Director of Finance Department and Co-Director of the Executive Leadership Team

Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services, Cairo

Vacancy Announcement: Director of Finance Department and Co-Director of the Executive Leadership Team

Founded in 1979, StARS is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life for refugees and vulnerable migrants through five broad program areas: education, psychosocial, legal, community outreach and unaccompanied youth and children support services. We provide high-quality services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a reality.

StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to justice and fairness, StARS works as displaced people and for displaced people to respect human dignity and enhance quality of life.

StARS’ Vision: Displaced people lead in the creation and implementation of responses to different forms of migration to establish safe, just, welcoming, and inclusive communities globally.

We serve people from many places, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

To learn more please visit our website: www.stars-egypt.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts

Role

The Director of Finance Department oversees all aspects of StARS finance, including financial planning and, donor relations, funding, and reporting, leading a team of 15 people. The Director of Finance Department is also responsible for the development and implementation of StARS financial systems, financial program reporting and provide advice to programs on their financial systems. The Director of Finance Department will ensure that appropriate finance systems are maintained, that all procedures and controls are implemented and that all transactions are properly accounted for.

The Director of Finance Department is a central role in the Executive Leadership Team, working within the team of the Directors to oversee the effective management and the daily running of StARS and responsible for general support to its programs and staff.

For the first 6 - 12 months this role will be focused entirely on leading the Finance Department. After 6 - 12 months, dependent on performance, and in consultation with the post holder, a further process will be held to integrate the post holder into the Executive Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

All duties are carried out in collaboration with StARS Directors, as part of the Executive Leadership Team of StARS. The Executive Leadership Team operates a model of peer supervision. An excellent collaborative working relationship with StARS Directors is essential to the success of this role. StARS’ Director of Finance Department performs a wide range of duties including the following:

Financial Management

· Oversees the monthly closing of financial activities and data in Quick books, ensuring the accounting process is completed timely and accurately with full reconciliation to bank and supporting records

· Reviews and manages the monthly General Management Funds with the designated Directors, Deputy Directors of Finance and External Accountant (United Kingdom), ensuring the accurate and complete presentation of budget and expenditure data for all donor projects, and monitoring expenditure to budgets, as well as the full reconciliation against Quick books records.

· Manages and monitors the monthly organizational budget and cash flow status (including reserves) with the Executive Leadership Team Finance Sub-Committee and Deputies of Finance Department.

· Prepares accurate and timely donor financial reports (including the financial narrative summaries, where required), budgets and budget amendments and other financial documents (e.g. expenditure forecasts) as requested by the project leads and the Executive Leadership Team.

· Supports the Director of Development Department in developing reviewing and finalizing the financial section (e.g. budget) of all project proposals

· Maintains the complete set of financial records as per StARS Financial Management Guidelines, ensuring the accurate filing of all financial documentation, which are easily retrievable for internal and external (e.g. audit) reviews.

· Manages and oversees all audits (external audit, internal control assessments and project audits) as well as the implementation and reporting of audit recommendations.

· Implements strong internal controls for the entire Finance Department, in line with the up-to-date Financial Management Guidelines, Staff Handbook and other relevant StARS policies and procedures

· Where relevant, develops and implements new or enhanced financial systems and controls. Ensures the Financial Management Guidelines are periodically reviewed, updated / enhanced, and issued to StARS.

· Provides support to the Executive Leadership Team members and other departments in all financial matters. Ensures departmental directors and deputies are timely informed of the most up-to-date and accurate budgeting and expenditure clearance information (including any overspending and under utilization of budget lines)

· Manages and oversees all StARS Egypt bank accounts (including cash withdrawals and internet banking controls), and the relationship with banks.

Staffing and Human Resources

· Provides supervision, support, and line management to the Finance Department staff.

· Ensures all staff members receive appropriate training (including on-the-job training) and professional development, and provides them with adequate support in achieving qualifications from recognized accounting institutions.

· Ensures necessary staffing is in place for effective implementation of projects, including the timely submission of donor financial reports.

· In consultation with the StARS Executive Leadership Team, recruits, interviews and selects new Finance staff. Ensures the Finance Department is adequately resourced, with staff being placed, trained and developed in the relevant roles.

· Takes an active role in making decisions as a member of the Executive Leadership Team Human Resources Sub-Committee and/or Finance Sub-Committee.

· In close collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, provides vital input in updating and enhancing StARS’ existing Staff Handbook, human resources policies and procedures and other HR documents

· Implements disciplinary measures as appropriate and when needed, and participate in or oversee internal investigations as required.

· Conducts regular performance appraisals with Finance staff, and provides them with appropriate professional support, understanding and guidance.

· Ensures a collaborative, fair and supportive work environment in the Finance Department

Executive Leadership Team Responsibilities

· Works in conjunction with other team members to ensure that day to day running of StARS services

· Meets with the Executive Leadership Team on a weekly basis to provide vital financial updates which would inform key strategic and management decisions

· Contributes actively as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provides all necessary financial support and guidance to Program Directors and Deputies

· Revises the strategies of StARS departments in response to changing situations (e.g. EGP devaluation) and participates in periodic financial and strategic planning

· Assists in the planning and delivery of the StARS’ core programs and the activities of each department (through the running of monthly financial and budgeting meetings with the Departmental Directors) in accordance with StARS’ mission, strategic plan, and donor requirements

· Advocate with service providers, project partners, Refugee-Led Organizations, UNHCR, other UN agencies, INGOs, and local organizations regarding the service delivery for displaced communities.

· Advocates, particularly with UNHCR, on issues relating to refugees, migrants, Refugee-Led Organizations and displaced communities.

· Monitors policies and external developments affecting refugees in Egypt, paying special attention to particularly vulnerable or marginalized groups.

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience

· Minimum 5 years of finance and accounting experiences in non-profit organizations and/or public sectors, with extensive knowledge of accounting and finance matters. Audit experiences would also be considered, but candidates must have at least 2 solid years of accounting experiences.

Required Skills

· Strong management and organizational skills required, including proficiency in financial systems and internal controls.

· Familiarity with the donor contractual requirements of multilateral organizations (e.g. United Nations), government / public sector sponsors and private donors

· Detail-oriented.

· Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

· Good stress management skills

· Good analytical and computer skills.

· Good team building and capacity building skills

· Experiences and genuine interest in multicultural work environments.

· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support StARS’ Mission and Vision as a StARS staff member.

Education and Certifications

· Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting (or equivalent qualification)

· CPA or a willingness to work towards it is desirable

Working Hours: The Director of Finance Department is expected to be at work for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and weekend work are sometimes necessary. Work will be conducted both in StARS premises and also in refugee communities and centers.

Advised by: The Director of Finance Department is a member of the StARS Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The Executive Leadership Team is advised by StARS Advisory Board.

This position is subject to a three-month probationary period, at which time the employee’s performance will be reviewed and probation may be extended.

Closing date for applications: 25 May 2024

Anticipated Starting date: As soon as possible

To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Director of Finance Department and Co-Director of the Executive Leadership Team”. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).

For any questions or an initial discussion: Please contact Fiona Cameron on fcameron@stars-egypt.org

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Qualifications

Experience

· Minimum 5 years of finance and accounting experiences in non-profit organizations and/or public sectors, with extensive knowledge of accounting and finance matters. Audit experiences would also be considered, but candidates must have at least 2 solid years of accounting experiences.

Required Skills

· Strong management and organizational skills required, including proficiency in financial systems and internal controls.

· Familiarity with the donor contractual requirements of multilateral organizations (e.g. United Nations), government / public sector sponsors and private donors

· Detail-oriented.

· Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

· Good stress management skills

· Good analytical and computer skills.

· Good team building and capacity building skills

· Experiences and genuine interest in multicultural work environments.

· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support StARS’ Mission and Vision as a StARS staff member.

Education and Certifications

· Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting (or equivalent qualification)

· CPA or a willingness to work towards it is desirable

To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Director of Finance Department and Co-Director of the Executive Leadership Team”. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).

For any questions or an initial discussion: Please contact Fiona Cameron on fcameron@stars-egypt.org

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.