International Treasurer

Three-year mandate, renewable once, half-time

Starting first quarter of 2023

Deadline to apply: 24 November 2022

MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The International Treasurer is a non-voting member of the MSF International Board. The International Board governs the Association with specific powers set out in the International Statutes and as delegated by the International General Assembly (IGA).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Treasurer are defined by reference to:

1. The MSF International’s statutes and internal rules;
2. The terms of reference of the Finance and Audit Standing Committee (FASC), of which the Treasurer is the chairperson or co-chairperson;
3. Other matters not covered above but implicit in the role.

1. MSF International Statutes and internal rules

Governance provisions concerning the Treasurer of the IB are to be found in the Statutes of Médecins Sans Frontières International and in the Internal Rules.

The responsibilities mentioned in the statutes and internal rules can be summarized as follows:

• With the assistance of the Secretary General, prepare the annual financial statements of the Association (i.e. MSF International (MSFI)) in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations.
• With the assistance of the Secretary General, prepare the International Combined Accounts (ICA) of the movement.
• With the assistance of the Secretary General, submit the MSFI financial statements and the movement’s international combined accounts, plus the MSFI budget of the next year, to the IB.
• Submit the MSFI accounts and ICA to the IGA.

The statutes and internal rules focus on the role of the Treasurer regarding the financial statements. However, this does not give the full picture of the Treasurer’s responsibilities.

2. Finance & Audit Standing Committee (FASC)

The Treasurer’s responsibilities are set out in more detail in the terms of reference of the FASC. The main areas of responsibility mentioned in that document are:

• Financial Reporting & Analysis for the International Board
• Financial Risk Management and Financial Controls
• External Audit of the MSFI financial statements and the International Combined Accounts
• Financial Management
• Internal Audit

Financial reporting and analysis encompass not only the annual financial statements mentioned in the statutes but also the annual Treasurer’s report presented to the IGA. Financial analysis can range from review of fundraising forecasts and estimates to assessments of viability of growth plans presented in the budgeting cycle.

Risk management and internal controls are broad topics. They are primarily an executive responsibility but the associative, as ultimate bearer of responsibility, has a critical oversight role.

3. Other matters implicit in the role of Treasurer

Additional responsibilities of the Treasurer not mentioned above include:

• Providing specialist input to the IB on the financial reporting and internal control implications and impact of matters raised at the IB;
• Reviewing the financial part of the Executive’s annual work plan that is submitted to the IB for approval;
• As necessary and requested by the IB, be prepared to diligence matters on its behalf;
• Periodically perform a self-reflection on the construction and working effectiveness of the FASC.

Profile requirements

• Commitment to the aims and values of Médecins Sans Frontières
• Experience of preparing, reviewing, or auditing financial statements
• Strategic financial budgeting, planning and management experience
• Familiarity with financial risk assessment and management
• Prior experience communicating with partner level auditors is important
• Ability to communicate financial matters to a non-financial audience
• Prior people and program management experience is desirable
• Ability to use different styles in different situations and to give meaning and context to decisions
• Leading change and obtaining people’s support
• Cultivating relations of respect and confidence with relevant stakeholders

Location / Term / Assessment / Compensation Most of the work can be done remotely. There is no need to be based in an MSF office except for face-to-face meetings. Meetings are mostly by video conference (VC) and the main ones are listed below:

• the IGA, usually three days, once a year
• IB meetings, around 8 per year, with 4 face-to-face two-day meetings
• meetings of the FASC, usually by VC, 4 to 6 times a year
• meetings with the international financial management team based in Geneva, as and when required
• meetings with the auditors (of MSFI and of the ICA) by VC; and
• occasional attendance (both to learn and to demonstrate the IB’s interest) at Finance Directors platform meetings

The International Treasurer will serve for an initial term of 3 years and may be re-appointed for a second 3-year term. [1]

The International Treasurer receives a compensation for the performance of their mandate equivalent to 50% work time.

The compensation is based on the average of the highest salary in each Operational Centre (entry level) and partially indexed according to their residence.

[1] This is an elaboration/adaption from the MSF Internal Rules clause which states “The term of office of the Vice-President and the Treasurer is three years commencing on the date of their election to the office. They may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.*

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.