Chief Financial Officer At GOAL

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a team of 3,000 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 14 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

GOAL has an annual budget of an estimated €170 million and is supported by a range of donors including the Governments of Ireland, UK, USA, the European Union, individuals, trusts and foundations. GOAL values the power of partnership and works with local and international partners to achieve its mission.

Job Purpose

GOAL is seeking an accomplished individual to serve as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The ideal candidate will have experience with overseeing financial operations in the non-profit sector and ideally in international relief and development.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations for the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CFO provides accounting, budgetary, programmatic support, and strategic financial guidance on all aspects of the business. The CFO directly oversees and supervises the financial/accounting staff as directed by the CEO and is supported by a Finance Director. The CFO serves as a critical member of the Senior Management Team guiding the CEO in the development and implementation of the agency’s vision and mission.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

Provide insightful and trusted advice to the CEO and senior management team on both financial and finance related business issues impacting the overall performance of the organisation.
Serve as a key member of the senior management in providing input to management peers regarding the financial implications of all major business decisions, as well as strategic input in shaping GOAL’s strategic objectives.
Provide leadership, direction, and management to the Finance Director, HQ finance team (20 people), roving financial controllers (3 people) and liaison with field accountants in fourteen countries.

Financial Management Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of GOAL. Ensure high quality reviews and management of accounting systems, policies, procedures, compliance, and the internal financial control environment.
Prepare, analyse, and present monthly financial reports on a timely basis and report financial results and issues to the CEO, Audit and Risk Committee and the Board.
Provide technical finance and accounting leadership and inputs into general strategic and tactical issues impacting the business.
Lead the development of annual budgets for the organisation, and new/proposed programs, including the preparation of budget revisions as needed and the impact of opening or closing new fields.
Oversee the management of the organisation’s treasury functions including banking activities, managing foreign exchange and cash flow.
Serve as the agency’s primary liaison with its Statutory Auditor to ensure the annual audit is completed smoothly and in a timely manner and to ensure donor audits are managed professionally.
Oversee the coordination of the statutory and institutional donor audits in GOAL Ireland, UK, US, and all field operations.
Coordinate and facilitate Audit and Risk Committee meetings.

Systems and Innovation

Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of finance systems, initiatives and processes in HQ and fields globally.
Monitor changes in legal, regulatory, and administrative environments and implement changes in procedures and needed to maintain compliance while maximizing operational and financial results.
Review efficiency/effectiveness of the organisation, seeking approaches to lower costs as appropriate and to provide financial analysis of opportunities and risks as they arise.

Essential Qualifications and Characteristics

Commitment and adherence to organizational GOAL values.
Success serving as the key member of a senior management team in providing input to the CEO, Board, and management peers regarding the financial implications of all major business decisions, as well as strategic objectives.
Accounting Qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA).
Minimum 10 years’ post qualification experience.
Experience in managing large teams.
Proven track record engaging with Board Members and Board Advisors.
Strong technical accounting skills with IFRS exposure.
Excellent verbal, analytical, organisational, and written skills.
Persuasive and professional communication skills (written and oral).
Proven track record in managing multiple teams internationally.
Ability to think deeply and qualitatively about business problems, breaking down issues and presenting solutions.
Ability to foster and cultivate business opportunities and partnerships in multiple departments.
High work ethic.
Willingness to travel.
Impeccable integrity and ethical standards.