Chief Financial Officer - Arlington, United States - International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Description

About International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for all. Our technical assistance and applied research develop trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing to mature democracies. In accordance with IFES' approach: A society is able to reach its full potential in a world in which people of all genders are fully engaged as equal partners in their families, workplaces and communities. Based on international human rights standards and best practices, IFES promotes political participation, justice and equal rights around the world. IFES reflects these values in its programming and workplace culture.

The greatest assets of IFES are our team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO/President) and serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the CFO is based in Arlington, Virginia, and is responsible for IFES' financial assets and leading the financial strategy, management, accounting, compliance, budgeting/forecasting, audit oversight, and IT functions of the organization. They will provide strategic vision and leadership that consistently ensures financial integrity, the implementation of effective financial systems and processes that drive exceptional decision support, and robust internal controls that ensure consistent compliance with donor regulations. The CFO serves as a member of IFES' Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, Budget & Finance Committee, and Audit & Compliance Committee.

The CFO serves as a strategic financial leader with responsibility for broad oversight and protection of organizational assets and all domestic and foreign funding relationships. They serve as a strategic business partner to the ELT and Senior Leadership teams (SLT) to collaboratively develop and implement organizational systems, processes, and structures that effectively support IFES's evolving strategic plan and growth strategy.

The CFO supports the CEO in assessing and identifying operational strategies, performance metrics, and financial challenges and opportunities to meet the ongoing demands of a multi-donor (USG and non-USG) infrastructure with multiple indirect cost recovery rates (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement [NICRA] as well as non-USG rates). This solutions-focused individual will also assure the financial viability of the organization through initiative-taking analysis and sound administration of policies and procedures.

The CFO leads a highly functioning Finance Team of approximately thirty professional staff located at HQ, with additional Finance staff working in country offices around the world. The team oversees the financial operations of the organization. The following department unit leads report directly to the position:

• Director, Accounting and Payroll Operations
• Director, Financial Planning & Decision Support
• Director, Contracts & Grants
• Director, Information Technology
• Senior Manager, Audit & Compliance
• Senior Manager, Program Finance

The CFO will be an experienced, dynamic leader of financial operations, technology strategy, and exceptional financial services delivery for a complex international organization. They will be a thought leader and trusted partner to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and all IFES staff. The CFO will consistently work towards improving operational efficiencies and engaging appropriate technology solutions and process improvements aligned to organizational resources and capacities. They will strengthen IFES' core fiscal management reporting and other operational systems, processes, and tools by leveraging automation/modernization to provide timely decision support for IFES' project managers and leadership. The CFO will advance timely business analysis, reporting, forecasting, modeling, cash management, and other core products and services that consistently support data-driven decisions for IFES' delivery of high-impact programming. The CFO plays a key role in ensuring that IFES maintains a culture and infrastructure of compliance that consistently meets all donor rules and regulations, particularly related to fiscal management and procurement. The CFO ensures the completion of department tasks in a timely manner and within budget allocations.

The CFO will employ enterprise leadership skills in the diplomatic management of collaborative working relationships with staff across the organization, the Board of Directors, external auditors, donors, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure sound financial management and timely and effective support to IFES projects.

The CFO and their team will also work collaboratively on behalf of IFES with the CFOs and other staff of two joint venture partner organizations the International Republican Institute [IRI] and the National Democratic Institute [NDI]). Work will focus on the financial, compliance, and budget management functions of the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), a multi-year Leader With Associate (LWA) award funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead financial strategy, analysis, and forecasting processes, including coordinating periodic financial forecasts, and directing IFES' annual budgeting and planning processes. Engage stakeholders to ensure that all forecast and budget processes are optimally structured and resource allocations are aligned to strategic priorities.
• Serving as a member of the ELT, support organizational leadership and advance strategic fiscal decisions related to project profitability, cost structure and recovery, overall financial & compliance performance, and alternative funding and costing mechanisms.
• Oversee all accounting, fiscal management, and treasury management functions of the organization. This includes ensuring the implementation of optimal systems, processes, internal controls, and staff capacity to consistently deliver exceptional support and information related to these functions.
• Direct the development of accounting and overall fiscal management policies and procedures that consistently drive business efficiencies, modernization, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and donor regulations.
• Ensure the delivery of timely and accurate reporting of financial results and analysis to project teams, the ELT, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders. Lead the optimization and expansion of report generation utilizing Cognos Business Intelligence and Power BI reporting platforms.
• Collaborate with the Global Controller and Finance team, work to ensure the consistent integrity of IFES' global financial data, and meet all statutory reporting requirements and performance reporting to the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources to ensure the organization complies with all relevant employment related tax and payroll laws and regulations, and develop and administer compensation policy, as needed.
• Serve as a fiduciary to the organization's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Collaborate with the Global Controller, oversees IFES' annual audit process, IRS Form 990 filing, and other tax reporting.
• Direct Project Audit and Compliance functions in the execution of project-specific audits and financial reviews required by donors, including the completion of corrective action plans to address findings or internal control deficiencies.
• Provide tactical guidance regarding budgetary controls, compliance requirements, contract pricing, cost estimates, financing decisions, and other operational matters. Ensure compliance with USG and other donors' requirements. Evaluate IFES' financial structure, systems, and processes to identify opportunities for cost savings, business process improvements, and the strengthening of internal controls. Develop and implement appropriate improvements in close collaboration with Program and Finance teams.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors, including presentation of periodic audit reports to the Audit & Compliance Committee and periodic financial results and the proposed annual organizational budget to the Finance and Budget Committee.
• Identify risk factors, the likelihood of occurrence, and the potential impact of fiscal management risks in line with IFES' Enterprise Risk Management processes. Provide mitigation action plans to sufficiently address identified risks. Build and nurture a high performing team that delivers exceptional financial, accounting, compliance, and administrative services and products to a globally dispersed workforce.
• In collaboration with the IT Director, assess and enhance IFES' Global IT services improvement strategy and cybersecurity response plan to deliver required information management services throughout the organization while reducing the risk of data loss or cyber intrusion.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Professional Experience and Knowledge:

• At least 15 years of senior financial management experience, including 10 years serving as CFO or Vice President of Finance in a complex global enterprise.
• Strong overall knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, audit, tax, strategic planning, internal control structures, risk management, and data analytics within an international non-profit funded by multiple donor sources.
• Knowledge of diverse public and private funding streams and experience with complex revenue structures, including U.S. Government grants and contracts, and non-USG funding, including support from other governments, foundations, corporations, and private donors.
• Exceptional knowledge of USG grants and contracts funding regulations, including direct experience working with U.S. and other government donor funding, contracting & reporting requirements, and compliance and auditing activities. Specific experience working with USAID acquisition and assistance funding mechanisms.
• Astute in negotiating and managing cost allocations and multiple indirect rate structures (e.g., USAID NICRA and other government indirect cost rates).
• Experience with long-range financial planning and budgeting in the context of a diversified donor base.
• Strong technology optimization and leadership skills.
• Change management and organizational development acumen. Project management sponsorship skills.
• Prior experience with Deltek Costpoint and Cognos Business Intelligence is preferred.
• Ability to analyze complex financial matters and present findings/recommendations to persons with varied degrees of financial and compliance knowledge.
• Prior experience with strategic planning, contract pricing and negotiations, and capital management in international development environments.
• Ability to have a broad understanding of IFES's business strategy and project portfolio, and effectively communicate this information with all relevant stakeholders.
• Skilled in developing global Finance teams that are service oriented, model strong teamwork, and are effective at collaborative problem resolution.
• Experience engaging a strong peer network as a resource for emerging best practices, innovation, and funding diversification opportunities.

Personal Skills and Abilities:

• Commitment to advancing the mission and vision of IFES.
• Demonstrates exceptional integrity, ethical actions, and honesty.
• Superb business acumen, with the ability to effectively analyze and assess specific tactical business options while operating at a high strategic level.
• A trusted and effective thought leader and partner with the CEO, ELT, Board, and staff throughout the organization.
• Demonstrates executive presence in leading discussions and coherently explains financial information to all partners (Board, staff, and other stakeholders) across the organization.
• Exceptional communication and enterprise leadership skills, including the ability to develop innovative, empowered, and collaborative teams, drive effective team performance, and lead transformational adoption through strong influencing skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple objectives and tasks in an environment of rapid change while maintaining a methodical, calm, and thoughtful demeanor.
• A high degree of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills. Active listener with strong work ethic, positive attitude, and the ability to creatively tackle "red tape". A flexible mindset and work style. Ability to make timely decisions and work in a challenging environment with tight timelines and constrained resources.
• Commitment to the values and mission of IFES and a genuine interest in international affairs with the specific goal of global democracy building.

EDUCATION: B.A. degree in Business, Accounting, or related field. MBA preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 15 years of senior financial management experience, including 10 years serving as CFO or Vice President of Finance in a complex global enterprise.

TRAVEL EXPECTATION: Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.