Finance and Administration Director in the USA

The Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria (based in the USA) seeks a qualified candidate for a part-time position that will become a full-time position within six months.

Finance and Administration Director

The Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria (CCSDS) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization. CCSDS raises awareness of the benefits of a democratic society in Syria, promotes democratic values within Syria, and devises new ways to connect communities through democratic ideology in Syria. We aim to cultivate hope and support for the Syrian democratic movement by empowering Syrian civil society and building a bridge between the American public and Syrian civil society. We work to use the learning internationally and from Syria to achieve a future for Syria where sustainable peace and justice prevail. CCSDS partners with local organizations and strategic partners in Syria and neighboring countries to fulfill our mission. CCSDS and our partners have been working to strengthen and support Syrian civil society for more than a decade. Our programming supports sustainable and long-term Syrian-led movements for peace, justice, and democracy in Syria.

We seek an experienced individual who is enthusiastic about promoting CCSDS’ mission and moving the organization’s finance and administrative department to the next level. The Finance and Administration Director (FAD) will be one of the organization’s strategic leaders and report to the Executive Director (ED). The successful candidate will lead and develop the finance and admin department, serve as a hands-on and participative manager who will support the following areas: strategic planning, finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources and payrolls, legal registrations and administrations, operations, and the technical infrastructure of CCSDS. The FAD will play a crucial role in the management of the organization in strategic and tactical roles. This position will help to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of CCSDS to continue our well-respected, high-impact work to empower civil society in Syria for sustainable peace and democratic values.

CCSDS is an equal-opportunity employer and offers a stimulating professional environment and the opportunity to work with a network of dedicated and committed professionals.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Finance
  • Analyze and present financial reports accurately and timely; communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments; and oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting.
  • Oversee expenditures following the board-approved annual operating budget and manage CCSDS’s resources wisely within the budget guidelines.
  • Provide financial oversight, review financial reports, and provide feedback to the board of directors.
  • Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the finance committee/Treasurer of the board of directors, and assess any necessary changes.
  • Oversee and lead the annual budgeting and planning process with the ED; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep the senior leadership team updated with the organization’s financial status.
  • Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
  • Implement a robust contracts and financial management/reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements.
  • Ensure CCSDS’ sustainability by providing adequate grants and resources for the work.
  • Establish a good understanding of the finance concepts with programs and development.
  • Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
  • Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the board of directors.
• Administration/Operations
  • Provide oversight of day-to-day operations, including all projects and programs.
  • Advise on appropriate staffing and contractors for projects and conduct the preparation and plans for new projects and programs.
  • Ensure all CCSDS products, data, work, and effects are archived and ensure all the technical parts of the organizations are
  • Work to improve organizational efficiency and develop and document standard operating procedures.
  • Solicit pro bono resources where needed and maintain relationships with pro bono vendors (law firms, universities, partner organizations, etc.).
  • Oversee organizational risk management efforts (insurance coverage, minimizing legal liability, etc).
  • Ensure that all registration and compliance requirements are met for our USA operations.
  • Create/update organizational policies and procedures as needed for approval by the Board of Directors.
  • Further develop CCSDS’s human resources and administration, enhancing professional development, compensation and benefits, performance evaluation, training, and recruiting.
  • Ensure that recruiting processes are consistent and streamlined.
  • Establish and manage a comprehensive training program to educate employees regarding staff tools, policies, and procedures.
  • Work closely and transparently with all external partners, including third-party vendors and consultants.
  • Oversee administrative functions and facilities to ensure efficient and consistent operations as the organization scales.

Qualifications and skills

Ideal candidates for this position will:

• Hold a BA, ideally a Master’s in Business Management/ CPA or a related field.
• Have at least ten years’ experience of finance and admin experience, preferably with NGOs budgeting more than 2 million US dollars.
• Have at least three years of experience in a leadership role in the civil society sector/social impact company.
• Have experience supporting strategic growth, sustainability, resource acquisition, resource mobilization, and the organization’s development.
• Have experience with final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, financial reporting for the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, preparing for the 990, and audit coordination for either project or the whole organization.
• Have experience in translating financial concepts and programmatic and development concepts in collaboration with the CCSDS program and development team. The ideal candidate would have a track record in grant and team management.
• Have experience with overseeing human resources, running the payroll, managing our HR system, and applying and developing our HR policy and procedures.
• Have experience in technology, office administration, operations, selecting and overseeing software installations, managing relationships with software vendors, and knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
• Knowledge of federal and state legislation applicable to NGOs, employment standards, and employer requirements with taxation, health coverage, etc.
• Have work experience in an international environment and with NGOs working in complex situations.
• Have the ability to meet deadlines while following through on multiple projects.
• Highly skilled in strategic planning, identifying opportunities for the enterprise, analyzing and providing solutions, and creative ideas.
• Multi-tasking and highly skilled at discovering and pursuing the positive aspects and opportunities of CCSDS, as well as the weaknesses and difficulties, and offering proposals for overcoming them.
• Ability to speak and write fluent English. The ability to speak and write in Arabic is preferable but not required.
• Be supportive of CCSDS’s mission and highly dedicated to contributing to our efforts to achieve it.
• Be eligible to work in the United States at the time of hiring.
• Knowledge of anti-corruption and transparency mechanisms and commitment to transparency in all functions.
• Be a friendly, flexible, and supportive team member with excellent written and oral communication and analytic skills.

Compensation

The annual salary will be commensurate with experience based on a 20-hour work week. The goal is for this to become a full-time role within six months of employment.

Employment may begin as soon as a candidate is hired. Ideally, the candidate will start in May 2024.