Global Director of Finance and Administration (GDFA)

TITLE: Global Director of Finance and Administration (GDFA)
LOCATION: This position is remote, with a preference for candidates based in New York or Washington, D.C.
REPORTS TO: Global Executive Director                 
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on March 11, 2025. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references.
RENUMERATION: $140,000-$180,000, commensurate with experience. The salary for candidates in other locations will be set using a UN Cost of Living calculator that endeavors to generate a local salary that offers the same standard of living reflected by the NYC salary.

ABOUT EQUALITY NOW                 
At Equality Now, we aspire to create a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law, and full enjoyment of their human rights.

Our mission is gender equality. And how we get there matters. Here are the values behind everything we do.

Founded in 1992, we are an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of all women and girls around the world. Our campaigns are centered on four program areas: Legal Equality, End Sexual Violence, End Harmful Practices, and End Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique needs of adolescent girls. 

We are truly global and we have a team of 70+ people located all around the world. We have team members in Benin, Beirut, Delhi, London, Geneva, San Jose, El Salvador, Argentina, Nairobi, Tbilisi, New York and Washington DC among others.

We offer a great experience for talented people who are passionate about equality. To work here, you’ll need to share our core values which are: integrity, tenaciousness, perseverance and inclusivity. For more information, visit equalitynow.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Global Director of Finance and Administration (GDFA) must be a mission-focused, seasoned, strategic, and process-minded leader with experience scaling an organization and leading a global finance and administration team. The GDFA reports to the Global Executive Director (GED) and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The GDFA oversees all business and administrative functions that support and inform Equality Now’s work. They will oversee financial planning, compliance, IT, administration and operations, risk management, liaise with the external investment manager and auditors. They will ensure the organization’s health and operational sustainability while adapting to the complexity of a global operation.

The GDFA manages a global staff and works closely with various departmental consultants. The GDFA must ensure that business and administrative functions fully support and enhance the operations of a fast-paced, dynamic and diverse environment. This will be accomplished by systemizing finance, accounting, human resources and IT systems and processes and fostering an overall culture of high-level performance and service, with improvement and innovation as top priorities. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following is a general outline of duties and responsibilities for this role. It is not an exhaustive list, and additional duties may be assigned or removed at the discretion of the Executive Director to meet organizational needs and priorities:
Finance and Accounting 

• Develop and execute a global financial strategy aligned with Equality Now’s mission and goals, and strategic plans supporting activities around the world.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, ensuring alignment across global and regional offices as well as restricted and unrestricted funding
• Leverage SageIntacct to monitor financial performance and ensure robust analysis and reporting for stakeholders, including the Board of Directors and donors. 
• Submit monthly reports and year end analysis to GED for review, including analysis of banking and investment accounts (spending and investment returns), cash flow and forecasts.
• Oversee all accounting, bookkeeping and staff.

Audit, Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with international, national, and donor-specific financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Lead the preparation of annual and grant financial audits, including coordinating with teams across New York, London, and Nairobi, and manage relationships with external auditors.
• Ensure all Equality Now’s financial and administrative activities align with donor requirements and organizational policies.
• Oversee the financial management of sub-grants and partnerships, ensuring compliance and alignment with Equality Now’s mission.

Strategy and Leadership

•  Act as a key advisor to the Global Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and Board on financial matters, providing insights and recommendations to support decision-making. 
• Lead the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring that financial planning, forecasting, and reporting processes are well-structured, aligned with strategic priorities, and adaptable to evolving needs. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, SLT, and Board of Directors to present financial reports, budgets, and risk assessments
• Partner with programmatic and advocacy teams to align financial strategies with operational needs such as grants management and cost recovery. 
• Provide key financial insights to advance decisions related to project profitability, compliance, and alternative funding mechanisms. 
• Proactively identify and mitigate financial risks to ensure the organization’s sustainable growth and resilience.

Administration and Operations

• Lead the administration team to optimize organizational policies, procedures, and systems, ensuring operational excellence across global offices with Global Head of People and Culture.
• Oversee travel management using Egencia, ensuring efficient and cost-effective support for global teams.
• Manage contracts and agreements with external vendors and partners, safeguarding organizational interests.
• Ensure due diligence through maintenance of various insurance coverages. 

Team Leadership and Development

• Supervise and mentor finance and administrative staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Build capacity within regional offices to ensure consistent financial and administrative practices across the organization.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team and across all operational processes.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Professional Experience and Knowledge

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit financial management, including a minimum of 5 years as a member of a senior leadership team.
• Strong overall knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, audit, tax, strategic planning, internal control structures, risk management, and data analytics within an international non-profit funded by multiple donor sources.
• Knowledge of diverse funding streams and experience with complex revenue structures, including grants and contracts, and non-USG funding, including support from other governments, foundations, corporations, and private donors.
• Experience with long-range financial planning and budgeting in the context of a diversified donor base.
• Strong technology optimization and leadership skills.
• Change management and organizational development acumen.
• Project management sponsorship skills.
•  Ability to analyze complex financial matters and present findings/recommendations to people with varied degrees of financial and compliance knowledge.
• Prior experience with strategic planning, contract pricing and negotiations, and capital management in nonprofit environments
• Ability to have a broad understanding of Equality Now’s business strategy and project portfolio and effectively communicate this information with all relevant stakeholders.
• Skilled in developing global Finance and Administration teams that are service-oriented, model strong teamwork, and are effective at collaborative problem resolution

Personal Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to advancing the mission and vision of Equality Now, with a strong dedication to fostering inclusivity and equality in all aspects of work.
• Demonstrates integrity, ethical behavior, and transparency in all actions, ensuring equal respect and fairness in interactions with all colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to assess diverse strategic options, ensuring equitable consideration of all perspectives and resources.
• A trusted and effective leader, working collaboratively with the Executive Director, SLT, Board, and staff, fostering an environment of mutual respect and equal participation across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrates executive presence, ensuring clear communication and the equitable sharing of important financial and organizational information with all partners, from staff to stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to create empowered, diverse teams, foster inclusive collaboration, and drive performance while promoting a culture of equality and respect.
• Proven ability to manage multiple objectives and tasks with a focus on equity, while adapting to change and maintaining a calm, thoughtful approach that prioritizes inclusivity and fairness.
• High level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with a focus on fostering a workplace culture where all voices are valued and heard.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, coupled with an active listening approach and a commitment to equity in addressing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and navigating complex systems.
• Flexible and adaptable mindset, with the ability to make decisions that ensure fairness and equality, even under tight timelines or resource constraints.
• Genuine passion for and commitment to Equality Now’s mission. Understanding of the context and issues of women’s rights and gender equality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with legal and advocacy-focused organizations or those advancing gender equality and human rights.
• Familiarity with financial software systems and data analytics tools.
• Master’s degree in finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Proficiency in using financial and operational systems such as SageIntacct, TriNet/Zenefits, JazzHR, Egencia, and Lattice to drive efficiency and transparency.
• Current membership in a professional accounting or financial body is preferred.

Education and Certifications:

• A recognized accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent professional experience and a degree in Business, Accounting, or related field. MBA preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
At Equality Now, we offer a competitive salary aligned with global pay parity principles. Compensation is determined based on the candidate’s experience, professional background, location, and the UN Cost of Living index, which adjusts salaries to maintain an equitable standard of living across regions. The range below reflects the salary for this position in New York, though final compensation may vary based on cost-of-living adjustments and exchange rate fluctuations at the time of hire. The final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, and qualifications/certifications.

Other Benefits and Considerations
We are committed to fair and transparent pay practices across all locations. In addition to salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, retirement contributions, and paid leave, tailored to the candidate’s location. 
 

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