Head of Global Finance At Interpeace

Reporting to: Senior Director of Global Operations and CFO

Location: Interpeace Geneva Office, Interpeace Brussels office preferred. Home based (Europe) or other IP offices possible. The role requires frequent travel

Type of position: L6 S7

Application closing: 15 November, 2021

Job start date: February, 2022

Background

Interpeace is an international peacebuilding organisation that strengthens the ability of societies to manage conflict themselves in sustainable and non-violent ways. Interpeace designs and delivers its work tailored to each situation in partnership with local partners and communities, based on extensive consultation and research. Interpeace also ensures that the processes of conflict management and change that it supports are integrated at all levels of society including local communities, civil society, government and the international community (we call it a ‘Track 6’ approach).

Interpeace was originally established by the United Nations and remains its strategic partner. Beyond field-based peacebuilding, Interpeace also assists the international community – particularly the UN – to be more effective in supporting peacebuilding efforts worldwide. This includes contributing innovative thought leadership on peacebuilding policies and practices.

Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organization

The Head of Global Finance is a member of the Finance section of the Global Operations Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director of Global Operations, the Head of Global Finance is a member of the management team with a main contributor role in the organization’s strategic financial decision-making and a fiduciary responsibility to protect its assets and reputation. The position oversees the Headquarters’ and global finance team and is responsible for overseeing and enhancing Interpeace’s financial efficiency, including optimal coverage of cost from restricted project funding and minimizing financial risks; this encompasses Interpeace finance systems, and the global adequacy of policies and procedures – and that collectively they result in accurate and timely financial records that are accessible by the groups that rely on the information for proper decision making and compliance. S/He ensures that the internal financial systems, policies and procedures meet reporting requirements of Interpeace as well as external needs, particularly those of donors and statutory reporting requirements.

Purpose and General Overview

Working closely with and under the oversight of the Senior Director of Global Operations, the Head of Global Finance is responsible for Interpeace’s finance management and global compliance, managing and developing the Interpeace financial manual (policies and procedures) and reporting systems (software and other tools) to ensure that Interpeace is capable of delivering timely and accurate financial data with sufficient internal controls to the various reporting audiences, internal and external.

The Head of Global Finance position offers major responsibility and influence across our global operations, creating a critical platform for further improving Interpeace’s financial sustainability and impact within the peacebuilding sector

The key long-term objectives of the post are to:

1. Develop and improve the finance strategy to support the organisational vision.
2. Maintain a cohesive team aligned with the organisational strategy and that is equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to implement their objectives
3. Capture, prepare, and present financial information to the different internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis, so that it can be used to further improve pro-active organisational decision-making.
4. Ensure cash and treasury management, and controlling costs globally.
5. Strengthen our reporting systems including forecasting and planning systems.
6. Maintain external relations, partnerships and networks, including those with banks, auditors, donors, and other INGOs in support of our Finance objectives.
7. Work with the Information Technology team (IT) and the rest of the Operations team to further utilise and support SunSystems Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation in field offices.
8. Pro-actively communicate and collaborate with the Global Management Team of Directors (GMT) and their departments so that the Finance Department serves to support Interpeace’s organisational objectives and values.

Duties and responsibilities

Finance and Cash Management

• While reporting and being accountable directly to the Senior Director of Global Operations, work closely together with departmental directors of the GMT, in assessing organisational performance against both the annual budget and the organisation’s long-term strategic objectives.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the Senior Director of Global Operations and GMT and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations. Assume responsibility for the organisation’s financial management reporting.
• Prepare the reporting, in cooperation with the Senior Director of Global Operations, to the Board and the Audit Committee around financial issues and trends, related to our operating model(s) and operational delivery.
• Establish yearly objectives for the global finance team and select and engage outside consultants, auditors, and bankers, as appropriate to fulfil those goals.
• Ensure that cash-flow forecasting is developed and that accurate cash forecasting is maintained.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning, cost management, and reserve build-up in alignment with the organisation’s strategic plan.
• Be in full control of the financial condition of the organisation and ensure the Senior Director of Global Operations and GMT are fully aware of the financial state of the organisation at any required time.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, as well as the quarterly updated forecasting.
• Consolidate and analyse monthly overview and update on cash flow situation.
• Analyse, consolidate and report quarterly on Interpeace’s financial income and expenditure. Ensure that monthly “Budget vs. Actual” reports are presented to all programme managers and main stakeholders.
• Develop financial modelling, financial forecasts and financial analysis to support and monitor the annual financial plan and long-term strategy.
• Develop regular reporting and analysis, including key financial metrics reports, and conduct ad hoc financial analysis as required in coordination with the Senior Director of Global Operations.

Financial risk management

• Analyse all foreign exchange risk, in coordination with Managers, monitor Forex gains/losses on all grant contracts.
• Review foreign exchange reporting policy on all foreign currency grants to ensure minimal exposure to the organisation.
• In coordination with the global finance and programme management team, monitor budget execution of all grant contracts.
• Ensure compliance of grant contracts.
• In coordination with the Global Compliance Officer, ensure that adequate internal controls are functioning to guarantee accurate transaction entry in the accounting system and that the potential for fraud is reduced to a minimum.
• Ensure that all appropriate closure processes are used to guarantee the accuracy of financial data.

Audit, Internal Controls and Compliance

• Oversee continuous improvement of all accounting and financial policies and processes.
• Ensure that all financial reporting is completed in a timely manner.
• Produce consolidated Interpeace Group accounts in accordance with IFRS. Support and oversee audits and use the outcomes from the different reviews to improve Interpeace’s internal financial processes.
• Ensure that external and project audits are adequately supported and monitor the evolution of the audit to minimize potential risks.
• Serve as key point of contact for external auditors in coordination with the Senior Director of Global Operations.
• Work closely together with the Global Compliance officer on control and audit issues.
• Oversee continuous improvement of the finance internal control systems (Internal Control Checklist – ICC), its use and filing of all supporting documentation.
• Oversee the development of the Finance Team to achieve best practices and optimal output, while reducing costs where appropriate and possible; this includes ongoing review of the various financial processes for efficiency (including automation where possible) and appropriate controls.
• Serve as focal point of escalation for internal control issues, fraud or corruption concerns.

Team Management

• Mentor and develop a direct global team of finance managers, officers and assistants.
• Manage work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance management and the building of an effective and dynamic team. Ensure that the finance team have the required tools and skills to perform their work to a high standard and that they work efficiently and effectively.
• Provide for appropriate career-building and professional development activities to ensure a climate of growth for all finance employees.
• Encourage a culture of continuous process improvement in the Finance team for greater efficiency and productivity without compromising internal controls.
• Develop and manage projects with the finance team globally to reduce manual processes, paperwork, duplicate entries and any other inefficiencies in our finance management and processes.
• Develop financial content for internal and external finance training and ensure that there is a professional development internal strategy to build Interpeace financial skills, as well as those of partners.

Qualifications:

Education

• Advanced degree in Accounting / Finance, preferably CPA (or equivalent) qualification.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in accounting and financial reporting in diverse work environments, with at least five years in an NGO environment.
• At least five years in a staff management position and with oversight of donor reporting and oversight for compliance with donor contractual requirements.
• Field experience at regional or field country offices.

Competencies

• Advanced English and French are required for this position.
• Good knowledge of IFRS reporting and demonstrated experience.
• Good knowledge and demonstrated experience of ERP and accounting software.
• Good knowledge of donor reporting requirements and regulations.
• Be a change agent, who listens and consults people, in order to help Interpeace to further adapt, build and grow its efficiency and impact.
• Ability to present complex financial data in a format that is easily comprehensible to readers who may not necessarily have a finance background.
• Excellent knowledge of and ability to apply management principles as they relate to multi-cultural and complex organizations.
• Ability to manage staff from diverse backgrounds and to mentor and motivate them to achieve a high level of performance.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Ability to interact with people respectfully and with tact.
• Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and good judgment.

Interpeace Competencies

• Collaboration and Weaving
• Communication
• Drive for results
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning
• Respect for Diversity

Other requirements

• Frequent travel required (estimated 4-5 trips per year)

Assets/desired

• Additional IT software skills such as modelling in Business Intelligence software.
• Additional Interpeace working languages would be an advantage.

Success factors

• Identifies with and is committed to Interpeace’s core values and working principles.
• Commitment to inclusiveness.
• An innovative, critical thinker with extensive problem-solving skills.
• A strategic manager who is accountable, leads by example, mentors and empowers a team and works to create work-life balance.