SENIOR MANAGER OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS - Just Associates (JASS)

Type: Permanent – Full-time

Location: Washington, DC

Deadline for application submission: January 26, 2009

Start date: March 2009, or sooner if possible

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience

JASS (Just Associates), a fast-growing global organization dedicated to strengthening the voice, visibility and collective organizing power of women, is looking for an experienced Senior Manager of Finance & Operations (SMF&O) with at least 10 years of experience, including at least 4 years working with an international organization with multiple offices and partners. This is a great opportunity for a motivated professional who is interested in taking on a leadership role with a growing and innovative organization where interpersonal relationships and common vision are as important as financial systems and management.

Since 2006, JASS women’s movement-building efforts – combining leadership development, advocacy, organizing, communications and knowledge-generation – have set in motion regional programs and alliances that are carried out through minimal, flexible structures and a tightly knit network of activists operating in different parts of the world. Our office environment is informal yet fast-paced because of the global and dynamic nature of our work.

The SMF&O will have responsibility over all of the accounting and finance functions of an organization comprised of 5 full-time staff based in our cross-regional office in Washington, DC, 9 full-time and part-time staff members based in regional offices in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Mesoamerica, and an annual budget of $1 million (and growing!). In addition to the ongoing accounting and finance functions, the OFM will take the lead role in evolving our financial policies and processes, including financial planning, fundraising and day-to-day process improvement.

The SMF&O will be based in JASS’ Washington, DC office and will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the bookkeeper and part-time accountant as well as with JASS’ global and regional staff.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial

* Leader, manage and oversee all fiscal activities including general accounting, auditing, cost accounting, budgetary controls, financial analysis and forecast, budget plans, sub-grants, moving of money, cash flow monitoring, and all necessary fiscal grant close-out activities including final reports and financial statements.
* Manage and design financial planning, policies & controls, and budgeting processes.
* Take direct responsibility for the accurate compilation of grant-specific financial statements, working closely with the ED to ensure compliance and transparency of grant activity and to oversee financial performance of our regional offices and collaborating partners. Also, responsibility for drafting related sub-grant agreements with partners and monitoring regional offices’ and partners’ fiscal performance and reporting compliance.
* Manage the financial aspect of relationships with collaborating partners including the preparing and submission of grant draw-down requests and other financial reports as required.
* Routinely compare budget projections with actual program spending in order to identify potential areas of concern and recommend necessary budget modifications based on project development.
* Provide analysis and risk management around contracts and other financial instruments.
* Support and coach staff (including those based in our regional offices) on financial decision-making, record-keeping and bookkeeping functions.

Operational and Administrative

* Support JASS’ organizational development by creating and managing operating systems, policies and procedures that improve organizational effectiveness.
* Serve as JASS’ human resources specialist, with responsibility for establishing and implementing appropriate policies, recruiting and hiring, drafting and managing consultant contracts, administering payroll, overseeing employee benefits, maintaining personnel files.
* Develop and manage efficient information systems, including JASS database.
* Oversee office and facilities management, including coordinating equipment purchases, maintenance and tracking, accounts management and coordination with co-tenants/landlord.
* Ensure smooth administrative operations including the supervision of administrative staff, and coordination of volunteers.
* Provide general administrative support as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor’s degree required and Master’s degree preferred, in accounting, finance, or business administration or other related field.
* 10+ years’ financial management experience including grant monitoring and reporting experience and at least 4 years with an international organization with multiple partners and locations.
* Ability to prepare, audit, and monitor closely grant budgets.
* Ability to interpret program fiscal activity and systems for staff, board and partners, (both those who are and those who are not financially inclined). .
* Experienced and demonstrated ability to learn quickly:
- Management and understanding of broad organizational accounting and financial functions;
- Advanced bookkeeping;
- QuickBooks or equivalent accounting software.

* Strong communications skills, both verbally and in writing across-cultures with regionally based staff and consultants.
* Accuracy, thoroughness and attention to detail and follow-up.
* Self-direction – effective in driving own work and priorities without direct, close management. Propensity to seek out and capture opportunities for improvements and change with minimal direction.
* Ability to problem-solve and respond to changing deadlines and priorities.
* Analytical and decision-making skills – an ability to identify and frame situations; and take decisions with minimal oversight.
* Spanish and/or other language proficiency preferred.
* Commitment to social justice and experience with, or knowledge of, women’s rights.
* A sense of humor!

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume via email, fax, or mail (email is preferred) to:

Carrie Wilson
Cross-regional Program Coordinator
Just Associates (JASS)
2040 S St NW
Third Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Email: [email][email protected]
Fax: (202) 232-4715

No phone calls please.

JASS is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants with diverse backgrounds and members of the queer/transgender community are strongly encouraged to apply.