Job Title: Finance and Administration Director
Organization: Action Against Hunger Canada / Action contre la Faim Canada
Report To: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Start Date: January 2025
Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week. *(Flexibility is required to work outside regular office hours if needed.)
Salary: CAD 110K – 120K
ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
Founded in 1979, Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. Our mission is to save the lives of severely malnourished children while helping communities become self-sufficient. Recognized as a world leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger has pursued its vision of a world without hunger for almost four decades, combating hunger in emergency situations of conflict, natural disasters, and chronic food insecurity. With more than 8,000 staff in nearly 50 countries, our programs in nutrition, food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, reach more than 20 million people each year.
ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER CANADA
With an annual Budget of $46million and a staff strength of nearly 40 people, Action Against Hunger Canada (est. in 2006) works tirelessly in the fight against hunger globally through our specialized nutrition technical programs that build the knowledge and skills of nutrition and public health professionals worldwide for the detection, treatment and prevention of malnutrition. We are a leading recipient of funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and advocate for changes to policy and practice in support of better nutrition and increased food security. Our collaborative programmatic model brings together communities, civil society, government, and the international assistance community to work jointly on fundamental public health issues that contribute to hunger in this world.
Our leading-edge programs have been built on the foundations of technical excellence, rigour and innovative practice over many years. We are experts in nutrition information systems, emergency nutrition and gender equality. Action Against Hunger Canada plays a hosting role to two significant global programs (SMART and the Global Nutrition Cluster Operations Team Programme Support) that provide guidance, tools and training in the areas of nutrition data collection and analysis and best practices for emergency nutrition service delivery for hundreds of Governments, civil society organizations and international organizations worldwide. Our programs support the capacity of public health professionals who deliver lifesaving and long-term initiatives in communities globally. We also work towards sustainable transformative health system strengthening in all our efforts to ensure a long-lasting impact together with our partners, including members of the Humanitarian Coalition. As a member of the Action Against Hunger International Network, we also provide a range of technical support for the mainstreaming of gender equality across our programs and operations worldwide. Our commitments towards a gender transformative approach are integrated into our core health programming and our technical support to our International Network.
To learn more about Action Against Hunger, visit our website at www.actionagainsthunger.ca
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Finance and Administration Director is responsible for providing strategic financial guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership of the organization to support its sustainable financial growth. The role provides expert advice to internal stakeholders on the financial management of the portfolio of donor grants and unrestricted funding secured by the organization for humanitarian and development programming and for the delivery of technical services.
The Finance and Administration Director is responsible for all aspects of the financial management of the organization and represents Action Against Hunger Canada on relevant platforms of its International Network.
The role oversees a team of four consisting of Finance and Donor Compliance Managers, a Financial Analysis and Reporting Manager, and an Accountant.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management
- Develop and implement financial strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure sound financial management.
- Prepare and manage the organization's annual budget, forecast revenue and expenses, and monitor variances.
- Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision-making by the Senior Leadership Team.
- Monitor and manage the cash flow, working capital, and investment activities.
- Oversee accounting processes, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and general ledger management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, financial regulations and reporting requirements.
- Coordinate and manage the preparation of all supporting information for the annual audit and programme audits, including liaising with the Board of Directors Audit Committee and external auditors and preparing timely annual charitable returns to the CRA.
- Manage the acquisition of capital assets and ensure that assets are properly recorded, amortized, and disposed of as appropriate.
- Provide guidance and oversee the preparation of monthly reports for all programmes, assist managers and directors with their tracking of actual results against budgets for the successful navigation of financial and compliance requirements under grant and contribution agreements with Global Affairs Canada, USAID, SIDA, and other donors.
- Oversee accurate and timely financial reporting for all projects and maintain financial records for each project in a manner that facilitates management reports, including monthly tracking and analysis of program expenses, tracking of due dates for preparation of financial reports per contractual obligations, and preparation of timely financial statements in accordance with donor contract agreements.
- Oversee, maintain and periodically revise the financial standard operating procedures, information management systems, and information technology strategies of the organization to ensure maximum efficiency and security.
- Perform regular evaluation of the need for new technology to meet financial data processing, control, and reporting requirements.
- Ensure the seamless operation, maintenance, and optimization of the Enterprise Resource Planning system to support the organization's efficient business processes.
- Lead responsibility for managing day-to-day matters with Canadian and international banks, on all financial transactions with donors and the Action Against Hunger International Network.
- Provide oversight to negotiations with service providers and suppliers to ensure organization-wide adherence to procurement policies and standards.
Strategic Planning
- Contribute to the development of the organization's strategic plan by providing financial and operational insights.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and revenue generation to support the organization's growth objectives.
- Participate in long-term financial planning and scenario analysis.
- Support collaborative financial and strategic leadership as required by the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Executive Officer, the International Management Group of Finance Directors of the International Network, and the Board of Directors, including attending planning sessions, team meetings and annual performance reviews as required.
- Ensure the internal control environment of the organization meets the needs of the organization, its risk profile and donor needs, as well as alignment with the Action Against Hunger’s International Network.
- Maintain appropriate controls, checks and balances to safeguard assets, and processes to identify and mitigate financial risks.
- Keep up to date with financial developments within the humanitarian and international development sector as part of an ongoing process of professional development and learning.
- Monitor all legislation relevant to the organization (employment standards, human rights, etc.) and all regulations on professional certification to ensure organizational compliance.
Communications and Reporting
- Prepare and present regular financial reports to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Directors.
- Communicate financial results, analysis, and recommendations to non-financial stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner.
- Collaborate with other departments to provide financial insights and support for various projects and initiatives.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and mentor the finance and administration team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide ongoing feedback and coaching.
- Identify training and development opportunities to enhance team skills and capabilities.
Operations and Administration
- Manage the day-to-day administrative operations, including facilities, office management, and IT services.
- Develop and implement administrative policies and procedures to improve the operational efficiency of the organization.
- Oversee procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation processes within the organization to ensure full compliance with the applicable policies, principles, standards and procedures, and to achieve cost-effective purchasing.
- Provide guidance and advice to the organization on procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation matters in line with the organizational procurement policies, principles, standards, processes and procedures. Manage risk and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and organizational policies.
- Implement and maintain systems for record-keeping, document management, and data security.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- A master’s degree in a relevant field related to finance and accounting and/or equivalent experience gained.
- A minimum of four years of experience in a similar position with an international not-for-profit organization.
- Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or equivalent designation.
- Demonstrated experience with MS Office applications with an extensive understanding of MS Excel.
- Experience in the financial management of institutionally funded project grants (especially GAC, OFDA/USAID, ECHO, and SIDA).
- Fluency in written and oral English (fluency in French will be considered an asset).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES
- Knowledge of CRA Acts and Regulations regarding charitable organizations.
- Fluency in an Enterprise Resource Planning system or other financial and accounting software.
- Effective communication and teamworking skills.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to initiate and follow up on recommendations for improvements that result in financial efficiency and improved performance.
- Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and gender-based violence risk mitigation/protection.
- Demonstrated understanding of the creation of an enabling environment for gender equality and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in the workplace and in programming.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Office setting or work from home.
- Required to be seated whilst completing computer and desk-based tasks for long periods.
- Occasional domestic and international travel.
- Occasional evening and weekend time and extra time demands during audits, at year-end, or during a humanitarian emergency, when the hours are not predictable.
At Action Against Hunger Canada, we are dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals from BIPOC communities, LGBTQ2S+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity-deserving groups. If you are invited to proceed with the selection process, please inform our human resources representative of any accommodation or special measures you may require.
Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to promoting the well-being of people around the world and focuses its efforts on saving lives through the elimination of hunger. To that end, we uphold the principles of Independence, Neutrality, Non-discrimination, Unrestricted Access to Humanitarian Assistance, Professionalism, and Transparency in all our operations. We have ZERO TOLERANCE towards any behaviour violating our Code of Conduct, including workplace violence, harassment, sexual harassment, any form of exploitation or abuse, corruption, fraud, and any behaviour lacking integrity.
Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to safeguarding children and adults in the communities where we work. Our safeguarding commitment is to ensure that children and adults are protected from both deliberate and unintentional harm or abuse caused by Action Against Hunger Canada staff, including the Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
In an effort to safeguard children and adults in communities that we work with, our offers of employment and volunteering are conditional on successfully clearing background checks that may include, but are not limited to, criminal record, vulnerable sector, and employment reference checks. Additionally, Action Against Hunger Canada participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. As part of this scheme, we will request information from your previous employers regarding any findings of sexual exploitation, abuse, and/or harassment during your tenure, as well as any ongoing investigations at the time of your departure. By submitting an application, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of these background checks and provide your consent for the collection and disclosure of your personal information for the purpose of these background checks.
If you are interested in this position, please apply by December 3, 2024.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Benefits
- Vacation: 1-2 years: 3 weeks, 2-4 years: 4 weeks, 5+ years: 5 weeks.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (after 3 months of employment).
- Retirement Savings Plan (after 1 year of employment).
- 13 paid holidays per year.
- Paid time off (Personal and Sick Days).
