BACKGROUND:

Passing Gifts Private Limited (PGPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heifer International USA and it provide services in educating, consulting, training, advising, and providing professional and technical services to individuals, associations, and entities in India and abroad, particularly those who support or are working in the areas of social advancement and sustainable development.

PGPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION:

The Associate Director of Finance will support the Director of Finance and oversee all aspects of program finance, donor reporting, budgeting, proposal preparation, audits, and organizational compliance. This role serves as the Finance Controller within the organization, ensuring the financial health and integrity of our operations.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:

Financial Acumen; Manages Complexity; Action Oriented; Plans and aligns; Optimizes work processes; Ensures accountability; Drives results; Collaborates; Communicates effectively; Persuades; Courage; Situational adaptability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Statutory Compliance: (30%)
   • Ensure financial systems and policies comply with all taxation, legislation, and statutory obligations in India.
   • Align the organization with changing external developments in finance, taxation, laws, and regulations.
   • Support audit and other financial compliance processes.
   • Monitor audits and liaise with auditors to ensure timely completion.
   • Drive and ensure implementation of post-audit action plans to address audit observations.

1. Financial Strategy and Planning / Forecasts: (20%)
   • Assist in developing and implementing financial strategies in line with organizational operations, short-term and long-term budgets, and business plans.
   • Analyze revenue, expenses, cash flow, donor reports, and balance sheets.
   • Developing effective internal control systems to improve the processes & systems.
   • Prepare and implement management information systems, financial/operational/grants policies, and SOPs.
   • Assist management and program departments in making informed financial decisions.
   • Assist Director of Finance in annual budgeting exercise to prepare the annual business plan and execute it in line with organizational operations.

1. Oversight/Monitoring/Operations Role: (20%)
   • Provide oversight on accounting processes and governance practices for the Board and other stakeholders.
   • Monitor and report grant to all concerned stakeholders.
   • Support the Director of Finance in development, updating, and implementation of policies, processes, and SOPs.
   • Assist in deliver legal compliances, grant management and operational landscapes.

1. Audit and Compliance: (25%)
   • Support the Director of Finance in ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures.
   • Support in implementing and monitor internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
   • Support in ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies.

May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, plus seven (7) years of related experience, OR
• Master’s degree plus five (5) years of related experience
• Experience in a donor-funded international development environment with compliance requirements of the U.S. government and institutional funders for international development, such USAID, EU, IFAD, DFID, mega-foundations and others.
• Project management experience, with project management certification a plus
• Supervisory experience a plus
• Knowledge of the NGO business sector, including compliance requirements of the government; knowledge of institutional funders for international development is a plus.
• Ability to navigate financial and non-financial data gathering and analytics; technically adept with the ability to quickly learn and maximize usage of technology and software; effective user of Microsoft Office Suite with good skill in MS Excel
• Effective communicator and influencer with the ability to clearly convey complex financial issues in a clear format for non-finance professions, motivating continuous and collaborative improvement.
• Proficient in the local country’s generally accepted accounting principles and fiscal statute.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work under pressure, perform multiple tasks and manage consistently competing priorities, comfortable in a rapidly changing environment. Must be flexible and able to improvise to handle a variety of situations.

• Ability to effectively mentor and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies; strong facilitation skills preferred.
• Ability to work with delicate personnel situations and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain close relationships and work with team members from a distance and with limited opportunity for personal interaction.
• Constant sitting and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Constant face-to-face, electronic and telephone communication with colleagues and the public
• Ability to prepare documents and other materials in a well-designed and attractive format, with attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
• Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
• Adequate physical condition necessary to travel to project sites in rural areas.