Finance Director

Context & Mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

The Finance Director is responsible for the MSF Switzerland finance department, including the accounting unit the operational finance unit, the controlling, and the grant management services.

The department is composed of approximatively 20 people in HQs located in several locations. The Finance Director supervises the activities of the accounting and finance teams in the field (>30 countries).

As leader of the finance department, the missions of the Finance Director are:

• Providing strong leadership to optimize the OCG’s financial management and strategic positioning,
• Implementing MSF Switzerland’s financial policy,
• Managing financial assets,
• Ensuring the effectiveness of the financial internal control system,
• Ensuring the production of high-quality accounting and financial information.

The Finance Director is empowered to bind the association (collective signature of two).

As a member of the Management Team, the Finance Director plays an active role in strategic thinking and decision-making.

As a member of the International Finance Director platform, the Finance Director represents OCG financial interest in the MSF movement.

Responsibilities

Member of the Management Team

• Contribute to defining and implementing the OCG’s strategic plan in all areas of the organization,
• Provide a strategic financial perspective, identify challenges, and propose effective solutions,
• Participate in Management Team planning and management activities.
• Play a key role in disseminating information within the organization on important developments. Stimulate reflection and debate on issues, at executive and associative level.

Finance department management

• Participate in drawing up annual and multi-year action plans in accounting and finance,
• Prepare annual budgets and monitor the department’s budget,
• Manage and empower Finance Department staff. Coordinate and supervise department managers, support for diversity, gender-responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Ensure the smooth flow of information within the department,
• Ensure the efficient management of the services under his/her responsibility.

Strategic Planning and Financial controlling

• As a member of the Management Team, define the Strategic Plans for the future years for OCG that includes the strategic orientations of the institution. Ensure the plan is implemented and monitored regularly,
• With the General Direction and the Operations Directors, co-define the Plan of Action process of the Organization to ensure financial resources are allocated according to the Strategic Plan,
• Identify major financial risks and propose mitigation measures appropriate to the circumstances,
• Coordinate and lead the budgets processes to ensure an efficient allocation and use of financial resources to sustain the organization over the long term and to ensure appropriate level of key ratios.
• Collaborate with the Fundraising department to define, monitor and review income forecasts and projections,
• Ensure that financial analyses are provided to help operational decision making,
• Ensure regular budget monitoring are done and shared to relevant shareholders.

MSF Switzerland’s financial strategy

• Propose, define, and implement MSF Switzerland’s financial strategy,
• Ensure that OCG’s financial systems are robust and support the organization’s current and future activities,
• Set up an administrative and financial organization to ensure that MSF Switzerland’s financial strategy objectives are met,
• Ensure that expenditure balances are respected (program and social mission ratios).

Production of quality accounting and financial information

• Ensure that the accounting department is properly organized, and that appropriate ERPs and reporting tools are in place,
• Prepare annual accounts in accordance with Swiss GAAP FER standards, ensuring compliance with applicable legal provisions and MSF’s own accounting rules,
• Ensure that the documents required for the consolidation of MSF’s international accounts are in order,
• Coordinate the audit of MSF Switzerland’s annual accounts; liaise with the external auditors,
• Present the budget, quarterly forecasts and annual accounts to various stakeholders/platforms including the Management Team, the Finance Commission, the Board of Directors, the OCG Congress and as well to the staff and to selected donors. Assist the Treasurer for the presentation of the annual accounts to the General Assembly,
• Ensure that the OCG’s budget is voted on transparently, and that issues are understood and discussed,
• Prepare financial analyses required for the OCG’s management and oversight; prepare short- and long-term financial projections,
• Ensure effective and accurate financial communication, both internally and externally, including monthly reporting to the International Office,
• Ensure that reporting to partner sections, major donors and public bodies complies with appropriate standards and requirements.

Management of MSF Switzerland financial assets including treasury

• Ensure treasury is appropriately managed to ensure continuation of operations in Switzerland and in the countries of operations including in countries under sanctions and restrictions.
• Ensure cashflow projections are available and accurate and perform monitoring to ensure cash availability,
• Manage financial investments and ensure it is done in accordance with the investment policy.

Compliance to financial laws

• Ensure financial activities are performed in compliance with related financial rules, laws, and regulations, including VAT, taxes, and anti-money-laundering laws.

Management of the financial internal control system (ICS)

• Ensure an appropriate accounting and financial internal control environment is in place.
• Collaborate with the internal control unit to improve to improve and adapt the ICS,
• Participate in institutional risk reviews to ensure effective risk management.

International relations and MSF movement

• Act as OCG representative on MSF’s international platforms dealing with financial issues,
• Be an active member of the Finance Directors Platform and support OCG’s interests,
• Actively participate in financial discussions within the international movement notably on all subjects about the resources sharing agreements,
• Take charge of or collaborate on international projects,
• Provide financial advice and support, and possibly become a board member of other sections or branch offices’ board of directors,
• Contribute to the movement’s governance.

Your Profile

Education

• Master’s degree in management, finance or equivalent (MBA or equivalent).
• 4 years of relevant work experience, in addition to the minimum required, may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.
• Certified Public Accountant an asset

Experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in financial management including:
  • 5 years’ experience as Head of a Finance or with similar level of responsibilities in a large organization

or

• At least 5 years’ experience as Director of Finance/Resources of a smaller organization
• Experience of non-profit organizations (including Board positions)
• Field experience is an asset
• MSF experience is an asset

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Excellent command of the budget cycle
• Good knowledge of IFRS, IPSAS or Swiss GAAP FER
• Good knowledge of ERP (D365, SAP…), business intelligence solutions (PowerBI)
• Proficiency in Excel / Word / Powerpoint
• Familiar with International or Swiss Auditing Standards

Languages

• Proficiency in English and French is required.
• German, Arabic, or Spanish an asset

Personal Abilities

• Excellent ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, gender-responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Strong leadership and team management skills: ability to build and develop and empower diverse and inclusive teams.
• Strategic thinking
• Initiative and sense of responsibility, integrity
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to analyse and summarize complex information.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills

Terms of Employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Mandated contract /3 years, renewable once, max 6 years)
• Working place: Geneva
• Ideal start date: July 29th, 2024
• Gross annual salary : from CHF 158’088.- to CHF 167’412.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
• Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member
• Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.