Associate Director at Heifer International

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

Accountable to manage financial aspects of large scale grant funded programs/projects by providing independently-lead support across various area programs and teams. Accountable for the maintenance and adoption of methods and practices in grant management and compliance, budgeting, internal/external auditing, and systems development and implementation of standard operating procedures across the division. Accountable for the origination and implementation of policies and standard operating procedures across the division.

Accountable to promote best-practices in grant management and compliance, further strengthening stakeholder confidence in Heifer’s oversight management functions. Will contribute to continuous improvement in all aspects of Heifer’s finance and accounting work by going beyond established procedures or models to identify new approaches which expand the range of services delivered.

Accountable to enhance and protect Heifer’s organizational value by monitoring compliance to Heifer’s internal policies and procedures. The Associate Director assesses internal controls over operational and financial activities and reporting and compliance functions, with coverage ranging from country office assessments to project compliance reviews and supports pre- and post-award finance and accounting activities.

The Associate Director will partner closely with the Director to chart the teams strategic response to an ever-increasing demand for the organization’s services by developing project planning and execution frameworks which support effective delivery of services.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Strong commitment to personal and team excellence; excellent interpersonal skills; strong drive to work cooperatively and diplomatically with a culturally diverse group of people. Secures collaboration/agreement from colleagues and/or clients, identifying recognition of mutual/complimentary interests. Candidate must display improvisation and flexibility in a rapidly changing environment and ability to work under pressure.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES A. Support the Programs Division in pre-award grant proposal development, review and negotiation. Provide support on post-award financial and accounting management to ensure compliance with donor agreements. (70%)

• Proposal budget review and/or preparation
• Coordinate and monitor project burn-rates
• Monitor compliance with grant agreements.
• Collaborate with team members to monitor and/or prepare accurate and timely donor reporting, dashboards and other key donor deliverables
• Provide Programs Division with input on key financial aspects of programs/projects
• Complement ongoing documentation and implementation of industry standard grant management and compliance procedures
• Regular and timely expenditure review**B. Monitor regulatory and organizational compliance of financial activities are in place within the country program offices and support global consolidation of financial statements. (20%)**
• Continuously monitor and assess adequacy of country systems and procedures for transparent accounting, financial management and reporting.
• Coordinate and/or perform internal reviews to eliminate or reduce fraud opportunities, performing assurance and monitoring procedures.
• Facilitate independent external audits and other agreed-upon procedures as assigned, including auditor scheduling and communications, financial information requests, internal control questionnaires and follow-up
• Partner with Enterprise Accounting in the periodic close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements for global consolidation
• Support implementation and institutionalization of Heifer’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, including capturing and sharing of best practices for cross-area replication and support.**C. May perform other job-related duties as assigned (10%)**
• Delegated authority to act on behalf of the Director.
• Partner with the Director in essential internal leadership activities and planning.
• Carrying out supervisory responsibilities of special projects that include planning, assigning and directing the work of team members and/or peers, in addition to training staff within the department.
• Issues technical advice to peers and/or subordinates for compliance with goals and policies.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, plus seven (7) years of relevant experience or Master’s degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration or related field, plus five (5) years of related experience.
• Experience in a donor-funded international development environment with compliance requirements of the U.S. government and institutional funders for international development, such USAID, EU, IFAD, DFID, mega-foundations and others.
• Project management experience, with project management certification a plus.
• Supervisory experience.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

1. Knowledge of the U.S. non-profit and INGO business sector, including compliance requirements of the U.S. government; Knowledge of institutional funders for international development, a plus.
2. Ability to navigate financial and non-financial data gathering and analytics; technically adept with ability to quickly learn and maximize usage of technology and software; effective user of Microsoft Office Suite with intermedate skill in MS Excel.
3. Effective communicator and influencer with ability to clearly convey complex financial issues in a clear format for non-finance professions, motivating continuous and collaborative improvement.
4. Proficient in generally accepted accounting principles.
5. Experience with accounting systems and systems conversions.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

1. Ability to work under pressure, perform multiple tasks and manage consistently competing priorities; comfortable in rapidly changing environment. Must be flexible and able to improvise to handle a variety of situations.
2. Ability to effectively mentor and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies. Strong facilitation skills preferred.
3. Ability to work with delicate personnel situations and to maintain confidentiality.
4. Ability to maintain close relationships and work with team members from a distance and with limited opportunity for personal interaction.
5. Constant sitting and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
6. Constant face-to-face, electronic and telephone communication with colleagues and the general public.
7. Ability to prepare documents and other materials in a well-designed and attractive format, with attention to detail
8. Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
9. Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
10. Adequate physical condition necessary to travel to project sites in rural areas.

What We Offer:

1. A seat at the table to help drive peak performance in a growing, lifechanging organization
2. Encouragement to be innovative and creative
3. Performance-based recognition and rewards
4. A diverse and collaborative team