ThaiNGO

Director, Finance and Operations

Mekong Region

Employment Status: Regular, Full time

Reports to: Deputy Director, Mekong Sustainable Manufacturing

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is seeking an experienced Finance and Operations Director to lead ISC’s financial management and administration functions for a recently awarded USAID-funded sustainable manufacturing program. Aiming to strengthen the lower Mekong region as a competitive and environmentally sustainable manufacturing hub, the program features private-sector engagement to drive the adoption of improved environmental and social safeguards by factories in various sectors, including the food processing, electronics and textiles sectors. The program will focus primarily on Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam initially, with both country-specific and region-wide activities.

Based in Bangkok, the Finance and Operations Director will oversee all financial reporting, human resources management, and office administration. The Director will manage the day-to-day operations of ISC offices and/or activities currently in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam in coordination with the Deputy Director and headquarters’ (HQ) staff and management. The Finance and Operations Director is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of high quality and efficient financial management systems that ensure financial compliance and accountability, minimize financial risk and facilitate financial planning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Multi-country operations mobilization

• Support registration requirements for operating in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Identify consultants and work closely with them to complete the application process(es) and other compliance related requirements.

• Oversee the startup and provide ongoing support for local office locations, including accounting and control systems, new business compliances, lease negotiations (and renewals), renovations, asset procurement, insurance, and infrastructure support (utilities, IT, etc).

Financial management and grant oversight

• Ensure that all ISC field office finance, accounting, and procurement policies and reports conform to donor and ISC guidelines. Review all policies and procedures annually and submit recommendations on revisions to ISC HQ as needed.

• Ensure that all financial and procurement procedures are implemented by local staff.

• Provide regular training to office staff on ISC financial, procurement, operating policies and procedures.

• Supervise daily accounting operations and transactions in financial software, monitoring all expenditures and ensuring that all transactions are in compliance with ISC and donor requirements.

• Manage ISC office cash flow according to ISC policy.

• Manage payroll and benefits administration and corresponding service providers.

• Oversee the production of all internal ISC financial management reports (balance sheet, bank and cash reconciliation, expenditure, etc.) including regular monthly reports submitted to ISC HQ according to set deadlines.

• Support ISC HQ with the production of all donor financial reports.

• Using Adaptive Insights budgeting software, develop a timely, accurate and complete annual operating budget and provide updated monthly reforecast, maintain and monitor a schedule of budget vs. actual expenditures at the donor/grant level.

• Ensure proper authorization from ISC HQ for opening new bank accounts or updating signature authorities on existing accounts.

• Oversee the financial aspects of sub-awards including; the selection process, the completion of subaward agreements, the training and mentoring of sub-awardees on financial requirements and reporting (including budgets, payments, and compliance) and approval corresponding financial reports.

• Manage local audits and follow up on all audit comments and recommendations.

• Provide support for ISC HQ annual audits or donor requested audits/reviews.

Internal Communications

• Communicate regularly with ISC HQ to expedite cash transfers, to submit financial reports, and to address financial questions or problems in a timely manner.

• Meet regularly with the program team and international staff to review grant expenditures and plan future expenditures.

• Contribute to, review, and finalize financial reports and program budget.

• As requested, represent ISC to university officials, government officials, funding prospects, partners, beneficiaries, and at conferences and other outreach opportunities.

• Communicate program activities, challenges and accomplishments to the Deputy Director.

• Work collaboratively with other team members and international colleagues on meeting the organizational goals.

Administrative/Human Resources

• Oversee the hiring of new staff and ensure that hiring of all staff is in compliance with local employment laws and ISC policy. Ensure that the hiring process is objective and transparent.

• Work closely with the Vice President of Human Resources (ISC HQ) to establish a clearly documented, transparent staff hiring system (standard job descriptions, standardized interview process, documented hiring criteria, etc.)

• Develop a local staff human resources policy manual in compliance with local employment law and ISC policy.

• Work with ISC HQ Finance and Operations staff to adapt, as needed, the ISC Field Office Financial Policies and Procedures to ensure compliance with local laws, as applicable.

• Supervise ISC office payroll calculations and related payments, tax and social contribution reports to local authorities and the preparation of any additional payroll related reports required by local labor laws.

• Supervise ISC office vendor contracts.

• Promote professional working relationships and resolve staff conflicts and concerns in a timely manner.

• Ensure that all local staff policies, contracts, and disciplinary documents conform to local labor laws and update annually.

• Maintain all local office legal compliance, registration, and taxation requirements.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Master's degree or CPA equivalent preferred.

• Five years of managerial experience in the financial area of an international non-profit organization; preferably one which involved frequent interactions with global teams

• Experience and comfort with a reporting structure that would involve a local manager as well as HQ finance counterparts/manager

• Experience working in Southeast Asia, including familiarity with local labor laws, preferably in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia

• Strong program management experience; budgeting, tracking and managing the finances of multiple development programs

• Familiarity in interacting and experience in managing relationships with finance partners (private and public), including financial reporting mechanisms and requirements of these partners (foundations, development agencies, corporates)

• Past experience with support and management of local office registration strategies and implementation in Southeast Asia.

• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs

• Willingness to perform all levels of financial and operational functions.

• Fluency in spoken and written English required

• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills and ability to work well with a diverse team

• Commitment to the ISC mission and goals

TO APPLY:

This is a full-time position, with anticipated start date on July 1, 2022. Candidates should apply by sending a resume/CV and cover letter to  msma@sustain.org no later than June 15, 2022.

ISC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace.

People from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, women,

LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Contact : msma@sustain.org