The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is looking for a finance manager.
Background
APC is an international network of civil society organisations founded in 1990 dedicated to empowering and supporting people working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of information and communications technologies (ICTs).
APC has a team of 54 people working from 26 countries, growing to almost 60 people in the next three months, with a majority located in the global South. APC’s team are activists, feminists, technologist and policy-change actors working at the intersection of technology, social and environmental justice, human rights, sexual rights and women’s rights.
APC’s annual budget is between USD 7 million and USD 8 million, sourced from a range of donors including governments, private and public foundations and intergovernmental organisations, and it is used to implement a complex set of programmes and projects with detailed financial compliance, monitoring and reporting requirements.
Purpose of the position: The finance manager holds responsibility for accounting oversight, control and management of APC’s finances and ensures APC is compliant with all financial statutory requirements. They lead the finance team in its role to maintain strong financial controls, provide accurate financial data and reports, make timely payment to creditors and of invoices/receipts of debtors, maintain accurate accounts, and ensure compliance across finances at all levels of the organisation.
They are a critical member of the senior leadership team, providing information and advice in support and development of APC’s financial resilience and organisational development strategies.
Deadline for applications: 7 May 2023
Start date: 19 June 2023
Working relationships: You will work closely with APC’s leadership team and will report to the APC director of operations.
Location: The applicant can work from anywhere as long as they have reliable connectivity. APC provides an equipment allowance and requires staff to use their own computers and office equipment. Occasional international and regional travel will be required. APC is a networked organisation with a strong base and orientation towards the global South and privileges this political lens and location in our work.
Remuneration and duration of contract: This is a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) position on an initial 12-month contract with the possibility of renewal. Contract renewal is dependent on performance (there will be a four-month probation period) and the availability of funding. Remuneration is in the range of USD 65,000 to USD 75,000 per year. Short-listed applicants will receive specific information about the salary range.
Responsibilities
Accounting oversight: Establish and implement internal control measures on the organisation’s financial and accounting procedures based on internationally agreed accounting principles and procedures, donor guidelines and requirements; create and maintain APC’s organisational accounting ledger; document financial policies and procedures and maintain APC’s finance manual.
Statutory compliance: Ensure APC’s financial statutory compliance obligations are fulfilled. This includes liaising with accountants, banks and lawyers in two countries to to prepare annual tax returns, VAT returns, and state and federal non-profit statutory reporting requirements.
Audits and special procedures: Oversee implementation of APC’s organisational and project audits and/or procedures and ensure they are implemented in line with statutory and donor deadlines; liaise with auditors as needed and coordinate meetings between auditors, the APC board and leadership teams, as required; coordinate implementation of project audits with APC leads and other staff, as required.
Financial control: Oversee development of financial guidelines and reporting templates for APC collaborative activity implementation; ensure APC contracts reference financial guidelines and that financial reports are compliant with these guidelines; manage vendor agreements and review and sign off on all financial agreements and insurance policies; ensure expenditure is aligned with approved budgets.
Budgets: Develop and maintain budget guidelines and templates; co-lead the organisational budget development process working closely with the APC operations director; oversee input of budgets into APC’s cloud-based accounting system.
Financial data and reporting: Oversee preparation of all financial data and reports, including management reports for the APC Board and leadership on a quarterly basis; annual reports for the APC council; donor reports as per agreements; and general ledger and other data as needed.
Financial resilience and organisational development: Develop annual finance work plan and monitor its implementation; oversee capacity-building work with budget holders and project coordinators to increase awareness and knowledge of finance and compliance-related policies, procedures, guidelines and templates; work with APC’s operations director and resource mobilisation coordinator to build APC’s reserves and explore social investment opportunities.
Systems: Oversee ongoing development plans for APC’s cloud-based accounting system, working with the finance and tech teams as well as external consultants.
Team: Lead a core finance team of three, providing effective supervision, coordination and performance management, and provide mentorship and support to staff located in APC programmes who have responsibility for finance work.
Core requirements for the role
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Qualified accountant with a degree in accounting/business management (accounting)/equivalent degree.
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Demonstrated experience (ten years minimum) in senior financial organisational management and accounting, ideally in the non-profit sector.
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Knowledge of accounting regulations and procedures, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
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Leadership ability, excellent team management and interpersonal skills, and the ability and experience of working in a team, cross-culturally and across time zones.
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Experience working with cloud-based complex accounting systems (ERP) and technical staff involved in development and maintenance of financial and accounting systems and packages.
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Excellent spreadsheet skills, including knowledge of macros and formulas.
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Experience developing financial management strategies, including management and building of reserve funds and/or social investment funds.
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Experience with organisational and project audits, donor financial and administrative reporting and financial compliance requirements, management reports and budget development.
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Experience in documenting financial management and compliance policies and procedures.
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Excellent organisational, analytical and planning skills and attention to detail, with an ability to prioritise and delegate effectively.
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Excellent written and spoken English.
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Significant experience working in an online virtual/remote environment.
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Belief in APC’s vision and mission and experience working for organisations or networks with similar goals and values.
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Available for occasional travel.
Also an advantage:
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Recognised full accounting qualification/accreditation (ACMA, ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA).
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Relevant post-graduate qualifications (e.g. Master’s degree).
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Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French.
APC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, sexuality or gender identity, disability or any other protected status with respect to recruitment, hiring, development and training, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment. APC values people from diverse backgrounds and encourages applications from people from the global South, working to create an open atmosphere of integrity, trust, honesty and respect. We particularly encourage women and trans, gender-queer, non-binary and gender-diverse people to apply.
More about APC
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) was established by seven founding organisations in 1990 as an international membership-based network working to mobilise emerging electronic information and communication networks for social justice and development. APC celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020.
APC has grown into a respected network with a total of 62 organisational members. APC’s strength comes from the experience, expertise and credibility of the people who make up the network and the organisational culture of feminist values, commitment to human rights, belief in collaboration and respect and care that APC brings to its relationship within the APC community.
Our vision is for people to use and shape the internet and digital technologies to create a just and sustainable world, leading to greater care for ourselves, each other and the Earth.
Our mission is to create a just and sustainable world by harnessing the collective power of activists, organisations, excluded groups, communities and social movements, to challenge existing power structures and ensure that the internet is developed and governed as a global public good.
Apply for this position here.
If you have any questions please write to director@apc.org including “Finance Manager” in the subject line.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.