Director of Finance - Project and Program Operations

About the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES): IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions, and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for all. As the global leader in the promotion and protection of democracy, our technical assistance and applied research develop trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. IFES is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization with an international focus has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing to mature democracies. Since our establishment in 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries.

The greatest assets of IFES are our global team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment that is mission-focused. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High-Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:
The Director-Project and Program Finance Operations manages a cross-functional team that provides full life-cycle operational support, financial management, and reporting for 90+ projects worldwide. This adaptable problem-solver is an expert who is expected to provide leadership and direction to his team in all aspects of project financial and operational management, including project pricing proposals, project/program annual budget development, project/program cash management, supporting Program leadership in project/program implementation, and project/program close-outs. Your work will directly contribute to the success of our projects, which, in turn, contribute to the advancement of democracy in over 145 countries.

The Director-Project and Program Finance Operations identifies and analyzes risk factors with the potential to disrupt the achievement of program or operational goals and leads their team in developing and implementing solutions based on best practices, applicable regulations, and donor requirements to address those issues. The Director also ensures that creative and practical solutions for financial tracking needs and complex ad hoc requests are designed and implemented. The individual must be fully capable of stepping in to support the financial management of a project directly if needed, ensuring the highest level of financial compliance and integrity.

This individual builds and maintains strong interpersonal relationships throughout the organization, particularly with Regional Directors, Program Teams, and Business Development staff, and provides guidance and insight on the financial management of projects funded through a wide variety of mechanisms and donors, including USG, FCDO, DFAT, GAC, Sida, and SDC.
The Director leads their team's efforts to work with the Business Development team to improve the analysis of contract pricing and overall project cost recovery and identify trends to better inform IFES' strategic growth.

The Director also serves as IFES' primary financial representative for the Consortium for Elections and Political Strengthening (CEPPS) with direct responsibility for providing quarterly reporting data, managing final project close-outs, responding to ad-hoc Mission requests, and developing efficient cross-partner policy.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of Program Administration Specialists and Field Finance Officers responsible for the following and ensure that the following ends are achieved:
  
  • Ensure that cost proposal and narrative templates align with IFES' costing structures and policies and consistently leverage those templates in developing pricing proposals in response to and support of RFPs, grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and sub-award proposals for USG and non-USG solicitations.
  • Building a detailed budget, in concert with project and program leadership, that wholly and accurately represents what was accepted by all parties in the project or program agreement. The budget will give the financial expectations and operational activities on a monthly basis for each active fiscal year and is then input into the local sub-ledger and system of record, Costpoint, upon the approval of that budget.
  • Effectively, appropriately, and accurately implementing those defining aspects of the final negotiated grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or sub-award agreement in IFES's local sub-ledger QuickBooks and its system of record, Costpoint.
  • Project code structuring and setup, including designing and setting up optimal coding structures for projects with complex or non-standard reporting/billing requirements.
  • Financial analysis and planning support as required by the donor/grantor and Program leadership.
  • In coordination with the Global Controller and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, develop as-needed financial reporting and tracking tools for internal clients and project managers.
  • The delivery of all donor/grantor and internally required reporting and billing in the format and timeframe as called out in the underlying agreement and consistent with IFES Program team requirements.
  • Audit coverage.
  
  
• Be accountable for ensuring that their team accomplishes the following day-to-day financial operational responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner:
  
  • Reviewing and approving donor financial reports and invoices.
  • Troubleshooting potential challenges to implementation.
  • Working with Program leadership to address project-specific needs.
  • The timely, accurate, and appropriate drawdown of cash for USG and non-USG funded awards, including drawdowns through the USG's online PMS system.
    
  
  
• Provide technical leadership around and ensure the completion of the following:
  
  • Devising and maintaining SOPs, financial tracking templates, and training materials for the unit's core business processes.
  • Providing IFES project staff with training on the principles of project financial management and understanding financial data as needed.
  • Conduct site visits as needed to ensure appropriate financial and administrative management systems are implemented to meet the level and complexity of funding.
    
  
  
• Other duties as assigned by the IFES CFO.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Professional Experience and Knowledge:

• Significant understanding of USG Rules and Regulations, including Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR); experience with non-USG donor regulations and requirements is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with USG grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts and strong knowledge of project budgeting and contract pricing strategies.
• Experience developing financial reporting and tracking tools for complex, multi-year projects; ability to effectively analyze terms and conditions related to complex contractual activities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others at varying levels of seniority and across departmental boundaries and to exercise influence to achieve a cohesive approach to business development.
• Demonstrated experience in, and success with, managing and leading a team of financial professionals.
• Integrity, judgment, and discretion, along with a professional and interpersonal demeanor that elicits trust and respect from colleagues, donors, and strategic partners.
• Ability to multitask, manage multiple deadlines, and make decisive, effective, and timely decisions.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and maintain quality, detail, and organization across multiple assignments.
• Ability to proactively solve complex issues and be willing to coach others to do the same.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptionally strong MS Office and tools skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
• Experience with Costpoint and QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• Strong, native-level English. Knowledge of other languages is a plus.

EDUCATION:
At a minimum, a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business is required. MBA in accounting or finance is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of 12 years of experience in project implementation, federal government contract accounting, financial management, and administration of cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants.

TRAVEL EXPECTATION: Travel may be required up to 20% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Why join IFES?
Would you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment working with committed and talented people, making a meaningful difference worldwide? At IFES, our team members are our greatest assets. We are mission and values driven. We offer competitive benefits, pay, and career development. We center the rights of marginalized people in the work we do and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; women; persons with disabilities; youth; and LGBTQ+ people to apply.

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