RLS - Head of Finance and Administration

Organization: Dubai Government Beginning of the main content section.Return to the home pagePrintable Format Job Description - RLS - Head of Finance and Administration (26003166)Job Description RLS - Head of Finance and Administration - (26003166) About Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment:Established under Law No. (11) of 2022, Rashid and Latifa Schools (RLS) is a unified educational institution that brings together Latifa School for Girls (founded in 1982) and Rashid School for Boys (founded in 1986). Both schools were originally created by Royal Decree of the late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the vision of delivering world-class education to Emiratis and expatriates alike. As two of Dubai’s oldest and most prestigious schools, RLS has educated generations of leaders and influential figures, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Women’s Establishment, and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. Today, RLS continues this legacy as a modern, integrated institution, dedicated to nurturing excellence and preparing future generations of leaders.Job Description Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities:· Develop and implement RLSE’s finance strategy, financial governance framework, budgeting approach, financial policies, procedures, and reporting model in alignment with the Establishment’s strategic objectives, government financial requirements, and public-sector accountability standards.· Lead the finance function and provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, senior leadership, school leadership, and budget owners to support informed decision-making, financial sustainability, and value-for-money service delivery.· Establish robust financial governance mechanisms covering budget ownership, delegated authorities, expenditure control, revenue management, financial risk escalation, internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness.· Promote a culture of financial discipline, transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, cost consciousness, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of public funds across RLSE.· Lead the development of medium / long -term financial plans, budget forecasts, efficiency plans, cost optimization initiatives, financial scenarios, and financial impact assessments to support strategic and operational planning.· Build effective partnerships with internal stakeholders, government authorities, auditors, banks, suppliers, consultants, and professional networks to strengthen financial compliance, benchmarking, and best-practice adoption.Specialised / Technical Responsibilities:· Lead the annual budget cycle, including budget guidelines, consolidation, review, challenge, prioritization, approval support, budget loading, monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis.· Oversee accounting operations, general ledger integrity, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, accruals, month-end and year-end closing, and financial record accuracy.· Prepare and present timely financial reports, management accounts, dashboards, budget performance reports, financial forecasts, cash flow updates, and financial analysis for senior leadership review.· Ensure compliance with applicable government financial regulations, internal policies, accounting standards, procurement requirements, audit requirements, tax or statutory obligations, and delegated authority frameworks.· Strengthen internal controls over budgeting, payments, procurement support, financial approvals, reconciliations, revenue collection, asset records, payroll coordination, and financial data integrity.· Coordinate external and internal audit activities, prepare audit schedules, respond to audit queries, track audit findings, and implement corrective actions to improve financial governance and control effectiveness.· Provide financial business partnering to schools and departments, including budget advice, cost analysis, financial interpretation, procurement planning support, and financial impact assessment of operational decisions.· Manage cash flow planning, bank coordination, payment scheduling, receivables monitoring, supplier payment controls, and liquidity reporting to ensure effective treasury and working capital management.· Support procurement and contract management by reviewing budget availability, financial evaluation criteria, cost reasonableness, payment terms, and contract financial obligations.· Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures

Note: The posting provided does not contain a clearly delineated 'Requirements', 'Qualifications', or 'Minimum qualifications' section. The content focuses on Leadership and Technical Responsibilities for a Head of Finance and Administration role, but does not specify distinct hard requirements such as years of experience, degrees, or certifications in a separate Requirements section.

Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities: Develop and implement RLSE’s finance strategy, financial governance framework, budgeting approach, financial policies, procedures, and reporting model in alignment with the Establishment’s strategic objectives, government financial requirements, and public-sector accountability standards. Lead the finance function and provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, senior leadership, school leadership, and budget owners to support informed decision-making, financial sustainability, and value-for-money service delivery. Establish robust financial governance mechanisms covering budget ownership, delegated authorities, expenditure control, revenue management, financial risk escalation, internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness. Promote a culture of financial discipline, transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, cost consciousness, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of public funds across RLSE. Lead the development of medium / long -term financial plans, budget forecasts, efficiency plans, cost optimization initiatives, financial scenarios, and financial impact assessments to support strategic and operational planning. Build effective partnerships with internal stakeholders, government authorities, auditors, banks, suppliers, consultants, and professional networks to strengthen financial compliance, benchmarking, and best-practice adoption. Specialised / Technical Responsibilities: Lead the annual budget cycle, including budget guidelines, consolidation, review, challenge, prioritization, approval support, budget loading, monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis. Oversee accounting operations, general ledger integrity, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, accruals, month-end and year-end closing, and financial record accuracy. Prepare and present timely financial reports, management accounts, dashboards, budget performance reports, financial forecasts, cash flow updates, and financial analysis for senior leadership review. Ensure compliance with applicable government financial regulations, internal policies, accounting standards, procurement requirements, audit requirements, tax or statutory obligations, and delegated authority frameworks. Strengthen internal controls over budgeting, payments, procurement support, financial approvals, reconciliations, revenue collection, asset records, payroll coordination, and financial data integrity. Coordinate external and internal audit activities, prepare audit schedules, respond to audit queries, track audit findings, and implement corrective actions to improve financial governance and control effectiveness. Provide financial business partnering to schools and departments, including budget advice, cost analysis, financial interpretation, procurement planning support, and financial impact assessment of operational decisions. Manage cash flow planning, bank coordination, payment scheduling, receivables monitoring, supplier payment controls, and liquidity reporting to ensure effective treasury and working capital management. Support procurement and contract management by reviewing budget availability, financial evaluation criteria, cost reasonableness, payment terms, and contract financial obligations. Develop and maintain financial pol