Director, Finance and Operations – Sri Lanka

 

Director, Finance and Operations – Sri Lanka

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Director, Finance and Operations (F&O) to join its Sri Lanka programs. The Director F&O will be responsible for providing oversight and supervising the day-to-day operations including financial, logistics, human resources, grants, procurement and related administrative operations of the country program by performing the duties listed below. Reporting to the Country Director, the position is based in Colombo, but will require frequent travel to different parts of the country, when permitted given travel restrictions due to COVID-19. This position is available immediately.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Director F&O will supervise the Finance and Operations aspects of the program; human resources; operations and compliance including procurement; grants management; and general administration and work closely with the program, gender and M&E teams.

Finance

• Provides overall management of the Country Office’s Finance and Human Resources Department to ensure that optimum financial support is provided to the Country Office program as per NDI rules and regulations.
• Supports and provides advice to the Country Director on all financial matters, including day to day financial operation, monthly review of financial documentation to be submitted to the home office, regular budget forecasting and projections, both internal and external audits and local tax issues.
• Minimizes financial risk specifically in the areas of cash management and treasury (foreign exchange).
• Advise the program team with sub grantee contracts. Provides advice & expertise at the project/program budget proposal development and final submission stage; financial implementation and monitoring.
• Reviews and monitors the Country Offices financial policies, systems and procedures and initiates development or correction as required.
• Closely monitors Banking and Governmental policies and regulations in country and provides advice on payment and related tax issues.
• Liaises with the Program Team to ensure that project expenditures are in line with the award/contract budgets and the organization’s internal policies and procedures.
• Reviews and approves the Country Office financial statements, staff payroll, financial reports, adjusting journal entries, cash receipts in collaboration with Senior Finance Manager and Finance Officer.
• Provides information, guidance, addresses issues, and ensures there is an understanding of Country Office finance requirements and standards along with contractual requirements from different donors.
• Audits the accounting practices of the Country Office finance staff through the authorization of various documents and financial instruments, and takes corrective action as necessary.
• Provides on-going and adequate finance and compliance training to the finance staff.
• Directly supervises the Finance and operations staff, and provides general team leadership for the Finance and HR department.
• Supervises the payroll management of the team.

Human Resources

• Responsible for the compliance to social and legal regulations of Sri Lanka.
• Overall responsibility for the operational management of human resources and timely recruitment, competitive remuneration, and development and implementation of the human resource strategy in collaboration with Sri Lanka-DC and HR-DC.
• Ensures that internal records and regulations/policies are up to date and comply with local legislation, organization and donor policies.
• Ensures that onboarding procedures, as well as exit procedures, are streamlined and well executed and in compliance with laws and regulations.
• Plans and implements staff capacity building and development.

Operations and Compliance

• Supervises Logistics and Security
• Supervision of the operational support to programs (procurement, transportation, equipment, office premises, information systems)
• In charge of the update and the compliance to security and health measures for the country office.
• Responsible for compliance with donors’ rules on procurement and the organization’s own procurement policies and procedures.
• Liaises with the NDI home office in relation to all operations and compliance matters.

Grants Management

• Assist the program team in soliciting proposals, developing evaluation criteria, and selection processes.
• Support grant applicants to finalize budgets.
• Prepare grant agreements and present finalized contracts to Country Director for signature.
• Oversee operational aspects of grant implementation including reporting.

General administration

• Stay up to date with requirements from all administrative bodies in charge of regulations applicable to the country office.
• In charge of administrative and financial relations with the different donors funding the country
• office programs.
• Responsible for the dissemination of donors’ rules and regulation to the to the staff in charge of implementing projects.
• Supervision and review of the implementation of administrative and financial procedures of NDI
• Contribution to the development of internal control.
• Focal point for internal and external audits.
• Responsible for the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Ensure that the principles of gender equality, diversity, transparency, and accountability and NDI values are implemented in the office in close collaboration with the Country Director.
• Provide and contribute to policy setting, guidelines and decision making for the Country Office working in close collaboration with the Country Director and other senior staff.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Management or equivalent
• ACA and/or ICMA qualified
• MBA degree an advantage

SKILLS AND PAST EXPERIENCE

• Experience of minimum 10 years in a similar position, previous experience with USAID or a USAID funded project a distinct advantage 
• Knowledge of popular accounting software 
• Advanced IT Skills
• Proven experience in working in a team environment and leading complex finance and operations teams
• Exposure to governance programs and governance issues
• Ability to remain highly organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Ability to handle sensitive issues and willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality.
• Creative problem-solver with proven ability to adapt and deliver under pressure.

LANGUAGES

• High degree of fluency in English with excellent writing skills
• Excellent skills in Sinhala and/or Tamil language. Knowledge of both languages an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and cover letter to [email protected].

Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly. 

Comments

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Sri Lanka. NDI does not provide sponsorship. 

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees.  NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or a medical condition.