Work percentage: 100%

Length: Open ended

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Start date: Mid-April 2023 or earlier

Reports to: Finance Director

Applications close: 12 March 2023

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The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an independent, non-profit organisation with offices in Geneva and New York. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our work supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic human rights concerns. For more information, consult our website www.ishr.ch.

The position

The Finance Manager holds a central role within the organization. The responsibilities include overseeing end-to-end finance operations, grants management, project accounting and analysis. Working under the supervision of the Finance Director, the Finance Manager will also work very closely with the Finance Officer and the Fundraising and Development Team, Programme and operations Managers in relation to all financial aspects of ISHR programmes, including the preparation of budgets and prudential, timely and accurate financial management and reporting.

The position will be based in Geneva and will function as a key resource for management across all programmes and operations, providing accounting, internal control, project management and finance.

Key responsibilities

Global Financial Management

• Internal control and external audit procedures: In conjunction with the Finance Director and external auditors, you will review and evaluate on an ongoing basis the financial systems, programme and operations processes. You will identify potential internal control weaknesses as well as opportunities for enhanced efficiency and recommend corrective actions.
• Financial reports and projections: Support the monthly and annual closing procedures, prepare the financial statements and projections for the Executive Director and the Board.
• Payments and expenditures: You review and ensure that all project related expenditures prepared by the Finance Officer are properly authorised and allocated, and accurately effected and recorded.
• Banking: You will manage and have the oversight of ISHR’s bank accounts and monitor relevant grant receivables, and review monthly reconciliations related to these accounts.
• Support the Finance Director in the preparation of grants budget proposals and key finance requirements to donors (with Fundraising Team & Programme Managers).
• Other: You will also undertake other functions delegated by the Finance Director or Executive Director to ensure programmatic and operational alignment with ISHR's Strategic Goals.

Grant Management

• Grant and contract management: In conjunction with Managers, you will ensure effective grant management, maintain accurate revenue recognition, and respond to donors’ requests and acquittals in accordance with contractual requirements and criteria.
• Donors reports: You will prepare earmarked budget reports and lead on project-based audits and seek budget owner’s approval.
• In-country training & consultations: You will review and approve all fund requests before missions and support programme managers in drafting third party contracts.
• Subgrantees and partners’ management: You will manage all financial aspects of sub-grants in accordance with donors’ requirements.
• Other: You will perform other tasks as needed for a well functioning programme and grants’ management function.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have:

• • A degree in accounting, finance, business administration, CFC commerce or equivalent.
  • At least 5 years of professional experience, including experience managing grants, project-based accounting and preparation of financial statements;
  • Proven project management and organisational skills;
  • Must have knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply Swiss GAAP FER RPC 21 and internal controls;;

• Strong command of Word, advanced Excel skills required (i.e. Pivot Tables, Formulas, Pivot, VBA functions);.
• Fluency in English;Outstanding interpersonal and multicutural skills and the ability to work collaboratively, flexibly and effectively in a dynamic international and multicultural team;
• Strong work ethic, capacity to work independently, and consistent performance with a sense of urgency and commitment;
• A strong commitment to the principles and practice of human rights;
• EU/EFTA national or a valid Swiss work permit.

Preferred:

• US GAAP;
• Fluency in French;
• Previous work experience in an NGO or international organisation.

Salary 

The monthly gross salary range is CHF7’200 to CHF7’500 (depending on qualifications and experience). ISHR does not pay a 13th month salary.

Equal opportunity 

ISHR is firmly committed to having a diverse team and to the principle of equal employment opportunity. ISHR’s policy is to practice fair and non-discriminatory recruitment and selection procedures and strive for diverse, international and multicultural personnel.

We welcome all kinds of diversity. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction, including on grounds of race, colour, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or sex characteristics, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, socio-economic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We particularly welcome applications from systematically, historically and/or traditionally discriminated against groups, including women, persons of colour, LGBTIQ+ persons, persons with disabilities and other groups.

Applications 

Please submit your application by filling out this form and attaching a cover letter, a CV (no profile picture please). ISHR will review these products only for the purpose of this recruitment and will not use them for any other purpose.

Applications will close on 12 March 2023.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be handled in accordance with ISHR’s Privacy Policy.