We’re hiring a Finance Director!

World Coffee Research (WCR) is a 501(c)5 non-profit agricultural research organization formed by the global coffee industry to drive collaborative innovation to ensure the future of coffee. WCR invests in coffee agricultural research to improve coffee productivity, coffee quality, climate resilience, and farmer livelihoods to support origin diversity (the continued availability of high-quality coffee from many producing countries). Our 26-member team lives in 15 countries. WCR’s annual operating budget of $4 million is made possible by coffee industry membership contributions complemented by public sector support.

We’re looking for a part-time Director of Finance to lead financial planning and analysis, budget development and financial reporting for the organization, in close collaboration with a high performing finance team. This position centers around producing timely results that are high quality and accurate. Benefiting from an analytical, inquiring and critical mind, this position requires imagination and strong problem-solving skills, but with a strong technical orientation. The position requires an ability to deal with abstract concepts, systems and ideas and all of that in an organized and self-disciplined way. It also requires that serious consideration be given to all possibly related facts and potential problems. This position demands deep knowledge and expertise and to do it successfully depends on understanding detailed information. Getting the job done and getting it done right are the two, equal, drivers for this role.

More about the position

The Finance Director is responsible for the overall financial and administrative management of World Coffee Research. The Finance Director ensures that WCR financial & related administrative policies and procedures conform to regulations and best practices, nationally and internationally. The Finance Director maintains awareness of the company’s financial position and facilitates effective and compliant operations and internal controls. The Finance Director, as a member of the Executive Leadership team, supports the development of the organization’s annual budget. The Finance Director supports the WCR Board Finance Committee and works closely with the Board Treasurer. This position is a 50%-time position and reports to the CEO.

Why work at World Coffee Research?

We are ensuring the future of coffee. Simply put, if you love coffee, and you want to be a part of a global team working to grow, protect, and enhance supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihoods of the families who produce it – you’ve come to the right place! We’re looking for a collaborative, nimble and curious team player who likes to solve problems that matter, embraces accountability, and is ready to adopt a spirit of kaizen. If this sounds like you, please keep reading to learn more about the position.

Key accountabilities

Controller/Financial management & oversight

• Develop and oversee execution of annual budget in coordination with CEO, Directors, Accounting Manager, Contracts & Grants Manager and Finance Committee for Board approval
• Lead team and provide oversight on accounting operations including financial management, financial report preparation and compliance on accounting policies
• Prepare and analyze financial performance metrics
• Oversee financial company audit and single federal audit, if required
• Leads reporting for the Board of Directors and Board Finance Committee on organizational financial matters.
• Supports Board Finance Committee as primary staff support member.

Administrative management & oversight and contracts and grants administration

• Oversee team awareness and compliance with internal organizational controls for financial policies and procedures
• Oversee financial compliance and spending for all sponsored awards
• Direct and support the Contracts & Grants Manager in the preparation, management and financial reporting of all sponsored awards and ensuring WCR contracts are compliant with WCR policies

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Prepare 3-5 Year Rolling Forecasts
• Support contract and grants budget development and execution process

Supervision

• Foster team culture among direct reports to deliver organizational results
• Guide and support staff in their individual technical duties and responsibilities
• Encourage and cultivate professional development of staff
• Provide quarterly performance feedback and support to staff
• Provide administrative oversight (e.g. leave requests and expense approvals)
• Validate staff compliance with WCR policies and procedures

Qualifications

Education

• MSc/MA in finance, business, or related field

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience as director of finance or similar role, non-profit preferred
• Experience with government and internationally funded projects.
• Experience in compliance with 2 CFR 200 section of USG regulation and OMB A-133 audit preferred
• Budget development and international contracting experience
• Knowledge of financial management and accounting principles and practices, preferably related to non-profit accounting, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Knowledge of financial policies and procedures to ensure effective internal controls
• Knowledge of government contracting procedures, regulations, policies.
• English fluency required. Spanish and/or French preferred

Knowledge

• Knowledge of financial management and accounting principles and practices, preferably related to non-profit accounting, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Knowledge of financial policies and procedures to ensure effective internal controls
• Knowledge of government contracting procedures, regulations, policies.
• English fluency required. Spanish and/or French preferred

Skills

• Effective leadership, negotiation, and communications skills
• Administrative and managerial skills
• Advanced computing skills in MS Office programs, especially Excel, and ERP software
• Strong organization skills with an eye for detail, ability to plan, and prioritize
• Critical, strategic thinker and problem solver

Abilities

• Analytical ability and strong attention to detail
• Enjoys working with a diverse, international team of people; team player
• Self-driven

This position a remote (home-based) work location. This is a 50% effort position.

Additional Considerations

This is a home-based remote work position. International travel may be required of the position and employee must have valid passport.

Direct reports

This position reports directly to the CEO, is a member of the WCR Executive Leadership Team, and works closely with the broader WCR team. This position has up to four direct reports.

Compensation and Benefits

WCR believes in pay transparency and equity; accordingly, we benchmark all salaries to local scales in the countries where our team members live. For U.S.-based team members, this position is benchmarked to the top Finance position in the Guidestar compensation report for organizations of comparable size. Applicants from outside the U.S. are encouraged to inquire about adjusted salary ranges in the country where they live.

A full suite of benefits to facilitate work-life balance including: 25 days of paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave, parental leave, and professional development opportunities to facilitate personal and professional growth. As this position is a 50% position, paid time off will be pro-rated accordingly.

How to Apply

Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter to info@worldcoffeeresearch.org with Finance Director in the Subject line.