Position: Finance and Operations Manager (remote)

Duration: 12-month contract (can be freelance)

Location: Fully Remote with some in person meetings and travel to Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Salary: £35,000

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Finance and Operations Manager to join this dynamic and growing organisation.

About us:

The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organization which empowers vulnerable women and girls so that they are safe, have opportunities to learn, the tools to become financially independent and the freedom to lead change. We provide safe social spaces inside refugee camps and implement projects to help them rebuild their lives and earn a living. We run four women’s centers for the IDP, refugee and host community in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Our programs are based around pillars from the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals:

•       Health & Safety

•       Education & Livelihoods

•       Peace building & Human Rights

Our centers implement much-needed livelihood training, language courses, computer training, mental health support, fitness and health training, and awareness sessions and advocacy on women's rights and gender-based violence. 

We aim to provide the foundation for women to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities, listening to local needs and employing local women to implement the programs. Our fundamental belief is that women and girls are powerful drivers of change, and we provide the support they need to reach their full potential and rebuild their futures.

This is an exciting time to join our growing organisation as Finance and Operations Manager as we approach our next phase of growth.

About the Role:

This is an exciting role with plenty of opportunities for leadership and for your own personal and professional development. As Finance and Operations Manager, you will work closely with the CEO, the small UK team and larger in-country team as well as external providers. You will have the finance and operations skills and experience to offer strategic support at a leadership level, strengthen our financial and charity governance, improve our internal operations, processes and systems, and lead on human resources. This role will also work closely with the board of trustees to support effective governance and financial management.

This is a key role in a small, busy team that will take a lead in ensuring the smooth running of all the organisation’s operations and finances, and that systems and processes are in place to provide excellent service and processes.

The role is fully remote, with travel approx. once a month to London and elsewhere in the UK, to attend meetings and work with the wider team. There may also be some oversea travels (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) to support local teams and ensure processes are adhered to.

About You:

We are looking for a Finance and Operations Manager with excellent communication skills with experience in managing excellent relationships with colleagues, contractors, and suppliers. You will have a highly developed ability to work on your own initiative, balancing autonomy with alignment to the organisation’s objectives, mission, and responsibility.

You will also have strong business and financial acumen with the ability to analyse and interpret finances and data to support income generation. 

Responsibilities include:

•       Financial planning, management, and reporting

•       Governance

•       Operations

•       People strategy and support

•      IT strategy and provision

Essential skills and experience:

Essential:

•       CCAB (or equivalent) fully qualified accountant, or QBE/PQ with the essential criteria

•       Experience of producing financial (including year-end statutory returns) & management account

•       Experience of fund accounting and restricted fund reporting

•       Experience of internal controls and audit

•       Charity SORP experience

•      Experience with QuickBooks and accounting software

Desirable:

•       A working knowledge of HR including employment law

•      Experience of working with a senior leadership team of a charity including trustees

Key skills:

•       Ability to develop financial plans, quotes, and proposals for programmes, reports and fundraising.

•       Highly numerate and competent with preparing budgets; management accounts and cashflow forecasts, and able to effectively monitor and record income and expenditure.

•       A relevant Accountancy and/or Project Management qualification or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means.

•       Highly competent in a range of Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and adept at, or able to learn quickly cloud-based tools.  

•      Understanding of effective utilisation of digital platforms and ability to ensure efficient use of platforms that achieve the organisation’s mission and best serve members and wider stakeholders.

•       Experience of working across a range of functions and disciplines.

•       Fully qualified accountant with at least 2-5 years’ experience in a senior role.

•       Experience of leading financial and management accounts.

•       Experience and knowledge of using financial systems (QuickBooks) to record and report on financial activities and provide information and projections.

•       Knowledge of the financial and regulatory requirements of the charity sector.

•       Strong experience in all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, reporting, cash flow, restricted fund accounting, internal controls and audit.

•       Experience of producing charity statutory accounts in compliance with the charity SORP.

•       Experience of managing an external audit process.

•       Working knowledge of HR and employment law issues.

•       Experience of establishing clear, simple HR frameworks and procedures.

•       Experience of creating policies operations and processes to support high performing and happy teams.

•       Knowledge and experience of charity governance, including working with directly with and reporting to charity trustee boards.

•       Knowledge and experience of statutory and legal requirements, including statutory reporting relating to a charitable organisation.

•       Experience of IT services and supporting the adoption of new technologies.

•       Experience of managing and liaising with a range of external service providers.

•       Oversight and management of operations including ensuring an excellent service for members working closely with the CEO, the Team, and external partners.

•       Management of the organisation’s finances.

•       Oversight of HR, and all office systems and processes, ensuring that the workplace is a kind, purposeful and efficient place to work.

•       Plan and advise on logistical delivery and scheduling of activities and programmes with total commitment to excellent member support.

•       Oversee the delivery of projects that achieve business objectives.

•       Ensure that we have the appropriate digital and tech platforms to deliver activity (e.g. online events, consultancy, training, and communities of practice) and that the team are confident and skilled in utilising them.

•       Day to day responsibility for the financial tracking of income and expenditure, monthly reconciliation with accounts etc.

•       Ensure up to date data is reported and recorded.

•      Produce financial management reports including monthly management accounts and cashflow forecasts at agreed timeframes for CEO and Board.

•      Management and financial support to local teams through training and processes, procedures.

How to apply:

·       Please email your CV and cover letter to taban@thelotusflower.org, using “Finance and Operations Manager“ as the subject line.