Finance Director

Confidential Job • Full-time • Amman, JO • 1d ago

"1. Purpose of the Position:

Reporting to the CEO, the Finance Director provides strategic financial leadership for the organisation and its relevant entities, ensuring that financial resources, systems and controls enable the effective delivery of the organisation's strategy. The role is responsible for financial sustainability, planning, stewardship, governance, risk management, compliance, grant and programme finance, financial systems, and high-quality decision support to the CEO, Senior Management Team and Board.

The Finance Director leads the Finance Department and works across all departments to ensure strong financial accountability, value for money, timely and reliable financial information, donor and statutory compliance, and a culture of responsible resource management. The role also contributes to strengthening the financial management capacity of local partners and organisational entities in line with the organisation's commitment to localisation, system strengthening and sustainable organisational effectiveness.

2. Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership and Sustainability

Translate the organisation's strategy into multi-year financial plans, annual budgets, forecasts and financial scenarios. Advise the CEO, SMT and Board on financial performance, sustainability, affordability, trade-offs and strategic financial choices. Lead analysis of restricted and unrestricted income, cost recovery, reserves, liquidity, funding concentration and organisational financial sustainability. Develop financial scenarios and recommendations to support growth, contraction, new investments, programme expansion and changing funding conditions. Ensure the organisational operating model and resource allocation remain aligned with strategic priorities and available resources. Support the development of sustainable revenue and funding models while maintaining appropriate financial controls and risk parameters.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Performance

Lead the annual organisational budgeting process and ensure departmental and programme budgets are aligned with strategic and operational priorities. Maintain rolling forecasts and cash-flow projections and identify emerging financial pressures or opportunities early. Provide regular budget-versus-actual analysis, forecasts, dashboards and management information to budget holders, SMT, CEO and Board. Work with Directors and budget holders to strengthen financial ownership, forecasting accuracy and corrective action. Ensure timely completion of monthly and annual accounts, reconciliations and financial statements.

Financial Governance, Risk and Compliance

Maintain and continuously improve the organisation's financial policies, procedures, delegated authorities and internal control framework. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, taxation, social security requirements, accounting standards, donor requirements and organisational policies. Lead financial risk identification and mitigation, including liquidity, fraud, foreign exchange, banking, partner, procurement and grant-related risks. Maintain appropriate fraud prevention, detection, reporting and response controls in coordination with the CEO and relevant functions. Maintain organisational readiness for internal and external audits, facilitate audit processes, respond to findings and ensure timely implementation of agreed actions. Escalate significant financial, compliance or control risks promptly to the CEO and, where appropriate, the Board. D. Grant, Programme and Donor Financial Management

Grant, Programme and Donor Financial Management

Provide financial leadership throughout the full grant cycle: proposal development, budgeting, contracting, implementation, reporting, amendment and close-out. Ensure proposal budgets are realistic, competitive, fully costed and compliant with donor requirements, including appropriate recovery of direct and indirect costs. Ensure timely, accurate and complete donor financial reports and supporting documentation. Monitor grant burn rates, co-financing obligations, exchange-rate exposure, cost recovery and financial performance, and flag risks early. Work closely with Programmes, Partnerships/Fundraising and other departments to ensure financial considerations inform programme design and donor negotiations. Provide guidance and training to staff on donor financial requirements and sound grant management.

Treasury, Accounting and Financial Operations

Oversee all financial transactions, bank accounts, petty cash, credit cards, ledgers, reconciliations, creditors and debtors for the organisation and its relevant entities. Ensure effective cash and treasury management, maintaining adequate liquidity while maximising responsible use of available funds. Oversee payroll-related financial processes, statutory deductions, tax compliance and financial aspects of staff benefits. Ensure appropriate authorisation, segregation of duties, documentation and record retention for financial transactions. Maintain accurate fixed-asset records, depreciation schedules and planned replacement information.

Procurement, Contracting and Value for Money

Provide financial oversight and guidance for procurement and contracting processes in coordination with relevant departments. Support maintenance of appropriate supplier information and financial due diligence processes. Promote value for money through cost analysis, competitive procurement, responsible resource use and identification of efficiency opportunities. Review significant financial and commercial commitments within delegated authority and advise the CEO on material commitments and risks. Provide financial oversight of significant procurement and contractual commitments, without assuming responsibility for the procurement function. Ensure significant financial commitments are affordable, appropriately budgeted, authorised and compliant with the organisation's financial policies and delegated authorities. Provide independent financial analysis and challenge on material commitments, pricing, financial exposure and value for money. Advise the CEO and SMT on the financial implications, risks and affordability of significant commercial and contractual commitments. Ensure appropriate financial controls are applied before financial commitments are approved.

Financial Systems, Data and Digital Transformation

Lead the effective use, development and continuous improvement of the organisation's ERP and financial management systems. Drive appropriate automation and digitalisation of financial processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls and timely reporting. Ensure financial data quality, integrity, security and accessibility for authorised decision-makers. Develop clear financial dashboards and analytical tools that turn financial data into actionable management information.

Partner Financial Management, Localisation and System Strengthening

Lead or support financial due diligence of local partners and other recipients of organisational funds using proportionate, risk-based approaches. Strengthen partner financial management capacity through assessment, coaching, guidance and practical capacity-development support. Ensure partner financial monitoring balances accountability and compliance with the organisation's commitment to localisation and locally led delivery. Support locally registered entities, offices and partners to strengthen financial systems, controls and sustainability.

Finance Team Leadership and Organisational Contribution

Lead, coach and develop the Finance team, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations, delegation and accountability. Build succession and professional development within the Finance Department and reduce dependency on individual staff members. Represent Finance as an active member of SMT, contributing beyond the finance portfolio to organisational strategy, risk, culture and performance. Build financial literacy across the organisation by providing practical guidance and training to budget holders and relevant staff. Promote constructive cross-departmental relationships and a culture in which Finance is both a strong control function and an effective strategic partner. Undertake other responsibilities reasonably assigned by the CEO consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role.

Key Results Areas:

Strategic Financial Planning and Sustainability - multi-year financial plans, annual budgets and scenarios are aligned with the organisation's strategy and support organisational sustainability. Financial Performance and Decision Support - CEO, SMT and Board receive timely, accurate and decision-useful financial analysis, forecasts and dashboards. Financial Governance, Risk and Compliance - effective controls are maintained; material risks are identified early; statutory, donor and organisational requirements are met. Grant and Programme Financial Management - proposal budgets, grant monitoring, donor reporting and grant close-out are timely, accurate and compliant. Organisational Efficiency and Value for Money - resources are used responsibly and opportunities for efficiency, cost control and improved cost recovery are actively pursued. Systems, Data and Digital Transformation - financial systems and processes provide reliable data, efficient workflows and strong controls. Partner Financial Management and Localisation - partner due diligence and capacity strengthening support accountable and sustainable locally led delivery. Finance Team Leadership and Succession - the Finance Department demonstrates strong performance, accountability, delegation, learning and succession readiness. Audit and Assurance - statutory and donor audits are completed effectively and agreed recommendations are addressed in a timely manner.
Organisational Values:

Integrity: Transparency, accountability, sound stewardship and ethical conduct in all decisions and actions. Resilience: Adaptability, perseverance, responsible risk management and teamwork through changing conditions. Impact: Using resources strategically to achieve measurable and meaningful results. Innovation: Continuous improvement, intelligent use of technology and context-based solutions.
Education, Qualifications, Competences, Skills Required:

Essential:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field. At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting and financial management, including significant senior leadership responsibility. At least five years of relevant professional experience in the NGO/international development sector, including international or multi-country financial management exposure. Demonstrated experience in strategic financial planning, organisational budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and financial sustainability analysis. Strong experience with institutional donor financial management, grant budgeting, reporting, compliance and audits. Strong knowledge of financial controls, risk management, statutory compliance and audit processes. Demonstrated experience leading and developing finance teams and working effectively as part of senior management. Strong experience with ERP/financial management systems and their implementation, development or optimisation. Ability to translate complex financial information into clear analysis and recommendations for non-finance leaders and governance bodies. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, judgement and decision-support skills. Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. Strong understanding of the international development and peacebuilding operating environment and commitment to the organisation's mission and values.

Preferred:

Postgraduate degree and/or recognised professional finance/accounting qualification such as CMA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent. Experience in multi-entity or international non-profit financial management, including US non-profit structures. Experience with partner financial due diligence and capacity strengthening in locally led programmes. Experience leading finance digitalisation, ERP optimisation, automation and management dashboards. Experience advising Boards, Finance/Audit Committees or equivalent governance bodies. Experience with contracts, procurement and non-profit legal or regulatory structures.

Core Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinking and financial judgement Financial stewardship and accountability Risk awareness and proactive problem-solving Decision support and business partnering People leadership, coaching and delegation Collaboration and constructive challenge Change leadership and continuous improvement Data-driven analysis and clear communication Integrity, discretion and professional independence
Authority and Representation

The Finance Director is authorised to represent the organisation in financial discussions with auditors, banks, donors/partners, suppliers, contractors and relevant authorities, and to approve or commit financial transactions within the delegated authority limits established by the Board, President and/or CEO. Material commitments, exceptions and risks must be escalated in accordance with the organisation's approved delegation and governance framework.