Open January 15th, 2013
Application deadline: February 14th, 2013

Finance Director (full-time)

Inter Pares is a Canadian not-for-profit organization and registered charity based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

We strengthen social movements by connecting people and struggles at home and abroad. Guided by feminist principles of equality and solidarity, we are a small team, raising money, offering organizational support, and engaging the public and decision-makers to take steps towards a more just world.

Inter Pares raises money for our own work and the action of our counterparts. In 2012, Inter Pares contributed more than $4.9 million in financial support to our counterparts in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Canada. Our relationship with each counterpart is unique, adapted to the needs of each organization and our work together.

The position of finance director

We are looking for a finance director to work collaboratively with the whole staff, to coordinate and implement our financial systems. The finance director also oversees the work of a part-time bookkeeper, who is responsible for financial tasks such as cheque writing, deposits, wire transfers and reconciliation of banks and of expense accounts.

As Inter Pares uses a cooperative, non-hierarchical management structure, the finance director will also play an equal role in the co-management of the organization, including its fundraising and administrative well-being and its political and strategic direction.

The finance director

• provides strategic direction and leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of Inter Pares’ financial systems and procedures;
• is an experienced communicator, able to present financial reports and explain financial and accounting concepts;
• prepares budgets and long-term financial plans in a manner consistent with the organization’s policy and processes and in accordance with well-recognized, high-quality accounting standards;
• prepares financial reports to our main funder, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA);
• is familiar with the obligations Inter Pares has as a charitable institution;
• is familiar with audits conducted by government departments such as CIDA and the Canada Revenue Agency;
• has oversight of the organization’s long- and short-term investments, in consultation with the Executive Director and the Board Treasurer;
• as a key member of the human resources committee, researches and provides information concerning labour and human resource issues to the management team;
• is a member of the foundations committee and takes part in strategizing the plans for raising funds from foundations;
• like all members of staff, is part of the fundraising team, and contributes to various organizational committees.

We believe that the finances are an entry point to understanding our program and the finance director must be able to present clear explanations on finances to both the Board and Staff. In addition the finance director needs a solid understanding of the political environment in which NGOs presently work.

The successful candidate must be available and willing to travel in Canada and internationally for up to one month a year, in some years (a modest contribution towards childcare expenses may be available).

Qualifications

• A professional designation (Chartered Accountant, Certified General Account, Certified Management Accountant) is preferred but equivalent work experience will be considered;
• Between three to five years of experience in financial services management at a senior level, preferably in a non-profit environment;
• Proven commitment to social justice and feminist principles;
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to diversity and anti-oppression values;
• Creativity, flexibility and resourcefulness;
• Good interpersonal skills and experience with consensus decision-making and group process;
• Strategic thinking and strong organizational, analytical, and financial management skills;
• Ability to work flexible and irregular hours on occasion;
• Excellent computer skills using high-end accounting software (Financial Edge from Blackbaud preferred), spreadsheets, word processing and databases;
• Strong familiarity with international development.

Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• The capacity to work in French a strong asset

Salary and benefits
Inter Pares staff form a cooperative management team of women and men working on the principle of parity. All members of staff receive the same annual salary of $52,977 with a generous benefits package that includes extended health coverage, retirement planning benefits, a dependants’ allowance (if applicable), and four weeks of vacation.

Start date: latest May 1, 2013, to be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Application process

Inter Pares seeks to create a working environment where employees of diverse identities flourish and encourages applications from people of all sexual and gender orientations, those who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous people and/or differently abled people. We invite candidates to share how they personally identify in their application.

Please email a single document (PDF format please) containing a résumé and cover letter highlighting your experience and motivation to the selection committee at info@interpares.ca with the subject line “Finance Director.”

Or by mail (two copies) to:
Finance Director Selection Committee
Inter Pares
221 Laurier Ave. East
Ottawa, ON, K1N 6P1

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 14th, 5pm.

Interviews will take place in Ottawa February 25, 26 and March 4 2013, and the successful candidate will be asked for further interviews the week of March 11-15.

We thank all applicants in advance; however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. For more information on Inter Pares, please explore our website.

Click here for the PDF job posting.