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Head of Finance and Operations The World YWCA

World YWCA
Vacancy Notice
Department: Finance and Operations
Position Title: Head of Finance and Operations
Status: Full time position
Reports to: General Secretary
Job Environment
The World YWCA is a membership organization present in 125 countries with an outreach of 25 million women and girls. The World YWCA’s highest policy-making body is the World Council that meets every four years, with a World Board directing policy between Council meetings. The World YWCA’s programme is defined its four year strategic framework, which seeks to advance women’s intergenerational leadership, women’s rights, movement building and good governance. The key priorities of the World YWCA movement are inter-generational leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV, violence against women and movement building.
The World Office in Geneva is organised around three teams, namely programme, communications, and finance and operations, along with the General Secretariat. The General Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, supported by the Deputy General Secretary and the staff team in implementing the organisation’s strategic framework. The YWCA sustains its work through contributions from member associations, private and public funding, investments and other partners.
This position of Head of Finance and Operations reports to the General Secretary with day-to-day supervision by the Deputy General Secretary The primary responsibility of the Finance and Operations team is to ensure efficient management and administration of the organization’s assets and resources for the World YWCA to effectively deliver on its long term vision and its short term strategic framework. The core objectives of the Head of Finance and Operations include:
  • Effectively manage the organization’s human and financial resources, and operations to support implementation of the World YWCA Strategic Framework and operate in accordance with the Standards of Good Management and Accountability.
  • Ensure quality budgeting, monitoring and reporting of the organisation’s finances
  • Provide leadership to the Finance and Operations team to deliver on its core functions, as well as fostering unity of purpose, coordination and collaboration among the team
  • Contribute to the leadership team of the organization supporting the General Secretary in the management and leadership of the World YWCA
Specific duties include the following:
1. Strategic Planning and Budgeting,
  • Lead the preparation of the quadrennial budget in consultation with the General Secretariat and programme team for review by the Board and approval by the World Council
  • Lead the preparation of the annual budget for Board approval, in consultation with relevant staff, ensuring coherence with the internal budget controls and finance policy
  • Contribute to the development of programme budgets in line with the approved quadrennial work plan and budget
  • Provide systematic budget monitoring and produce monthly reports for management and quarterly reports for Board on financial results against budget
  • Monitor and provide periodical updates on the Budget Assumptions and Risks Management Plan for policy and programmatic decisions
2. Accounting, Reporting and Audit
  • Provide guidance on the organisation’s financial and audit policies for Board review and management implementation
  • Provide technical support and advice to the Board Committees responsible for finance, human resources and audit
  • Work with staff in the team to ensure that all financial accounts and records are in accordance with internal guidelines and policies and conform to International Financial Reporting Standards
  • Monitor and review financial reporting mechanisms to ensure that they accurately represent investments and comply with legal requirements
  • Review the annual terms of reference for the audit in consultation with the General Secretary and the Board Treasurer, and oversee preparation of the accounts in accordance with the agreed auditing timelines
  • Provide a management response to the Auditors recommendations and implement decisions taken by the Board
3. Treasury and Investment management:
  • Assess regularly the financial situation of the organization, monitoring cash flow projections in relation to approved budgets and advise the General Secretary on financial matters
  • Ensure sound investment of the organisation’s assets in line with investment policies, in collaboration with the Investment AdvisoryGroup
  • Periodically review the Investment Policy and make recommendations as appropriate to the Board Treasurer and the General Secretary
  • Ensure use of World YWCA funds in accordance with policies and guidelines
4. Fund Development /Resource Mobilisation
  • Contribute to the development and review of the organisation's fundraising strategy to support implementation of the Strategic Framework
  • Provide the resource and donor analysis to ensure the organization has sufficient human and financial resources to deliver its annual workplan
  • Provide oversight of the donor database and ensure the necessary systems, processes, tools and reports for donor tracking and management
  • Ensure quality and timely financial reporting to donors aligned with donor requirements and narrative reports produced by programme staff
5. Human Resources Management
  • Oversee the implementation and review of the Human Resource Strategy and Personnel Policies and Regulations in close consultation with the General Secretary
  • Provide advice and support to the General Secretary in human resource management, including staff recruitment, employment,appraisal and termination processes
  • Undertake periodic research to ensure that the World YWCA Conditions of Service are within the parameters of the sector within the host country
  • Develop and implement the staff development/training plan of the organisation.
  • Review and implement the organisation’s volunteer policies and guidelines
  • Provide leadership and supervision of the Finance and Operations team
6. Administration and Facilities Management
  • Ensure World YWCA compliance with all statutory requirements in Switzerland
  • Maintain close collaboration with the local authorities and other relevant institutions in the host country
  • Supervises management of ICT facilities as well as the acquisition of equipment and supplies
  • Supervises management of all YWCA owned or rented properties and premises
Qualifications and Competencies
1. Academic qualifications in finance or accounting, preferably at post graduate level.
2. Minimum of 3-5 years experience in a similar position or in a financial/accounting leadership role.
3. Previous experience in organisation and programme budgeting, monitoring and reporting
4. Demonstrated knowledge of human resource management, including staff recruitment, employment and performance appraisal and review processes
5. Competency with electronic accounting system packages and proficient literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Access). Knowledge of SUN accounting system would be an asset.
6. Knowledge and experience of International Financial Reporting Standards, and preferably Swiss legal requirements pertaining to non-profit organisations
7. Proficiency in written and spoken English and French. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
8. Experience working in an NGO environment and supporting volunteer board and committee structures, preferably within the women’s movement
9. A commitment to the vision and purpose of the World YWCA movement and the empowerment of women and girls
10. Ability to work in an international cross-cultural environment, with a small staff team and volunteers.
Terms and conditions of service will be commensurate with the post and will be discussed with short listed candidates. Subject to the primary need for competence, due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting personnel reflecting a diverse geographical and confessional basis, without distinction as to race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious conviction, HIV status, age, sexual orientation or handicapping condition.
Application process: Please forward your cover letter addressing the qualificationsand competencies and curriculum vitae no later than 7 November 2011 by emailmarked to the attention of the Human Resources Officer.
Email: hresources@worldywca.org
No telephone enquiries, please. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.