Search for Common Ground
In a world often divided, Search for Common Ground stands for the power of bringing diverse people together to find solutions. By meeting this moment with Search, you join a powerful global peace movement that believes in the profound impact of courageous multipartiality - that all voices should be heard and respected in shaping a better, more connected world and collaborative vision is essential for lasting peace.
Search for Common Ground takes a dynamic approach by building solutions that are based on the needs of communities. We engage with leaders and elected officials to advance dialogue and collaboration. We are community leaders. We are youth activists. We are women. We are Peacebuilders. We have been doing this work for over 40 years, we have developed our understanding of what peace looks like, being able to quantify our impact and design more effective programming. Peace moves at the speed of trust, so we invest for the long haul. When we’re no longer needed, we leave, leaving behind people and institutions with the ability to manage future conflicts.
Department Summary
The Search for Common Ground Finance Team seeks to achieve excellence in financial management by providing accurate and timely financial information to Search management and programs and by adhering to established financial practices and accounting principles.
Team Summary
This position is part of Search’s team in Guatemala, our newest program. The Guatemala team works under the umbrella of a USAID-funded, one-team approach project, reporting to the Chief of Party of the project. Search’s Regional Director, Latin America, has oversight to ensure that our Guatemala team delivers on our contribution in a timely, quality manner. The Guatemala team is focused on project implementation, including planning, execution, and reporting. They work with Search’s regional and global structure for technical expertise and implementation
General Responsibilities
- Ensure that country set up adhere to Search’s policies, donor and auditor requirements
- Implement Search’s financial systems, routines and procedures
- Maintain overall budget control and monitor cash flow
- Management of Finance team
- Training of Managers and staff with financial responsibilities
- Provide regular analysis and reports
Specific Responsibilities
- Ensure that daily bookkeeping is performed, utilizing Search’s finance system (Intacct)
- Ensure month-end and year-end accounting closing is done on time and following Search’s financial procedures
- Responsible to ensure adequate filing system for all financial documents
- Ensure timely payments: payroll for local staff, social security, income tax, consultants and vendors; in accordance with Search’s financial procedures and policies
- Monitor project cash flow
- Maintain the Operating Budget regularly to ensure the country project needs align with donor funding
- Responsible to coordinate with program units to develop costed work plans and revenue projections on a quarterly basis
- Prepare BvA reports (in donor currency) and participate in monthly review meetings
- Prepare donor financial reports
- Prepare and provide a monthly financial overview report to CO management
- Develop, review and update finance SOPs for the country program in coordination with HQ Finance
- Ensure electronic archiving of supporting documents is done in a timely manner
- Conduct finance checks and validation of expenditures
- Conduct training on financial procedures and donor regulations to Search’s finance and non-finance staff on the project
- Responsible for carrying out financial pre-award capacity assessments of potential partners for sub-awards
- Contribute to development of sub-contract budgets and agreements in coordination with the program units
- Conduct partners’ staff finance related training/orientation
- Ensure timely payments to partners and review of partners financial reporting (including supporting documentation)
- Responsible to ensure sub-grants compliance - ensure that all financial procedures, including cash management, procurement, advance settlement, salary distribution, etc. are compliant with Search and donors’ policies and procedures
- Other duties that are broadly in line
Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
- Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
- Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
- Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
- Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
- Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
- Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
- Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
- Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
- Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
- Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
- Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
- Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.
- Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.
Type and Nature of Contacts
- Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
- Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
- Interacts with the country office and regional staff.
Required Skills
- University level in economics, accounting, finance, business or a related field
- At least nine (9) years of experience in management, finance and administration, preferably within an international NGO.
- Experience with USAID Contracts is an advantage
- Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required
Education and Experience
Typically BS/BA with minimum 9 years’ experience.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel domestically at least 20%.
Supervisory and Budget Responsibility
May supervise one or more staff members.
