CHIEF OF STAFF, FINANCE

Location: Delhi, India

About IDinsight

We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans various sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in various rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people’s age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Our diverse, growing team of roughly 200 outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries worldwide.  Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.  

About the role

 
Reporting to the CFO, the Chief of Staff, Finance will provide strategic inputs for and practical execution of the Finance OKR’s, develop and support aligned operational plans to improve the organization's effectiveness while building relationships within the Finance Leadership Team. You will be the trusted strategic advisor and lead the processes by which the Finance function sets priorities, establishes important outcomes and measures the success for the function each fiscal year. You will provide communications and continuity between the regional and functional teams, determine best use of the department's resources to achieve the annual priorities and goals, and drive programs such as finance roadmap,change management initiatives, process improvements and leadership workshops.

The Chief of Staff will also provide analytical contributions to the Finance, Planning and Analysis (FPnA) function and support preparation of Board and Finance committee material. The CoS will work with all functional and regional teams to support organizational linkages and provide targeted support to achieve Finance OKRs.

This recruitment is for candidates at the manager or senior manager level. The decision of whether the applicant is better suited for manager/ senior manager role will be made during the interviews based on the depth and breadth of relevant experience of the candidate.

Responsibilities 

The Chief of Staff, Finance will be responsible for the following: 

• Implement strategic initiatives including working with the Executive team on Pricing strategy, benchmarking our pricing against the markets across regions and functions, identifying cost optimisation initiatives, improve internal management reporting and drive greater understanding of IDinsight financial model among the regional and functional teams through training and workshops among leadership.
• Build Financial MIS (Management Information System) and support the CFO to promote operational excellence as a culture within the finance team. Design and build Financial MIS reports to ensure regular tracking of performance on internal benchmarks, raise flags for non-compliance/regulatory processes, identify gaps in existing systems and help build a finance function for scale.
• Lead Budget and OKR monitoring being a representative of the finance team for internal coordination with regional and functional teams giving inputs to the budget process. Being a part of management and Exec group meetings to help coordinate actions for OKR and the budgeting process will be an excellent opportunity for learning and contributing towards organizational strategy and sustainability.
• Support FPnA team efforts with IIT (Impact improvement team) in improving project budget design and management process. The role will require co-ordinating inputs from regional teams on budgeting process and improvements that can be implemented to reduce project overruns and also improve budgeting experience for new project managers. It will also involve working closely with the FPnA and IIT team to analyze historical data on project budgets and use evidence to guide improved budgeting process for various service offerings at IDInsight. 
• Lead change management efforts for Unit4 alongside the Systems lead to drive greater adoption. Undertake a comprehensive regional review of challenges for Project Management using Unit4, develop a clear action plan to address these challenges alongside the Systems team.
• Support internal policy revisions to existing policies and process on procurement, payment and everything finance co-ordinating input from key contributors across finance, legal, regional and functional teams, as well as communication and training on these policies, to better support our colleagues across the organization. 
• Partner with a range of stakeholders across the org to ensure the CFO/CEO is well prepared for all internal and external meetings / interactions, including supporting with preparation of key presentations 
• Serve as a sounding board for the CFO on new ideas and cost initiatives across departments
• Interface between Regional and functional leads and the CFO to drive successful day-to-day operations
• Hold the pen on all financial Collaterals - Presentation decks, Financial Projections, Internal communications, OKR reporting etc.

Key skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of working experience preferably in a finance or people management role 
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in business administration or similar field
• Experience in data analysis and budget management
• Strong project management skills, with an ability to easily switch between high-level considerations and nuts and bolts of implementation
• Expertly develop and execute tactical assignments, including producing high-quality deliverables independently
• Adept at spreadsheet modeling, financial projections 
• Experience of working in and RP environment
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities, with an ability to think through complex questions conscientiously and judiciously
• Demonstrated track record as a self-starter and leader, including comfort with ambiguity and dynamic environments and workstreams
• Excellent soft skills and communication skills across all mediums (written communications, public speaking, teamwork and upward management). 
• Solutions-oriented, with an ability to translate strategic ideas to action plans working across multiple work-streams in parallel
• Strong desire for professional growth and development, with a track record of openness to give and receive feedback;
• People management experience preferred; this role requires change management skills to improve finance team’s performance
• High level of independence and sharp attention to detail
• Strong ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality in complex situations; to handle sensitive information, data, and issues with mature and discreet professionalism
• Experience fostering collaboration and collective decision-making across IDinsight teams, including for example with regional executive teams and functional representatives

Why being CoS is a great opportunity!

IDinsight is at the cusp of transformational change with increased focus on process and execution efficiencies to drive financial sustainability. The Chief of Staff, finance will play a crucial role in organizational success by translating goals into initiatives and leading critical projects. They will be responsible for providing actionable insights and ensuring smooth information flow. This will be an Individual contributor role but will routinely be part of high-stakes internal and external conversations, which will hone their skills in communication, creativity in finding solutions, and change management, and allow them to work with senior leaders and other Chiefs of staff across IDinsight. The CoS, finance will also be challenged to develop new processes and systems and implement special projects— opportunities that will push their growth in new contexts, and provide an opportunity to experience and shape how all processes and teams across the organization work together.  The CoS will report to the CFO, who will be committed to supporting their professional growth and development.  The CoS will also work frequently with the CEO, as well as with Management Group members, and other CoS teammates across the organization.

Professional development

Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy and have been noted highlights of teammates’ experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, support from talented peers, and considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are provided "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen various skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and a formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

Nuts & bolts

Location

You will be reporting to the main office of IDinsight based in New Delhi, India, Working out of the office is a necessity to address day-day activities and to connect with employees. However, we offer a hybrid work policy where you can work from home on some days as well. What is important is that we are getting all aspects of the work done. A fully remote or work from home option is not feasible for this role. 

Start date

The start date of this position is 1 October 2024, with preference for candidates that can start immediately.

Work authorization

For this role, we are only considering candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization in India. 

Compensation

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for and competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer, including comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work from home stipends; a professional development budget; and more.

Please note, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading private sector organizations.

How to apply

Please click the "Apply for this job online" button at the top right. We will close applications for this role by 1 September 2024. The application asks various questions for us to get to know you and requires a CV and cover letter. 

Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience and details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note that headshot photographs, parental information, birth dates, marital status, and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

More information, including details on IDinsight’s hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any queries should be directed to careers@IDinsight.org. 

IDinsight’s commitment to reducing power asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work. 

We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team:

1. IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and clients we serve.
2. IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
3. Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
4. IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a diverse and supportive workplace.