Finance and Operations Manager

The Syria Campaign is recruiting a Finance and Operations Manager to join our small and creative team. We’re looking for an experienced finance expert who gets excited about making things happen; has an eye for detail, a head for numbers, and a heart for human rights.  We are looking for someone with a strong background in financial management and grant compliance, with a commitment to working for human rights and a free and democratic future for Syria. This is a full-time position over 2 years, renewable based on funding. It can be done remotely, with US EST, European, and Middle Eastern Time zones preferred.

We are an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. We do not and will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, nationality or citizenship, gender expression or identity, religion, economic background, disability, or sexual orientation. 
Application Deadline: September 15, 2023

About us

The Syria Campaign (TSC) is a small, fast moving and powerful human rights organisation that has impact through stories, news and campaigns. We work to support Syria’s heroes in the struggle for freedom, justice and democracy, partnering with civil society groups inside and outside the country. 

The Syria Campaign works to keep Syria in the international spotlight to increase the cost of attacks on civilians, help build the power of civil society, advocate for a vision of real peace and justice and build international solidarity with the Syrian people.

We’ve raised the profile of Syrian groups such as the White Helmets rescue workers, helping secure them millions of dollars to continue their life-saving work and making them famous around the world. We’ve supported the Families for Freedom, a women-led movement of the families of the disappeared in Syria, to ensure their demands are heard. We work with dozens of partners across Syria who trust us deeply. Syria is full of heroes and we’re privileged enough to work with them. 

We have to fight hard to make sure the issues that matter to us and our partners get the focus and support they need. We refuse to let Syria disappear from the attention of the world, and we will work until we see justice served. 

What you’ll be responsible for

This role will lead on financial management ensuring strong financial health for the organization and compliance with donor commitments. The role additionally provides an opportunity to lead on other streams of operational work based on the applicants interests and TSC’s strategy priorities.

The role reports to the Head of Operations, Finance and People. 

Specific responsibilities include:

Financial Management 

• Monitor financial performance, prepare monthly financial accounts and reconciliation.
• Manage the yearly board-approved budget and cash flow.
• Work closely with the Operations Associate on the day-to-day financial transactions including invoicing, payments, payroll, and bank reconciliation. 
• Produce quarterly financial reports for the Board, with oversight from the Head of Operations, Finance and People.
• Lead the annual audit process for The Syria Campaign’s UK and US entities.
• Manage and build relationships with service providers and financial institutions.
• Ensure financial controls are suitable and implemented correctly.
• Manage TSC’s external Bookkeeper. 

Compliance and Grants Management

• Work closely with programmes in managing the operational and fiscal side of grants, including developing budgets for grant proposals and monitoring and reporting for existing grants.

• Manage overall programme budgets, tracking spending and budget projections with deliverables.
• Manage financial reporting for subgrantee partner organisations as needed. 
• Build financial & admin  (operational?) capacities of subgrantees to enhance their organizational capacities  as needed. Build relationships with partner organisations staff.
• Review financial reports from TSC team and partners and check the compliance with terms and conditions of the grant.

Operations Management

• Develop and improve global organizational systems and procedures to better fit TSC’s needs.
• Lead on implementation of digital security best practices for our team.
• Ensure proper insurance is maintained for the UK, US and German entity.
• Play an active role as a member of the organization’s finance and operations team, contributing to other tasks as needed.

Qualifications 

A successful candidate will have: 

• 3-5 years of years of experience managing nonprofit finances and grants required
• In depth knowledge of financial regulations and accounting processes 
• Experience reporting to large institutional donors and Foundations
• Experience managing organizational budgets and cash flow
• Experience using accounting software, ideally Quickbooks Online
• Entrepreneurial, self-starter who can work independently and build trust among a remote, multi-national team
• Extremely detail oriented, able to manage multiple work streams and meet deadlines
• Fluency in English, with Arabic a plus
• Experience working with civil society partner organisations, including in reviewing partner financial reports, preferred
• Desire to thrive in a creative, inventive, fast-paced global environment, with people who are passionate about their work and mission
• Commitment to a free and democratic future for Syria, and global justice and human rights more broadly

The deal

The Syria Campaign is committed to making sure everyone on the team is happy, productive and motivated. Here’s how we do that:

Salary is competitive and in line with international organisations.

The job is remote. We are seeking candidates based in US Eastern Standard Time, European or Middle Eastern time zones. We have team members in Germany, the US, the UK, Morocco, Turkey and France and provide you with a space in a co-working office wherever you are based. We have full staff retreats every year to keep us connected.

We provide budget, time and support for your professional development.

We give 25 days of leave a year, public holidays and discretionary break over the end of year holidays. We offer family friendly parental leave policies.

To apply for this role, please send a CV to [email protected] with a cover letter describing why you’re the ideal candidate. Please put ‘Finance and Operations Manager’ in the email subject line.