WiserEarth Governance

The Organization:

The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) is an international feminist organization working to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women's rights advocates, organizations and movements internationally.

Overview:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for providing leadership and day-to-day management of the finance and administration functions for AWID, and ensuring that these functions meet full legal and fiduciary requirements in each of the offices of the organization.

The Director of Finance and Administration role will:

• Focus on planning, implementing and managing the finance and administration functions for the Toronto office
• Develop and lead the execution and monitoring of the finance and administration plan for other AWID offices
• Effectively supervise the Bookkeeper and Office Coordinator positions in Toronto
• Oversee the Office Coordinator positions in AWID’s remote offices.

Responsibilities:

Financial Control & Management

• Works with the Executive Director and management team to proactively mitigate financial and legal risks to the organization and its board members
• Establish and implement internal controls, and administrative systems, policies and procedures to ensure that AWIDs day-to-day operational activities are efficient and effective, and are in-line with approved strategic initiatives and budgetary allocations.
• Ensures that all programs and activities meet legislative requirements in the international regions in which it operate, board policies and directions and funding body criteria
• Manages day-to-day operations of the Finance and Administration department
• Provides proactive, transparent and in-depth financial analysis to enhance the organization’s leaderships and operations
• Ensures reporting to funding sources is proactively and effectively completed by management staff and provides timely, accurate and clear reports to funders and donors
• Manages liquidity, investments and foreign exchange per established policies and procedures
• Prepares and presents financial budgets and financial narrative reports for the review of the board of directors and management team
• Performs financial analysis, forecasting, reporting and monitoring the achievement of funding goals and the use of financial resources
• Recommends broad policy initiatives in areas such as privacy, compensation grids and salary scales for the consideration of the Executive Director and board of directors
• Develops and oversees the annual audit
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, donations processing and receipting
• Manages bank transactions including wire transfers, renewal of Certificates of Deposit, and keeping track of signing authorities
• Completes applications for suppliers and vendors and maintain accurate and complete reporting by establishing effective accounting systems and procedures for all initiatives and regional/remote offices

HR/Finance

• Review employee time-sheets and administer monthly payroll
• Administer the staff health benefit and retirement plan
• Administer all employee leaves (voluntary and involuntary)
• Processes employee expense reports in a timely manner and in accordance with policies and procedures, internal controls and budgetary commitments

Administration

• Ensures effective administration and maintenance of administrative systems and information, such as databases, email addresses and passwords, files systems (soft and hard), phone and fax systems including Skype and other web/video/audio conferencing systems
• Oversee and support the Bookkeeper and Office Coordinator in providing administrative support including answering and directing phone calls, handling email and walk-in inquiries, data entry, and donor reports,
• Coordinate the purchase of all office supplies for the Toronto office, and oversee the spending of office supplies in regional/remote offices

Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum 5 years prior experience as Finance Manager or similar role, including at least 3-5 years with a non-profit organization
• Minimum 3 - 5 years experience in financial management, in particular in the development, monitoring and reporting on the financial status of the organization and programs

Academic Qualifications:

• University degree in business, nonprofit management, accounting, finance or related field
• Completion of a recognized accounting designation such as CA, CGA, CMA

Expertise & Skills:

• Knowledge of accounting procedures and protocols, budget administration and financial forecasting, analysis and reporting
• Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation affecting charities and charitable status including CRA regulations in Canada
• Strong donor and funder management experience
• Proven ability to supervise and mentor staff and engage staff members
• Strong knowledge of general HR/Finance functions such as pension and group benefits and expense processes
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated capacity to think strategically with expertise in complex problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills
• Proficiency with computerized financial systems, databases, pay pal processing and excel spreadsheets
• Knowledge and interest in women’s rights and feminism

Assets:

• Experience working in an international organization with offices in multiple countries
• Knowledge of finance and accounting regulations in the US, Mexico and South Africa
• Experience supervising staff in remote locations
• Courses or certificates in executive leadership, women's/feminist studies, financial management and human resource management
• Fluent in Spanish

To Apply:

Please submit a current CV, along with a cover letter that addresses how you meet the necessary qualifications and outlines why you want to work for an international women’s organization, to the attention of Allison Jack by email to ajack@awid.org. Please include ‘Director of Finance and Administration’ in the subject line of the email.

The application closing date is March 16, 2009.

We thank all those who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls please. AWID encourages, promotes and support diversity in all aspects of its work.

To learn more about AWID and our programs, please visit our website at www.awid.org.