General Manager - Finance Business Partner Francophone.Group Finance

MTN Group’s Business Finance function is evolving to meet heightened regulatory scrutiny, a key contributor to business strategy, providing insights and guidance on financial matters, and the complexities of operating across multiple jurisdictions. 

To serve the company’s growth through effective business performance management, including but not limited to the following objectives; 

• Achieving top quartile operating efficiency and effectiveness through enhanced governance

• Driving growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact

• Requirement for precise and accurate financial forecasting, planning and analytics through a business partnering model

• Driving an efficient and effective working capital management approach across the relevant markets. 

• Implement an effective capital allocation framework to deliver on the required rate of return.

• Improving the internal control environment across the relevant markets. 

• Assisting the MTN Board and EXCO in protecting the assets, reputation and sustainability of the organisation for MTN to accomplish its objectives.

Organisational Mission: MTN’s vision is to lead digital transformation in Africa, ensuring widespread access to reliable, high-quality broadband services that drive social and economic development.

Organization Values: At MTN we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Our values dubbed, LIVE Y’ello, are the cornerstone of our culture.

Lead with Care

Can-do with Integrity

Collaborate with Agility

Serve with Respect

Act with Inclusion

The General Manager: Finance Business Partner Francophone will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Implementation and Advisory

• Provide input into group finance strategy across the markets based on sound financial analysis and business performance objectives.

• Partner with the Markets Francophone Leadership to support the group strategy in delivering results across the region by interpreting financial analysis / reports and reporting on risks influencing business performance for each OpCo in the region.

• Act as a lead advisor providing support to the Markets Leadership, employees and Opco Boards with respect to the identification of financial risk and long-term financial effect of company decisions through Financial Scenario Analysis.

• Provide leadership on strategic, tactical and operational aspects of accounting and finance for the region. The aspects will include budgeting, planning, monthly monitoring and reporting, and active participation in monthly business reviews along with the Francophone Leadership and Group Finance.

• Provide strong commercial and risk-based advice to the Francophone Markets Leadership on customer, business development, market development, liquidity or other matters which will impact the success of the region.

• Maintain independence when advising the Francophone Markets Leadership team on OpCo material matters which impact profitability, portfolio transformation and growth ambitions; 

   

  • Long/Short range capital planning and allocation

  • Material capital investment studies and recommendations

    • Portfolio transformation initiative evaluations and recommendations thereof

Operational Delivery

• Govern and steer Francophone Opco’s, finance business plan and reporting cycles (plan development, Opco guidance and cascades, adjustment principles etc) including top-down business plan targets, revenue plan, business/financial plans, and budget management. Present outcomes, insights and recommendations to the Francophone Markets Leadership team and Group Business Finance.

• Oversee the financial health of Francophone Opcos and assigned portfolio by ensuring they remain financially stable and profitable.

• Advise on local financial systems and processes. This will include ensuring that regional financial information and reports are accurate and received in good order, informing key decision making by the regional and OpCo leadership teams.

• Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-optimisation opportunities.

• Ensure effective working capital and liquidity management across Francophone markets. 

• Support the Francophone and Opco Leadership teams in making sound investment and funding decisions. 

• Prepare ad hoc analysis as requested by Markets Leadership and partner with Group Finance to ensure that regional needs are adequately supported.

• Participate in the OpCo Boards and in the Audit and Risk Committees as and when required. 

Governance

• Establish a culture of strong financial discipline, with strong internal controls across the region.

• Lead projects designed to improve financial governance processes, standards and results for the region.

• Ensure compliance to Group Governance protocols and policies (committee approvals, DMF, process etc.).

• Ensure each OpCo operates within local accounting principles, standards and guideline as well as Group financial and accounting guidelines. 

Reporting

• Accurate reporting of KPIs and thorough variance analysis where applicable. 

• Post implementation reviews and tracking to ensure that decisions made and action items agreed to are effectively implemented. Most importantly, to track implementation results against the initial approved business case. 

Staff & Leadership Management

• Provide support and develop opportunities to adequately capacitate finance functions across the region. 

• Develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working.

• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program.

• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy.

• Promote an ‘MTN centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Key Deliverables

• Francophone Markets business performance reports

• Francophone Markets business planning and forecasting

• Adhoc profitability, liquidity, investment and funding papers

Role Dependencies

• Active support from the Executive: Business Finance

• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy 

• Understanding of the OpCo financial context

• Alignment of OpCo and Group strategy initiatives

Education:

• Minimum 4-year degree in Accounting/Finance/ Business

• CA (SA) / ACMA (CIMA)

• Masters, MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification (advantageous)

• Relevant certification / accreditation / membership with professional body as required for role   

   

Experience:

• 5 years senior management experience or more; with at least 3 years in relevant sector / industry /area of specialisation (understanding emerging markets advantageous)

• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies

• Experience working in a medium to large organisation Experience working in cross-functional, matrixed environments, influencing senior stakeholders, and mobilizing execution across diverse teams

• Experience in finance leadership roles

• Experience in presenting to large teams with senior members

• Experience in continuous improvement through the implementation of best practice

• Ability to effectively manage multiple priority projects and initiatives

Capabilities:

• Strategy Formulator, Decisive Problem Solver, Innovative Value Creator

• Culture and Change Champion, Inspiring People Leader, Relationship Builder

• Results Achiever, Operationally Astute

Functional Competencies:

• Extensive experience in financial planning and analysis, P&L, Operational and Cost Management 

• Proven success in delivery of high-quality analytics

• Experience in contractual agreements and compliance

Competencies:

• Execution Discipline – Operates with high personal accountability, driving projects through to closure.

• Problem Solving & Prioritisation – Navigates ambiguity and prioritises competing transformation demands with clarity and focus.

• Structured Communication – Communicates progress, risks, and decisions clearly through dashboards, reports, and oral briefings to senior stakeholders.

• Judgement and Decision-Making

• Strategic and Analytical Thinking