and operational matters, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Represent the programme in high-level discussions with donors, particularly around financial performance, systems integrity, and delivery capacity.
  • Support the design and implementation of strategies that strengthen the programme’s sustainability, efficiency, and impact.
• Financial Management & Oversight
  • Responsible for accurate, timely, and high-quality financial management reporting, working closely with PMU and programme team.
  • Lead all aspects of programme financial management, including budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
  • Ensure technical and compliance review of sub-budgets (project level) during initial development and rebudgeting or reforecasting and challenge teams where financial performance is at risk.
  • Ensure programme is meeting financial KPIs, maintaining or exceeding revenue and gross margin and delivering strong financial performance on behalf of Chemonics UK.
• Systems Management & Integration
  • Lead the development, alignment, and optimisation of financial and programme management systems across all teams and functions.
  • Support development of and lead Systems Steering Committee (Steerco), ensuring minimal overlap between systems and that gaps are proactively identified and met.
  • Ensure programme delivery cycles are supported by fit-for-purpose tools and systems, and that processes are clearly documented and adhered to. Work with teams to implement new tools and platforms as needed, ensuring adequate training and support for staff.
• Operational Effectiveness & Process Improvement
  • Identify and address inefficiencies in programme operations, systems, and workflows, ensuring alignment with delivery objectives.
  • Lead change management initiatives to improve cross-functional coordination and ensure operational scalability.
  • Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) that promote consistent, efficient, and accountable programme management.
  • Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement across finance and operations teams.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead and mentor high-performing teams across finance, systems, and select operations functions, both in Kyiv and remotely.
  • Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and support staff development through coaching, training, and performance management.
  • Promote an inclusive, collaborative, and high-integrity team culture aligned with the programme’s values and Chemonics UK’s organisational ethos.

Person Specification

Essential Skills / Experience

• Proven leadership of high-performing finance and programme management teams in both in-person and remote settings.
• Extensive experience managing large, complex programme budgets, including forecasting, variance analysis, and commercial impact tracking.
• Strong background in financial reporting, KPI monitoring, and ensuring revenue and margin targets are met.
• In-depth experience of utilising financial management systems, process and methodologies, as well as experience with programme financial and commercial modelling.
• Demonstrated success in change management, systems development, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to take a strategic view of finance, balancing corporate and commercial targets with resourcing needs and programme delivery impact.
• Effective communicator with senior stakeholders, including clients and corporate leadership.
• Proficient in project and financial management tools, especially PMO 365; knowledge of SAP and QuickBooks is a plus.
• FCDO or donor-funded programme experience desirable; formal change management training preferred.

About Us

Chemonics UK is a leader in global sustainable development and is part of Chemonics International’s global network of specialists. We run projects that range from supporting children with special educational needs in Syria to increasing access to public services in Mozambique and fostering peacebuilding initiatives in Yemen. Every action we take is driven by the goal to transform life-changing ideas into world-changing ones.

Our teams reflect a diversity of technical expertise and lived experience, because solving complex development challenges requires both. We are committed to connections – global and local, human, and technological – that allow learnings to efficiently flow and adapt between experts, projects, and countries. This is how we match the speed and scale of humanity’s most pressing challenges, from strengthening research and innovative systems across Africa to supporting local governments and civil society in Ukraine.

Chemonics International is a major international development consultancy with a 50-year history and a track record for delivering integrated solutions across multiple sectors and geographies to support sustainable development goals. We are 6,000 experts in more than 100 countries around the globe.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunity

Chemonics is committed to safeguarding staff, associated personnel, and beneficiaries from all forms of harm including sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment. Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff and associated personnel, including the board of directors, consultants, interns, and sub-awardees both during and outside of working hours. All employees are subject to due diligence checks including DBS basic check or equivalent overseas police checks and the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme check. We value an inclusive culture rooted in access, belonging, and connection for all our teammates. We are committed to equal opportunity and to treating everyone with dignity, respect, transparency and fairness. We welcome diverse talent and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or other protected characteristics.