Director - Finance

Position Vacant: Director - Finance, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, New Delhi

Organizational Background:

- The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is an international scientific organisation headquartered in Paris, France.

- Established in 1920, The Union's goal is to promote national autonomy within the framework of priorities of each country, by developing, implementing, and assessing anti-tuberculosis, lung health and non-communicable disease programmes, as well as other public health issues.

- The Union has been working to improve health for people in low and middle-income countries, by conducting scientific research, and working with governments and other agencies, to translate research into better health for people around the world, and delivering projects directly in the field, driving change to ensure the best quality care.

- The Union Office in India provides public health expertise to the South East Asia region's governments, civil society, corporations and international agencies on tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care, and tobacco control.

- It also conducts operational research, capacity-building programmes and grant-monitoring services.

For more information, please visit https://theunion.org/our-work/south-east-asia

Job Description/ Responsibilities:

- Reporting to the Country Director, India Office (CDIO) and the Chief Finance and Administrative Officer (CFAO), HQ, the Director - Finance (DF) is a critical member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) of the India Office and expected to influence strategic decisions and effectively monitor and guide the organisation's financial planning and management processes.

- This position is responsible for financial management and compliances of the India Office and ensures appropriate controls and accountability of all funds and assets of the organization.

- The DF shall be responsible for the overall fiscal management, financial reporting, and providing strategic support to The Union, India Office.

- This includes planning, organizing, directing and controlling activities related to finance, preparation of the financial reports, budgeting and analysis, auditing and supervision of the finance staff, statutory compliances and governance. S/he shall be responsible for the following tasks:

Key Job Responsibilities:

Strategy Development and Budgeting:

- Collaborate with the CDIO, the CFAO, HQ, Finance and Business Development, the SMT and other functional heads for the development of an integrated strategy, objectives and priorities for The Union, India Office;

- Contribute to The Union's focus areas and priorities, scope for innovations, results-based monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, communication and branding, and fiduciary issues;

- Lead the development of a robust strategy, budgets and annual plan for the Finance function for The Union India Office in alignment with the overall office priorities;

- Anchor and play an active role in the budgeting process of The Union India Office, providing inputs to thematic areas and other functions on key aspects of budgeting, as required;

- Drive and lead the implementation of the finance strategy and ensure adherence to budgets;

- Provide counsel to the CDIO on critical issues pertaining to finance.

Financial Management And Accounting:

Financial Management:

- Direct and coordinate all finance-related function activities in the organisation, ensuring judicious utilization of funds, cost optimization, minimization of financial risk, and adherence to budgets;

- Drive reserves planning and cash flow management strategy and identify potential risk scenarios on a regular basis;

- Mitigate risks, where possible, through suitable investments and insurance instruments;

- Periodically review financial statements and results vis- vis budgets and forecasts for The Union India Office, and ensure proactive management of the implications of financial results on The Union India Office;

- Streamline and ensure effective internal control processes and compliance;

- Develop and drive the Key Performance Indicators with the SMT and build the business partnership with the Program teams.

Grants Management:

- Monitoring of grants budgets and budget utilization to ensure that all financial transactions are as per the approved grants budget;

- Close monitoring of grant expenditures, forecasting and reprogramming as needed to enable efficient utilisation of funds;

- Review Donor and Partner Contracts/ Agreements. Also oversee grants negotiation and due diligence of partners;

- Ensure regular audits and financial reporting of all the grants;

- Timely development of quality donor reports, as per requirement.

Accounting:

Oversee the development and implementation of sound accounting systems, practices and culture to ensure:

- Timely accounts reconciliations;

- Timely processing of payments;

- Timely, comprehensive and quality data entry and documentation;

- Timely generation of periodic financial reports;

- Compliance with The Union's policies, donor as well as statutory requirements in reporting and documentation, financial management of grants and financial accounting;

- Provide first-level authorization and approval for critical deviations/ variances from The Union's financial systems and procedures, as required;

- Undertake system strengthening and improvement periodically for the delivery of quality financial management.

Payroll Processing:

- Timely processing of payroll, as per The Union's compensation policies and guidelines;

- Ensure appropriate and timely inputs are sought from the HR team on employee salary, annual increments, incentives (if any), etc.;

- Adherence to all statutory compliances in administration of the payroll (including appropriate deduction of taxes, PF, etc.)

Audit:

- Ensure the execution of audits in accordance with accepted standards to ensure accountability and transparency;

- Timely completion of all audits (external, partners and internal);

- Provide required support and information to external auditors and auditors appointed by the donors;

- Prompt closure of non-compliances/ issues highlighted in the internal and external audits, as well as audits initiated by donors.

Team Management & Capacity Building:

- Effectively manage the performance of the team including the conduct of performance appraisal of the team members;

- Develop, mentor and support team members to build financial capability for successful financial and operational management at The Union, India Office;

- Effectively address instances of low/ mediocre performance through coaching and capability development;

- Strengthen inter-team communication, engender good team dynamics and resolve internal issues as required;

- Provide support for the identification and recruitment of staff for vacant positions, including conducting interviews as a part of interview panel for senior level positions;

- Ensure financial capacity building (including financial procedures/ systems) of partners for meeting the financial compliance requirements of different grants.

Corporate Governance and Legal:

- Ensure best practice in corporate governance by coordinating and conducting regular meetings and confirming that all legal and ethical compliances are in place including relevant codes of conduct and industry requirements;

- Minimize the legal risk and address all legal issues confronting the organisation;

- Develop and regularly review the Risk Register and a have mitigation plan in place.

Business Development & Representation:

- Contribute to the business strategy to sustain and mobilise additional resources for The Union India Office, including the development of opportunities for revenue generation, and setting up and nurturing new business entities;

- Oversee the development of financial proposal and budgets for new projects, as per the requirement of donors;

- Support the Operations function of The Union India Office as required;

- Serve as the main focal point for the HQ Finance Team to coordinate all finance related matters between the Headquarters and The Union India Office;

- Represent The Union in external meetings, and budget and contract negotiations as assigned by the CDIO.

Other: Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the CDIO and the CFAO, HQ.

Qualifications, Experience And Competencies:

Qualifications:

- Applicants must be qualified Chartered Accountants with relevant experience in financial management, auditing, and compliance;

- Sound understanding of Indian Accounting Standards, fund accounting and legal and regulatory compliance along with the requirements of Income Tax Act, FCRA, Companies Act, Service Tax and labour laws, is essential.

Experience:

- A minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience, including at least seven years in a senior management role within a large, international non-profit organization;

- Experience in managing multiple grants, with a minimum annual budget of USD 4-5 million;

- Applicants must possess knowledge and experience with all organizational formats related to the development sector, including Branch, Trust, Private Limited, Foundation, and Not-for-Profit entities.

Skills And Competencies:

- Strong understanding of internal controls and risk management;

- Knowledge of the latest industry trends and best practices, including understanding of various international donor regulations;

- Strong computer skills including familiarity with accounting software, ERP, Database software and MS Office;

- Ability to maintain robust relationships with external stakeholders including donors, government counterparts and other external counterparts;

- Strong skills and interest in mentoring, guiding and supporting teams in the effective delivery of outputs;

- Ability to handle high levels of work pressure;

- Ability to work in a diverse environment with prior experience of interacting with the senior leadership of the organization on strategic matters;

- Strong communication, presentation and analytical skills;

- Fluency in written and spoken English and Hindi.

Compensation Offered: Gross compensation budgeted for the position is attractive. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history.

Duration Of Contract : This is a full-time position, with an open-ended contract.

Travel: As necessary

Location: New Delhi