We are pleased to announce the following key positions for the UK National Council, to be based in London, UK:
Head of Finance
Reporting to the Executive Officer (EO) of the National Council, the Head of Finance is a senior member of the Jamati Institutions’ staff. He/she oversees the financial management functions across the National Council jurisdiction, its related Charities, ITREB, Jamatkhana and Ismaili Centre development and operations and other one-off projects, playing a leadership role through which, he/she assists the Constitutional bodies to fulfil their respective mandates.
He/she is responsible for managing a small team in overseeing the Jamati institutions’ financial resources, accounts, and policies. He/she plays an integral role in the formulation of the budgets and in tracking and reporting on fiscal performance. A key goal is for him/her to contribute to making the institutions best practice organisations.
Management and Data Officer
Reporting to the Executive Officer (EO) of the National Council, the Management and Data Officer is a senior member of the Jamati Institutions’ staff. He/she is responsible for actively supporting the EO in managerial aspects and oversees the reporting and data management functions of the National Council, where he/she assists the Constitutional bodies to fulfil their respective mandates as specified in the Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
He/she plays an integral role in the formulation of the Objectives, Strategies and Budgets along with the EO and Finance Officer and is responsible for tracking and reporting on performance in support of the institutions’ work to achieve their strategic objectives, in keeping with the guidance of the Imam-of-the- Time. The role also includes supporting special projects and coordination and management of primary data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Please see the Terms of Reference (TORs) below for more detailed information. Interested candidates must submit their CV and covering letter to [email protected] prior to the application deadline of February 10th, 2021. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
TERMS OF REFERENCE: Head of Finance
Role Description including duties and responsibilities:
Reporting to the Executive Officer (EO) of the National Council, the Head of Finance is a senior member of the Jamati Institutions’ staff. He/she oversees the financial management functions across the National Council jurisdiction, its related Charities, ITREB, Jamatkhana and Ismaili Centre development and operations and other one-off projects, playing a leadership role through which, he/she assists the Constitutional bodies and entities to fulfil their respective mandates.
He/she is responsible for managing a small team in overseeing the Jamati institutions’ financial resources, accounts and policies. He/she plays an integral role in the formulation of the budgets and in tracking and reporting on fiscal performance. A key goal is for him/her to contribute to making the institutions best practice organisations.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Working closely with the Leadership and in line with the strategies and objectives for the Jamati institutions and related entities, compile and analyse financial and non-financial data necessary for the preparation of the annual budgets.
- Monitor the implementation of the approved budgets; analyse and report proactively on financial and non-financial variances. Prepare and oversee the submissions for supplementary budget approvals.
- Produce financial performance reports [monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, ad-hoc], financial statements including cashflows, variance analyses, and forecasts. Ensure accuracy, quality and timeliness.
- Oversee and ensure the efficient functioning of accounting (record-keeping, receivables, payables, capital expenditure, registers for assets, insurance policies, leases) systems, procurement and payroll functions. Ensure that measures are in place and being adhered to regarding the confidentiality, safety and security of information. As needed, recommend enhancements.
- Anticipate, plan, design and implement a risk management and compliance measures to mitigate institutional financial and data management-related risks.
- Oversee the treasury and financial control functions, as well as the institutions’ bank accounts (monitoring bank balances, reviewing bank reconciliations, cashflow forecasting etc.) and petty cash.
- Ensure that adequate controls and systems are in place for Jamati fund-raising and for the oversight of JK development projects as well as other major projects.
- Ensure that regulatory and statutory reports and filings are prepared and complied with in a timely manner and in line with the relevant regulatory bodies.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures relating to financial management. Strive to attain best practice, and periodically review and update the policies and procedures in coordination with the Grants and Review Board (GRB).
- Ensure adherence to financial policies and procedures (i.e. financial discipline, accountability, cost management, cash management, record-keeping, transactions, procurement, asset and inventory management).
- Cooperate with the GRB on financial and management audits (and responding to findings and implementing recommendations), regulatory and statutory compliance, reporting and filings.
Work closely with the respective Council / ITREB members/Trustees for finance and data management.
- Work closely with and support TKN and other volunteers who will be responsible or part of special projects.
- Liaise with AKDN agencies and the Imamat system more broadly – as required – in matters relating to financial management, reporting, etc.
- Maintain relations with external providers and banks; manage / negotiate supplier contracts.
- Coach staff and volunteers to develop skills in effective financial and data management.
- Provide analytic and decision support to the Leadership.
- Undertake assignments and duties as directed by the Executive Officer.
TERMS OF REFERENCE: Management and Data Officer
Role Description including duties and responsibilities:
Reporting to the Executive Officer (EO) of the National Council, the Management and Data Officer is a senior member of the Jamati Institutions’ staff. He/she is responsible for actively supporting the EO in managerial aspects and oversees the reporting and data management functions of the National Council, where he/she assists the Constitutional bodies to fulfil their respective mandates as specified in the Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
He/she plays an integral role in the formulation of the Objectives, Strategies and Budgets along with the EO and Finance Officer and is responsible for tracking and reporting on performance in support of the institutions’ work to achieve their strategic objectives, in keeping with the guidance of the Imam-of-the- Time. The role also includes supporting special projects and coordination and management of primary data collection, analysis and reporting.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Working closely with the EO and in line with the strategies and objectives for the Jamati institutions, compile and analyse financial and non-financial data necessary for the preparation of the annual budgets.
- Monitor the implementation of the approved programmes; analyse and report proactively objectives and key results by portfolio and similarly support the newly setup Collaboration Units.
- Produce performance reports [monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, ad-hoc], the socio-economic roadmap, variance analyses, and forecasts. Ensure accuracy, quality and timeliness.
- Develop and manage processes and systems to collect, maintain, analyse, consolidate and report on non-financial, access-related and performance data relating to the socio-economic roadmap, performance dashboards and institutional programmes.
- Provide analytic and decision support to the President, Vice President, EO, National Council and Local Councils.
- Anticipate, plan, design and implement a risk management and compliance measures to mitigate institutional financial and data management-related (e.g., data protection) risks.
- Cooperate with the GRB on management audits (and responding to findings and implementing recommendations).
- Work closely with the respective Council members for data management and key result reporting.
- Liaise with AKDN agencies, the IIS and the Imamat system more broadly – as required – in matters relating to data management, reporting, etc.
- Coach staff, leaders and other volunteers to develop skills in data management and reporting.
- Undertake other relevant assignments, projects and duties as directed by the President / Vice President and EO of the National Council.
Person Specifications, including experience, competency/skills required:
- A degree in a relevant field is required.
- The candidate should have experience in project management or have other relevant experience. Experience in the field of database and/or information technology management would be an added advantage.
- He/she should have the skills and maturity to play a leadership role on the Jamati Institutions’ professional staff. The role requires strengths in strategic thinking as well as operational skills.
- Experience with the Jamati system, either as a volunteer or professional, is desirable.
The following attributes and skills are essential:
- Familiarity with and empathy for the Jamat, including cultural diversity within the Jamat.
- Deep sense of responsibility, sound judgement and discretion – including a demonstrated ability of handling and maintaining confidential information.
- Good inter-personal skills in dealing with senior leaders, volunteers and staff in the system.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully managing teams, staff, and/or projects.
- Capacity to be effective through collaboration and teamwork.
- Well-organised, self-motivated, able to multi-task, pays attention to detail, a “can do” attitude and a problem-solving mindset.
- A track record of delivering results to a high level of quality and accuracy, within deadlines. Sensitivity to budgetary prudence and an entrepreneurial approach in optimally using resources.
- Good analytic skills. Comfort in working with information, budgets, non-financial metrics and their interpretation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills. An ability to articulate reports and analyses that are concise and coherent.
- Comfort in working with relevant computing, information and communication technology.
- A willingness to travel from time to time within the jurisdiction is necessary, as is attendance at key institutional meetings. Fluency in English is essential.
