Head of Finance (HoF)

DanChurchAid (DCA) is a faith-based, non-missionary organization. We work for the poor, vulnerable and socially excluded communities and believe in life before death. Our everyday work with development and relief aid strives to help the oppressed, neglected and marginalized groups in our focus countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to strengthen their possibilities of a life in dignity. In Nepal, Bangladesh and India, we are involved in several thematic areas with our work focusing on resilient livelihood, active citizenship and migrants’ rights, among others.

The South Asia Regional Office (SARO) in Kathmandu, Nepal is looking for a well qualified person to be responsible for our Finance work across India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
This position will be part of the Regional Management Team and will assist Regional Representative in overall management and delivery of DCA’s financial programme.
The Head of Finance – SARO will have overall responsibility for financial management related to South Asia Office consisting of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Head of Finance plays a pivotal role in overall financial management with strict adherence to the DCA policies / systems in line with the requirements of DCA, HQ, donor agencies and local government rules and tax regulations.

Applicants for the job should have a postgraduate degree in finance or related field, preferably Chartered Accountant but MBA Finance is also an option. S/he needs to have a minimum ten years of working experience in development organization national / international NGO with similar responsibilities and managing back donor funded projects budgets, particularly Europe Aid and ECHO and experience in South Asia region.

DCA is committed to promoting rights-based development and gender equality in all of our programmes. We promote the interests and rights of the poorest, most marginalised and discriminated communities. All staff therefore must have personal commitment and practise of social equity and equal rights. This regional position requires strong analytical, facilitation, communication and writing skills as well as fluency in written English.  The Regional Office needs a person with excellent interpersonal communication skills and a good sense of humour. Willingness and ability to travel extensively across the region and be flexible is essential.
  
Job title: Head of Finance (HoF)

Working hours per week: 40 hours per week

Contract period: 2 years

Organisational unit: Finance Team and Management Team (MT)

Manager: Regional Representative (RR)

Staff manager for: 2 Finance and Procurement Officer – Nepal
                                  1 Finance and Procurement Officer – India
                                  1 Finance Officer – Bangladesh
                                  1 Accounts Officer – India
                                  1 Finance Assistant - India

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Last revision: 30th September 2014

Purpose of the job (brief): The Head of Finance – SARO will have overall responsibility for financial management related to South Asia Office consisting of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Head of Finance plays a pivotal role in overall financial management with strict adherence to the DCA policies / systems in line with the requirements of DCA, HQ, donor agencies and local government rules and tax regulations.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED IN THE POSITION:

• Educational Background and Working experience
• Educational background / postgraduate degree in finance or related field, preferably Chartered Accountant but MBA Finance also an option
• Minimum ten years of working experience in development organizations preferably international NGOs with similar responsibilities and field work
• Experience in managing back donor funded projects budgets, particularly Europe Aid and ECHO
• Experience in regional programming in South Asia region a strong advantage
• Knowledge of legal compliance issues, preferably across all 3 countries: Nepal, India, and Bangladesh

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• Strong coordination, communications, and facilitation skills
• Ability and willingness to work in team
• Excellent writing and reporting skills

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a strategic thinker
• Strong commitment to basic values and mission of DCA and the overall objectives of DCA South Asia programme
• Ability and willingness to work with people of different backgrounds
• Contribute constructively to a working environment based on mutual respect and trust
• Ability to cope with stress and work under difficult circumstances

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Nepali but also in other South Asian languages such as Hindi and Bengali

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Other tasks will be identified from time to time according to organizational needs. The job description is not prescriptive; but the key responsibilities and duties of the post  are subject to change over time. Changes according to the organisational needs will be made in consultation with staff concerned, in compliance with any policies and procedures of DCA.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

The position will oversee India, Nepal and Bangladesh and will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal and is offered for a 2 year contract with the possibility of renewal. Gross salary will range approximately from NPR. 32,00,000 to 35,00,000 per annum. Other terms and conditions will be commensurate with those prevailing among similar development organisations.
The post holder is required to make periodic visits to India and Bangladesh or other countries in the region where DCA has partners and projects.

All DCA staff must subscribe to the basic values, vision and mission of DCA and adhere to the overall aims and objectives of DCA South Asia programme. All staff must demonstrate commitment and interest in development and relief work.

The position will oversee India, Nepal and Bangladesh, but will be located in Kathmandu, Nepal and shall be paid under local national terms and conditions in accordance with existing salary scales and benefits.

Only applications consisting of a motivation letter and resume will be considered. Please submit your application by uploading it by e-mail to dcasouthasia@dca.dk. Deadline for application is 26th October 2014, Sunday.

Interviews are scheduled tentatively around mid-November in Kathmandu, Nepal. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

DCA is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men from different caste, ethnic and religious backgrounds and encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for all our positions. For further details about DCA visit our website www.danchurchaid.org.

DanChurchAid is an independent, faith-based and non-missionary, humanitarian Danish organization working on emergency, development, information and advocacy in partnership with secular civil society organizations with a rights based commitment. DCA promotes equal opportunities for women and men from different caste, ethnic and religious background

                           Female candidates are encouraged to apply