Chief Financial Officer

Overview

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has broad management responsibilities for overseeing all Global Communities financial activities. The CFO reports to and works closely with the President and CEO and is responsible for maintaining the financial health and supporting the strategic future of the organization, including the annual budget and financial planning process. The CFO provides executive leadership while maintaining the integrity of accounting procedures, records and internal controls, audits, and financial reporting and analysis to help the Executive Team develop and implement strategies to advance the organization’s mission. The CFO provides direct leadership to the grants & contracts, internal audit, controller, financial planning & analysis, international finance, and facilities functions.

Global Communities has grown in the last few years in terms of its size and complexity. It has also laid out its 2030 strategy with clear goals. The CFO’s role is critical in working as a business partner with other departments and helping achieve these goals by aligning the finance function with the organization’s long-term goals.

Responsibilities

Financial Accounting, Compliance, and Internal controls

• Oversee global financial operations of the organization, including financial planning, donations, budgeting, audits, forecasting, reporting, payroll, controller, and key performance matrices per best practice.
• Oversee all financial aspects of contractual, legal, tax, and regulatory obligations of Global Communities. Provide oversight in partnership with the People and Culture department for Global Communities employee retirement 401K plan.
• Coordinate with all department leads to ensure resources are strategically allocated and effectively utilized and that Global Communities meets its annual financial goals and that unrestricted, direct, and indirect targets are met.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Team and other senior managers, counseling them on financial matters and the development of policy relating to improving the financial management and performance of the organization. Prepare regular reports, and presentations to facilitate Executive Team decision-making and take leadership in the development and maintenance of the Finance portion of the Executive Team Management Dashboard.
• Oversee the audit process, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations, maintaining relations with external auditors, and investigating their findings and recommendations.
• Assess financial risks and implement strategies to mitigate potential issues and develop and implement internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure financial accuracy.
• Evaluate the company’s insurance needs and obtain appropriate policies to protect against potential risks. Review coverage regularly and adjust as the business evolves. Manage claims and work closely with insurance providers to ensure timely and adequate payouts.
• Manage Global Communities real estate activities, consisting of leases with various landlords.
• Serve as Executive sponsor of the Organization-wide ERP implementation project.
• Assess and coordinate domestic and international tax, 990, and audit requirements and support for nonprofit and investment/for-profit operations.
• Oversee management of accounting and finance staff around the globe.
• Provide regular quarterly reports to the Board Finance Committee and the full Board of Trustees and work closely with the Finance and Audit and Risk Committees to identify emerging trends affecting our organization’s business model and plans to address potential financial risks to the organization.

Strategic Financial Management

• Oversee cash, investment, and asset management. Determine cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed and financing strategies to help diversify sources of unrestricted funds.
• Develop and use predictive models, forecasting, and financial analyses to inform planning and operational decision-making. This includes managing the annual budget process and linking budgets with programmatic goals.
• Establish controls and processes to protect the company’s financial information and assets.
• Monitor our approved NICRA and work with others to consider alternative NICRA structures.
• Support Global Communities efforts to identify new business models and ensure optimal financial performance of Global Communities’ subsidiaries
• Evaluate and maintain cash management and investment performance ensuring adequate operating funds are available while maintaining acceptable levels of reserves.

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

• Reporting to the CEO and collaborating with the Executive Team and other senior managers, set short and long-term financial objectives and adapt as needed to changes in the broader sector, such as localization, decentralization, emerging business models and changes to the USG regulatory environment
• Ensure that the finance team is continually developing business processes, practices, and procedures to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy of financial practices.
• Manage Global Communities relationships with financial partners, including regulatory agencies, auditors, donors, banks, public officials and others.
• Provide analysis of complex situations, prepare formal presentations, and present to the Executive Team, staff, and the Board of Directors on the organization’s financial health.
• Demonstrate innovative financial leadership by spearheading the exploration and implementation of new business models to drive revenue growth and profitability, ensuring that the organization remains competitive in a rapidly changing market environment.
• Strengthen cost management by developing and refining cost structures to enhance operational efficiency and financial stability. Lead cost reduction initiatives by analyzing current expenses, leveraging technology, and adopting innovative approaches to business operations.
• Support strategic financial planning by collaborating with executive leadership to integrate cutting-edge financial strategies and business models into the organization’s long-term strategic plans. Ensure financial plans are robust, adaptable, and aligned with evolving market demands.
• Lead market analysis and adaptation by regularly analyze market trends and competitive dynamics to anticipate financial implications and advise on necessary adjustments in business strategies and operations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience working with complex accounting and finance systems, including financial reporting, budgeting, and audits.
• Highly knowledgeable and experienced with federal regulations and compliance, specifically USAID Rules and Regulations, including 2CFR200. Strong understanding and experience with financial accounting and management of the requirements of other US Government institutions, including USDA, HHS, DFC and others; major foundations; private investors; and a variety of other donors.
• Possess a robust comprehension of microfinance, including microfinance tools and innovations within the sector, as well as a thorough understanding of subsidiaries and their financial implications.
• Demonstrated ability to work with ambiguous and incomplete data sets and information, using analytical tools and judgement to create forecasts and projections to balance risks and opportunities.
• Interest in promoting a holistic approach to managing risk, contributing to an enterprise risk management (ERM) discipline to Global Communities
• Ability to work as a member of the Executive Team, committed to guiding organizational decision-making.
• Strong understanding of the complex and rapidly changing development and humanitarian landscape and an ability to guide the organization through strategic decision-making to navigate its complexities.
• Effective communication and analytical skills with an aptitude for clarity, accuracy, and details.
• Effective English listening, speaking and presentation skills; ability to comfortably present complex material using various media to the Executive Team, Global Communities staff, our Board of Directors and individuals and organizations outside the organization.
• Ability to anticipate and/or resolve conflicting priorities raised when financial and human resources are limited and must be allocated.
• Interest and ability to travel to countries where Global Communities is active and ability to lead capacity-building efforts in our country programs.
• Commitment to inclusive leadership and an ability to model Global Communities values and Community Commitments.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort interfacing with leaders in all parts of the world.
• Proficiency with MS Office, particularly Excel.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and a minimum of 15 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience working for a nonprofit international NGO; Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience as a CFO, Controller or Deputy CFO required.
• Achievement of sufficient seniority (and have the personal presence/gravitas) to have been a data-driven decision-maker, and a key strategic business partner in influencing senior management on financial and operational issues.
• Innovative and driven to create optimal structures to address the future opportunities and challenges that are inherent in a complex, geographically, and functionally diverse organization.
• An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information in a timely manner.
• Outstanding business acumen, balancing financial strategy with day-to-day fiscal excellence.
• Strong relationship skills and versatility to interact effectively with employees, senior management, and oversight bodies, including the Board.
• Excellent leadership skills, confident in working collaboratively with diverse groups of people in a multi-country environment.
• Personal qualities of integrity, analytical questioning, creative problem-solving and striving for continuous improvement.
• Coach with strong management skills that bring out the strengths of others.
• Alignment with an embodiment of GC values.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.