Head of Finance and Governance

About the role:

The role holder is a key member of Christian Aid Ireland’s leadership team, participating in the development of Christian Aid Ireland’s vision, mission and strategic direction, with particular emphasis on financial planning, financial stewardship and financial control, good governance and enhancing organization - wide performance.

This role leads the finance function of Christian Aid Ireland. The post holder will provide a wide range of support, financial analysis and information to Christian Aid Ireland management, the Board and its sub-committees.  The post holder will manage and develop the Finance team and its staff, so that there are clear lines of responsibility and authority and the team is able to contribute to the overall strategic priorities of Christian Aid Ireland.

Key governance duties include maintaining the risk management framework and supporting the leadership team, Finance and Audit Committee and Board in their governance duties in relation to risk management and internal controls.  The role supports the wider organization in developing/maintaining appropriate control frameworks including dealing with misuse of funds as they arise.  The role provides support and guidance to the Board and relevant sub-committees as requested in relation to the governance arrangements of Christian Aid Ireland. The role also advises and supports the Leadership Team in setting policies and procedures for compliance with legal and Charity Commission requirements.

The post holder will represent Christian Aid Ireland professionally with Irish Aid and other donors, as well as in external forums such as Dóchas.

About you:

Essential – role specific related

• Member of a recognised professional accounting body, with a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience, demonstrating skills at a senior level in an organisation.
• Experience of managing and motivating colleagues within a Finance team.
• Experience of statutory reporting, preferably in the not for profit sector.
• Experience of strategic planning, budgeting and developing successful models of management reporting.
• Ability to build respect for the value adding nature of financial information.
• Knowledge of VAT, tax and trading issues.
• Knowledge of complex accounting systems.
• Ability to explain complex financial issues to non-financial staff.

Essential – sector and organisationally related

• Sympathy with the ethos and purpose of Christian Aid Ireland including its values, ways of working and strategic direction.
• Passion for poverty eradication, equality and social justice
• Ability and willingness to act as public representative of the organization as and when required, this may also involve speaking on behalf of CAI
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to participate in and contribute to wider organisational discussions at leadership level

 Desirable

• Experience of financial management in the development sector.
• Experience of the legislative environment of UK and Ireland charities.
• Experience of foreign exchange /treasury management.
• Knowledge of development issues.
• A practising Christian. 

For further details and to apply, visit our careers page:  https://jobs.christianaid.org.uk/