1. POSITION VACANT: Director Finance, Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand, Gujarat

2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND:

The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) is committed to strengthening, reviving, and/or restoring, the process of ecological succession and the conservation of land, forest and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded and marginalised regions in India, through the collective efforts of village communities.

Spread across diverse ecological and social geographies, FES also works towards the conservation of nature and natural resources through the collective action of local communities. The crux of FES efforts lies in locating forests and other natural resources within the prevailing economic, social and ecological dynamics in rural landscapes.

FES presently works with 36,400+ village institutions in 100 districts across 12 states and assists village communities in protecting 11.38 million acres of common lands, including revenue wastelands, degraded forest lands and Panchayat grazing lands, positively impacting 22 million rural people across India.

For more information about FES, please visit: https://fes.org.in/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

FES seeks an experienced professional to lead the Accounting and Finance functions providing overall direction including management of accounting transactions, budgeting, funds management, investments, banking, grant management, financial reporting, compliance, internal control, and audits. The Director - Finance (DF) shall work closely with the Executive Director and top management to ensure that the financial functions are designed and managed in an efficient and effective manner, compliant with organizational policies, laws, and regulations applicable in India.

S/he shall also develop and monitor systems to ensure ongoing ability to respond to the needs of a growing organization and ensure the organization’s financial health through the close review of financial statements & analytics, budget management, risk and compliance adherence and fund flow management.

Key Responsibilities: (Essential Functions but Not Exhaustive)

(1) Provide financial management and accounting leadership to the organisation to ensure compliance with organisation policies, donor requirements and relevant statutory compliance.

(2) Actively oversee the financial health of the organization, continuously monitor and project organisation’s financial status & performance, risk management plans.

(3) Continuously monitor, assess and ensure the adequacy of systems and procedures for transparent accounting, financial management and reporting.

(4) Support the Top Management and Board of Governors on the external landscape with respect to changing government legislations. Monitor changes in the accounting framework, analyse, report the expected impact and mitigation plan.

(5) Formulate, monitor, optimize and control financial processes for organisation including establishing and strengthening effective and efficient planning, budgeting, internal controls, financial policies and procedures, performance-monitoring, compliance and risk-management systems.

(6) Monitor overall financials, oversee for regular information flow to and from the function with respect to current performance, areas of achievement/improvement, and variations.

(7) Conduct regular internal review & audits of financial systems and ensure that exceptions are highlighted analysed and managed. Lead/Participate/Drive standardization & automation projects for process efficiency.

(8) Ensure consistent communication and interpretation of the organization’s financial policies and procedures.

(9) Ensure that the internal, statutory and donor audits are managed effectively and required corrective action has been taken to strengthen the systems;

(10) Ensure timely submission of Statutory, Management, and Internal reports and all legal compliances.

(11) Provide inputs on organization expansion into new geographies on governance models, taxation norms, statutory requirements, etc.

(12) Undertake effective tax planning at the organizational level (direct and indirect taxation) and provide inputs for commercial/non-commercial decisions.

(13) Participate in preparation and negotiation of funding agreements with donors.

(14) Establish and maintain proactive links with stakeholders to ensure compliance with established processes and procedures with the highest level of accountability.

(15) Be up to date with the changing external developments in finance, taxation, laws and regulations etc. and best practices in other similar organizations which directly or indirectly impact the organization.

(16) Lead, monitor and train the Finance team to strengthen the effective implementation of finance functions

(17) Any other responsibility as deemed fit or as assigned by the Executive Director from time to time.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

(1) Applicants must be qualified Chartered Accountants/ CPA/ MBA ( Finance);

EXPERIENCE:

(1) Applicants must have minimum 15 years of progressive experience including five years’ experience in leading the Finance function, preferably in the social development sector.

(2) Applicants must have prior experience with FCRA compliance, including the management of FCRA audits.

(3) Applicants must have strong experience in managing overall finance and accounting functions of organization and compliance related to foreign law related to Charities.

(4) Candidates possessing equivalent professional qualifications in accounting and finance with relevant experience, as above, shall also be considered

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

(1) Knowledge of the NGO sector, including compliance requirements of the government; Knowledge of institutional funders for international development, a plus.

(2) Technical expertise in all aspects of accounting, financial management, statutory compliances, tax laws, risk management and regulations etc.

(3) Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and high professional maturity and integrity/Leadership skill.

(4) Understand FES’s vision, mission, and values and be able to adapt to the same.

(5) Works collaboratively and is confident and competent in strategic planning, and management.

(6) Proven track record of working and networking with the relevant government and regulatory institutions including banks, Income tax departments, charity commissions etc.

(7) Strong sense of ownership for every deliverable and high attention to detail and accuracy.

(8) Ability to deal with complexity, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and Unquestionable integrity.

(9) Ability to work in an entrepreneurial setup & Passion for the cause and willingness to commit to the same.

(10) Strong interpersonal and communications skills; ability to influence & clearly convey complex financial issues to non-finance professions.

(11) Inter-cultural understanding and an open attitude toward feedback

(12) Ability to provide leadership and work as part of a team.

(13) Must be flexible and able to innovate and be agile to handle a variety of situations.

(14) Ability to coordinate smooth functioning in a matrix organization structure and work effectively with a high-performing team of peers.

(15) Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.

(16) Ability to work in a matrix environment

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

The gross salary and benefits package budgeted for the position ranges from Rs. 24 to Rs. 30 lacs per annum plus variables and other benefits as per the rules. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history. (Note: FES provides renewable contractual employment.)

6. LOCATION: Anand, Gujarat

7. REFERENCE: DF-FES

8. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025

Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

9. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply by or before 11th March, 2026

FES is an equal opportunity organization and women candidates are encouraged to apply.