Vacancies

Chief Financial Officer

Duty station: Bishkek

Common Information

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest communities in the world. With an emphasis on women and girls, AKF invests in human potential, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life. AKF was established in the Kyrgyz Republic to support sustainable socio-economic development in mountain communities by building partnerships. AKF aspires to improve the quality of life and self-reliance of young people and women in the Kyrgyz Republic through inclusive and innovative community-driven solutions, constant learning, and integrity.

Reports to: AKF Chief Executive Officer

Job purpose: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for providing leadership and direction on the financial management, as well as, day-to-day management of the accounting, taxation, grant, and compliance functions for the AKF, MSDSP, and Helicopter Operations.

The CFO is also required to provide oversight of finance-related matters of AP and advisory support if needed.

The CFO ensures that an adequate financial control environment is in place to protect AKF and its related affiliates, as applicable resources and guarantee the quality and reliability of financial reporting, timely feedback on the achievement of operational and strategic goals, and compliance with AKF Regulations and Rules. 

Qualification requirements

1. Establish and implement internal controls, finance policies and procedures, and accounting systems to ensure that the organization’s day-to-day operational activities are efficient and effective, and are in line with approved strategic initiatives and budgetary allocations
2. Works with the CEO and management team to proactively eliminate financial and legal risks to the organization
3. Leads the planning and execution of activities in the areas of budgeting, accounting, taxation, grant, and compliance across an organization
4. Ensure the annual and donor budgeting process at place and provide a timely submission of the consolidated budget and forecast to management, AKF Geneva, and Donors
5. Ensure statutory compliance under the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic and provide advice and assistance to the CEO relating to the financial activities
6. Ensure donor compliance with financial terms and conditions as per grant agreements with donors
7. Prepares and presents finance reports as per the reporting matrix for the CEO, Executive Director, and management team
8. Ensure the timely, accurate completion and submission of all government, committee, and funder donors and regulatory agency reports
9. Verify and approve monthly payroll of AKF and its related affiliates as applicable; local reporting to tax inspection on income tax (quarterly) and to Social fund (monthly)
10. Provide management reports to the CEO for effective forward planning and resource management
11. Verify and approve cash requests to AKF Geneva and for partner organizations
12. Participate in developing new business; specifically assist the Chief Executive in identifying new funding opportunities, drafting prospective programmatic budgets, and determining the cost-effectiveness of prospective service delivery
13. Ensure the accuracy and timely recording keeping of the fixed asset register and annual verification of fixed assets
14. Verify the compliance of documents from procurement with the donor and audit requirements
15. Ensure strengthening the capacity of the finance team under the HR development plan
16. Maintain relations with external and internal audits; ensure follow-up actions
17. Lead Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) implementation by developing key policies, framework, and risk register and helping to establish a strong system and communication RM chain across the organization.
18. Perform other finance-related duties as assigned by the CEO 

Safeguarding related activities:

• Commit to organizational strategy and strong leadership in creating an environment, systems, processes, and resources for safeguarding
• Ensure accountability through management reporting and monitoring mechanisms for safeguarding
• Encouraging speaking up
• Responsible for the implementation of safeguarding within their function

Gender-related activities: Take responsibility for the implementation of the Gender Equality Policy within the areas reporting to them and leading and acting as models and champions for Gender Equality 

Duties

Education:

• Qualified Accountant from a recognized Institution

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of post-qualification experience in the development sector.
• Knowledge of donor agency grant processes, procedures, and auditing requirements is desirable
• Solid knowledge of KR legislation in terms of accounting, taxation, and financial management
• Willing to travel extensively in regions.

Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to work cooperatively and strategically in a team environment with all levels of professional, technical, and administrative staff;
• Ability to negotiate, build consensuses, and inspire others to form alliance for concerted actions;
• Self-motivated, diplomatic, strong analytical skills, detail-oriented, ability to work within multicultural teams;
• Capability of meeting short deadlines and producing quality materials
• Full computer proficiency

Languages: Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Kyrgyz, and Russian 

Conditions

Interested and qualified candidates should express their interest in writing by submitting their applications by November 30, 2024, 00:00 (Bishkek time) to the following email address akf.hr.kg@akdn.org, indicating the job title and their name in the subject line.

For example: "CFO_Your Name," and attach the following documents:

1. Cover letter, no more than 200 words;
2. CV;
3. Contact information for two referees;
4. Copies of educational documents verifying qualifications.

Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews. 

“The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is committed to safeguarding, which means it promotes respectful relations with and between all staff, associates, beneficiaries, and wider communities with whom it works, and takes all reasonable measures to prevent harm, including all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (PSEAH), bullying, discrimination, harassment and abuse of power that may arise from contact with its staff, programmes or operations.

AKF also adheres to child safeguarding principles, as set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s), employment history, and any potential history of misconduct. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a full background check.

All employees of AKF are required to adhere to the organizational safeguarding standards and principles and at all times to act with dignity, and respect and to contribute to a safe environment free from any type of harassment, abuse, or discrimination.