We invite you to apply for the Head of Finance, Administration and Compliance role at The New Humanitarian in Geneva Switzerland. Please see below the detailed job description. If you would like to apply for the role, please complete the Application Form . The form should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Applications close on 15 November 2024.


The Head of Finance, Administration and Compliance role is a key member of the TNH Senior Leadership team, responsible for overseeing the Financial Health and Sustainability of TNH. It supports the CEO, Board and governance committees directly as strategic advisor, providing insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and setting strategic direction, developing long-term sustainable plans, for the organisation, in collaboration with the other Heads of Functions. This role involves strategic planning, operational management, and ensuring that the financial strategy is designed and implemented in alignment with the overall TNH Strategic Objectives. The Head of Finance, Administration and Compliance will drive innovation, efficiency, and excellence within their function, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration, in accordance with the TNH People & Culture Strategy.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the department.
• Lead and manage their teams, providing guidance, mentorship, performance and talent management.
• Collaborate with other Heads of departments, to ensure cross-functional alignment and support for company-wide initiatives.
• Monitor and analyse trends to inform strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Oversee the development and management of their department’s budget.
• Create, build and maintain the People & Culture strategy within their department.
• Represent their department in executive and board meetings, reporting on key metrics and performance indicators.
• Act as advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Board and governance committees providing insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Team Leadership

• Leadership Development: Mentor and develop the leadership capabilities of direct reports and emerging leaders within the Department.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Champion diversity and inclusion initiatives within the Department. Ensure that hiring, promotion, and team dynamics reflect the organisation’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Engagement: Implement strategies to enhance staff engagement and satisfaction. Encourage open communication, recognise achievements, and create opportunities for team members to contribute to decision-making processes.
• Conflict Resolution: Address and resolve conflicts within the department promptly and effectively. Promote a positive and respectful workplace culture.
• Team Effectiveness: Cultivate a high-performing department by ensuring that top talent is acquired, developed, coached and mentored. Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide constructive developmental feedback. Recognise and reward outstanding performance while addressing areas for improvement.
• Succession Planning: Develop and maintain a robust succession plan to ensure continuity and stability within the department. Identify and prepare high-potential employees for future career progression. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Resource Management: Allocate resources effectively to meet team and organisational goals. Ensure that team members have the tools, training, and support they need to succeed.
• Change Management: Lead the Department team through organisational change, ensuring clear communication, support, and alignment with the organisation’s strategic direction.

Financial management

• Operating in a global environment, provide strategic guidance and analysis and reporting to the CEO, TNH Board, and governance committees on overall financial health of the organisation, including financial risk, budget size and structure, optimal use of resources and currency management in compliance with legislation in multiple countries.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting and forecasting to ensure organisational financial health and stability.
• Oversee TNH’s financial management by enforcing internal financial controls and robust financial policies and procedures that meet the Association’s statutory.
• requirements while providing for sufficient operational flexibility.
• Enhance financial management systems, policies, and tools, including forecast models and cash management tools.
• Accountable for successful audits in compliance with Swiss GAAP FER standards and ISA 700
• Lead the organisation's adherence to accounting standards and audits.

HR Operations

• Oversee the entire payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate salary payments while ensuring compliance with international payroll-related legislation. Identify and mitigate any risks associated with payroll processing.
• Implement robust internal controls to prevent errors and fraud, to ensure compliance and governance.

Risk Management and Legal Compliance

• Oversee the organisation’s legal, compliance and financial risk management.
• Provides expert advice to the organisation, CEO and Board to ensure compliance with Swiss and international regulations.
• Ensure that risk assessments for high-risk travel of journalists are complete; Monitor and track action plans to mitigate identified risks through appropriate insurance cover.
• Responsible for developing crisis management plans for high-risk travel.
• Ensure continuous improvement to the risk management process, including simulations and after-action reviews with the management team.

Organisational Governance

• Ensure due diligence is conducted on prospective donors and partners, and contracts are aligned with organisation standards.
• Monitor and mitigate any risks of corruption, money laundering, involvement with terrorism activities or violations of international sanctions.

Information Technology

• Ensure that Information Technology software, hardware and infrastructure supports the organisation’s strategic goals.
• Accountable for the organisation's information management to safeguard institutional memory; guard against cybersecurity risks and ensure TNH data is properly stored and managed.
• Manage the Information Technology service providers for effective service delivery.
• Accountable for the organisation’s Information Security.

Office Management

• Ensure that the organisation’s physical spaces support its operational needs and financial goals.
• Oversee lease negotiations to ensure favourable terms for the organisation.
• Manage sub-lease agreements, ensuring they are legally sound and financially beneficial.
• Act as the as the primary point of contact with the landlord, handling all communications regarding lease terms, maintenance issues, and any disputes.
• Manage the process of lease renewals or terminations, ensuring that the organisation’s needs are met and that any transitions are smooth and cost-effective.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE

Minimum Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA)
• Certificate in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Essential Experience

• Audit experience from Big 4 Audit and Accounting Firms
• 10 to 12 years of experience in Finance, Administration and Compliance at Senior Leadership level at a multi-national organisation
• Non-profit organisation (NGO) accounting experience
• Experience in Swiss Abacus Accounting software
• Experience in Sanction Checks for international payments in Crisis countries
• Experience in Donor Reporting
• Experience in Budgets and Audits
• Experience in managing Information Technology (IT) software and infrastructure.

Skills and Competencies

• Exhibits strong organisational leadership skills in driving organisation success, sustainability and growth.
• Develops and communicates a clear strategic vision for the organisational Finance, Administration and Compliance function, aligning it with the overall organisational goals.
• Effectively leads and manages change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruption.
• Identifies potential risks and implements strategies to mitigate them.
• Demonstrates a commitment to operational excellence by continuously optimising processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
  
• Utilises systems thinking to understand the interdependencies within the organisation and fosters cross-functional collaboration to achieve common goals.
  
• Exhibits strong people leadership skills, inspiring, empowering and guiding team members to achieve their full potential and effectively achieve organisational objectives. Invests in the development of team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Leads integrity and ethical behaviour.
  
• Possesses strong financial acumen, effectively managing budgeting and resource allocation to support strategic initiatives.
  
• Leads the organisational Finance, Administration and Compliance function in engaging with stakeholders proactively, building and maintaining strong relationships to ensure alignment and support for organisational goals.
  
• Embraces innovation and leads adaptability in response to changing environments and emerging challenges.
  
• Leverages data and analytics to derive actionable insights, informing strategic decisions and driving business performance.
• Applies specialist knowledge to provide expert insights and solutions within organisational Finance, Administration and Compliance function.