The Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education and Physical Activity is looking for a Chief Finance and Operations Officer to be part of their senior management team. Deadline: 10 April.
  • Duration of contract: until March 2025 (renewable)
  • Rate of working: full time position
  • Start of the contract: 01.06.2022 (negotiable)
  • Place of work: Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Application Deadline (Midnight CET): 31.03.2022

In July 2021, it was announced that the first-ever Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education and Physical Activity was being established in the Olympic Capital Lausanne, Switzerland. In collaboration with UNESCO, the Swiss Confederation appointed the City of Lausanne, the Canton of Vaud, and the University of Lausanne (UNIL) to ensure the necessary conditions for its creation. Today, the three entities, which consequently united and co-founded an association, are putting in place the foundations to render the Global Observatory operational, and the appointment of a leadership marks a crucial step towards that goal.

The Global Observatory is a direct result stemming from the Kazan Action Plan adopted in 2017 by the International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS) of UNESCO. It aims to overcome global and systemic inequalities to achieve gender equality and empower girls and women in all their diversity in and through sport.

The position

 

The Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) will be a part of the senior management team and a strategic thought-partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the field of finance, accounting and fundraising. The successful candidate will be a proactive and participative manager and will lead and manage the following areas: finance, business planning, budgeting and operations.

The CFOO will play a critical role in partnering with the CEO in strategic decision making, developing new funding streams and operations as the Global Observatory continues to prepare for its launch. This is a great opportunity for a finance and operations leader with expertise in fundraising to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a new global organisation that aims to promote gender equality in sport and through sport and eventually become a key actor in international sport. The CFOO will report to the CEO.

Responsibilities

 

Financial Management and resource mobilization

  • Lead the Financial function of the organisation with strong accountability and full transparency
  • Develop a finance model and direct all strategic finance activities, including financial planning, forecasting and budgeting in conjunction with the CEO. This should include reviewing and monitoring progress or changes and communicating them to the CEO as well as the Board when necessary.
  • Analyse and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner
  • Identify a pipeline of new and innovative methods of fundraising and income generation in consultation with the CEO and the Communications consultant as the Global Observatory initiates effective ways of working towards its strategic vision
  • Develop the Global Observatory’s fundraising strategies and development goals in collaboration with the CEO
  • Develop and manage the organisation’s fundraising efforts including efficient and effective management of its grants for example developing and writing proposals, validating progress reports and ensuring the timely implementation and completion of project/program activities
  • Seek and explore resource mobilization opportunities for extra-budgetary resources for relevant programmatic and thematic areas including the engaging of potential donors with projects plans which could attract support in conjunction with the CEO

  • Initiate all necessary business policies and accounting practices including the organization’s overall policy and procedure manual related to finance

Marketing strategy

  • Contribute to creating marketing initiatives, producing promotional literature, reports and event materials and liaising with marketing organizations
  • Contribute to establish and maintain a consistent image of the Global Observatory throughout all programs, promotional materials, and events
  • Support the CEO in working with the stakeholders of the Global Observatory to develop a strong community presence and events that will benefit the organization
  • Work closely and transparently with all external partners including third party vendors and consultants
  • Build effective partnerships with funders, collaborators and stakeholders along with the CEO

Operations

 

  • Manage the operation of the Global Observatory as it prepares for its launch and transitions to becoming a key actor in the international sport sector
  • Support the CEO in developing the Global Observatory’s human resources and operations
  • Oversee administrative functions as well as facilities to ensure efficient and consistent operations as the organization scales

Required qualifications

Education

  • A Master's degree

Work Experience

  • At least 10 years of overall professional experience with specialized experience of 6 years in mid/senior level fundraising, financial and operations management
  • Demonstrated experience in fundraising leadership and evidence of genuine success in the role
  • The ideal candidate has experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting and audit coordination for either a division or significant program area, and has preferably overseen a human resources function previously
  • Experience in leading and managing human and financial resources
  • Experience working in small, highly energized teams with large and long-term vision
  • Experience of working at the international level
  • A record of accomplishment in fundraising and grants management
  • Experience of overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors, knowledge of accounting and reporting software

Skills and competencies

 

  • Understanding of, and commitment to, the Global Observatory’s mission
  • Proven skills in the management of financial and human resources
  • Strong capacity for fundraising and connecting with sources of financing
  • Proven track record of generating financial support for specific programs
  • Strong management and organizational skills and an ability to work in a team
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain partnerships and to ensure highlevel coordination and cooperation with stakeholders
  • Ability to identify key financial issues, objectives, opportunities, and risks
  • Keen analytic, organisation and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making
  • Excellent communication and inter-personal relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of stakeholders

  • A multi-tasker with an ability to put the interest of the organization before one’s individual goals

Language

  • Excellent knowledge of English (written and oral)

Desirable qualifications

Education

  • An MBA/CPA or a related degree in finance or management

Work experience

  • Professional experience in other multilateral organizations and/or in the field of international relations and diplomacy, multilateral settings/cooperation, and development
  • Experience of working in the field of sport and gender

Language

  • Knowledge of French, Spanish or any other language

To apply

 

Application should take the form of a CV and a letter of motivation addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education and Physical Activity and sent via email to [email protected] by March 31, 2022.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/jobs-and-opportunities/chief-finance-and-operations-officer

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