Head of Finance. Application Pack. Innovative conservation since 1903

Head of Finance

Application Pack

Innovative conservation since 1903

“In the past century FFI has consistently saved species from extinction and protected habitats from destruction. Their solutions have always been practical, efficient and sustainable in local circumstances.”

Sir David Attenborough, FFI Vice-president

FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, whilst improving the livelihoods of local people. Our guiding principles are to work through local partnerships, act as a catalyst for change, make conservation relevant and base decisions on sound science. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body.

We are acutely aware of the challenges we face. The world’s remaining natural habitats, and the species that depend on them for survival, are under greater pressure than at any time in recent history. However, with the health of the planet now firmly centre-stage, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a real difference.

Our success in doing so will depend on us conveying to a broader audience how our distinctive characteristics differentiate us from other organisations, while reinforcing our value in the eyes of existing donors and other stakeholders, and attracting income to the organisation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a pro-active Head of Finance to provide strong technical and managerial leadership for the finance function within FFI, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and leading an established team in the further development of systems, reporting and controls to deliver excellent support for the organisation and its programme delivery.

The post holder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, the rest of the Senior Management Team and with Programme Directors to establish a strong framework of financial control and monitoring. S/he will act as part of the Management Team and will work with our overseas offices and with FFI entities in the USA, Australia and Singapore in order to deliver cohesive and comprehensive financial management across the organisation. The post holder will need to engage with staff at all levels across the organisation, as well as Trustees, professional advisers, donors and suppliers.

The post holder will be a qualified accountant with post-qualification team-leader experience, used to providing guidance and decision support to a wide range of stakeholders. Good systems skills will be important, as well as a collaborative management style, with the ability to coach and mentor both UK-based and overseas finance staff, as well as the ability to present effectively to non-finance managers.

The role would suit someone who has experience of working in a diverse and complex environment, preferably with sector experience and with exposure to international operations. Working with programme and financial teams across the 40+ countries in which we operate will be a key part of this role; therefore some international travel will be required. We are keen to build on the development we have achieved in recent times and are looking for an individual with real potential to grow with the organisation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration of contract: Open

Probation Period: Six months

Salary range: £60,000 - £70,000, dependent on skills and experience

Location: Fauna & Flora International, Cambridge, UK

Benefits: 25 working days annual holiday entitlement plus Public/Bank

Holidays and any normal working days that fall between 24th

December to 1st January inclusive, during which time FFI UK

offices are closed.

FFI currently provides a pension contribution of 2% of salary after 3 months’ continuous employment, rising to 8% of salary after the completion of 6 months’ continuous employment, or following completion of probationary period, whichever is the later.

FFI also provides Group Life insurance for all staff on Cambridge-based contracts, currently set at a benefit of 4 x basic salary.

Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm, with a one-hour lunch break.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Head of Finance

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

Line manages: Finance Manager, Reporting & Systems Financial Controller

Finance Business Partner (Asia Pacific)

Finance Business Partner (Africa, Eurasia & Americas) Finance Business Partner (Conservation Partnerships) Regional Finance Manager (Asia Pacific)

Key internal relationships: Senior Management Team Programme Directors

Purpose of the role

To ensure the efficient and effective management of FFI’s financial resources in accordance with established accounting principles, industry best practice, and FFI business needs.

To provide monitoring of financial and compliance risk and work with the Senior Management Team to minimise the impact of such risks.

Financial Management and Reporting

 Support the Senior Management Team and the Management Team by providing

recommendations, guidance and advice on financial management issues and ensure effective provision of guidance and advice to all staff within the organisation regarding financial management and reporting

 Oversee maintenance of the organisation’s statutory accounts and returns, in accordance with

established accounting principles; delivering annual charity and consolidated accounts to an agreed timetable and maintaining oversight and responsibility for the annual audit process

 Oversee the production of timely and accurate monthly management accounts and supporting

analysis and commentary, and report on these to management teams and to Trustees as appropriate

 Manage the processes deployed to ensure effective recovery of employment and indirect costs

from programmes, building an effective financial model(s) for FFI to ensure that costs are being suitably absorbed

 Ensure that there are effective processes in place to provide required reporting to donors,

liaising with programme teams and project managers and programme finance staff to ensure delivery

 Maintain effective relationships with other FFI entities, developing processes and ensuring

clear visibility and transparency for effective stakeholder reporting and monitoring

Strategy, budgets and forecasting

 As part of the Management Team, contribute to the development of business plans to support

FFI’s vision and mission, contributing to the evaluation and monitoring of performance against these

 Be responsible for the budgeting and forecasting process for the organisation and provide, in

conjunction with the Management Team, appropriate reporting and analysis of variances and support for decision making to Senior Management Team and the Trustees

 Participate in review and monitoring processes to evaluate performance against budget, review

risks and issues and agree corrective actions with Programme Directors

 Develop templates, guidance and models to ensure that budgets to support proposals are

rigorous, capture costs appropriately and ensure that resources are deployed effectively, in order for FFI to remain financially stable whilst delivering its conservation objectives

Financial control

 Develop and embed effective financial policies and procedures to ensure sound financial

management across the organisation, including in overseas branches

 Ensure provision of monitoring and reporting on the global cash position of FFI, maintaining

working capital forecasting, ensuring FFI is mitigating exchange risk where necessary

 Maintain and further develop appropriate financial systems to support FFI’s financial

information requirements, monitoring and ensuring their continued effectiveness

 Maintain effective working relationships with professional advisers such as auditors and banks

 Oversee FFI’s overseas finance functions, ensuring appropriate controls, systems, processes,

and compliance with FFI financial policies and procedures

 Manage the delivery of grant and contract financial management for FFI and assess the

financial and compliance risk of individual programmes at FFI. Recommend, and implement where appropriate, changes to mitigate assessed risk of FFI programmes, and feed into FFI’s risk management framework

 Maintain a suitable framework for delegation of authorities, ensuring effective control

mechanisms are in place and compliance is upheld

 Fulfil FFI’s tax reporting to government and compliance with relevant tax legislation

 Ensure that statutory reporting requirements in jurisdictions within which FFI operates are met

 Ensure provision of financial support and advice to programme teams, including donor

reporting and managing grant audits, with particular emphasis on statutory grant support from European and US statutory agencies

Team management and development

 Provide line management through objective setting, continuous performance management,

annual appraisal, training provision and personal development planning to develop individuals and their functions

 Oversee the service delivery of the activities of the finance function, setting and agreeing key

performance indicators and targets for improvement

 Remain up-to-date with key technical accounting and legal developments and funder

requirements, such that appropriate policies, procedures and systems can be maintained to meet these requirements, and that individual team members also receive appropriate education and development to fulfil requirements

 Recruit and train financial staff, including staff overseas; support the development of financial

skills of programme managers

 Carry out any other reasonable duties that are consistent with the post and the aims and

objectives of the position

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Desirable

Skills  Qualified Accountant (CCAB or overseas equivalent) with substantial PQE experience

 Proven line management of large

teams in a complex global setting

 Statutory reporting and group

consolidations

 Financial systems management

 Excellent verbal and written

communications skills

 Multi-disciplinary skills (e.g. risk,

governance, legal)

 Grant/contract management

 Proficiency in Microsoft Office

applications, especially Excel

 Masters of Business

Administration (MBA) degree or equivalent level

qualification

 Foreign language(s) relevant

to any of FFI’s locations (particularly French, Spanish, or Bahasa Indonesia)

Knowledge and

experience

 Managing statutory audits

 Extensive experience as a senior

finance professional within a similar organisation

 Extensive experience of working within

an international charity environment, with complex funding bases across multiple stakeholders

 Proven ability to develop and

implement effective policies, procedures and controls to govern financial management processes

 Experience of treasury/FX

management and foreign currency accounting

 Experience of compliance

requirements for a UK-based company, such as VAT, PAYE etc

 Experience of Access

Dimensions & FocalPoint, or similar accounting systems

 Understanding of funding

conditions of key funders, such as the EC and US government

Behavioural qualities

 Highly motivated and autonomous

 Collegiate management style,

supporting a multi-skilled team

 Collaborative working style to enable

effective cross-functional relationships

 Personable, able to work and

communicate effectively with highly qualified professionals in other disciplines

 Interest in and empathy with

the mission and values of FFI

HOW TO APPLY

Applications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you are applying for the position and relating your experience and skills to the role, a full CV, and contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission), should be submitted electronically to

[email protected].

Please mark the subject line of your application ‘Head of Finance’ and indicate in your covering

letter where you saw this position advertised.

The closing date for applications is 22 November 2015. Interviews will take place on 8-9

December 2015.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

No agencies please.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

FFI encourages applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application, please contact Kathie Alban, HR Manager, FFI, on Tel: +44 (0)1223 579330 or Email: [email protected].