Director, Finance & Administration

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Start Date: Immediately

Location: Dhaka, with some with some travel within the country

Employment Type: Full-time, Paid (min 3-year commitment)

Application Deadline: Rolling

About Teach For Bangladesh

Teach For Bangladesh (TFB) believes that every child in Bangladesh – regardless of socio economic circumstance – deserves the opportunity for an excellent education. Our mission is to launch a movement of capable, committed, and compassionate leaders who share a vision of an equitable Bangladesh and are working collectively to expand educational opportunities for all children.

Our flagship Fellowship program enlists high-potential graduates to spend two years teaching full-time in low-income schools. During that time, we train and support Fellows as they drive the academic and non-academic development of their students. The program also prepares participants to become lifelong leaders as Alumni, who will spearhead systemic change in Bangladesh, particularly in the education sector. Learn more about us at: www.teachforbangladesh.org

Teach For Bangladesh is an independent organization that is a member of the Teach For All Network. The Teach For All Network consists of 60 independent organizations (and counting) around the world who share a commitment to educational equity in their countries, and a belief in the power of collective leadership to achieve equity. Learn more about the network and the global organization by the same name at www.teachforall.org

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Legal will oversee all aspects of finance, accounting, reporting activities, and compliance. S/he will be tasked with creating long-term financial structures and developing and implementing the appropriate accounting and financial control systems to ensure financial sustainability of the organization. This position is ideal for someone who is looking for an opportunity to take on a critical leadership role in a dynamic, evolving and fast-paced non-profit that strives to have a tremendous, long-term impact on education in Bangladesh. The Director will lead all day-to-day finance operations and supervise a team of two to three staff members, with potential growth of the team, including functional responsibility over accounting, grants management, budget development, forecasting and monitoring, outside audit and federal financial reports, US and domestic taxes, domestic payrolls, and financial policies and procedures. The Director will ensure that Teach For Bangladesh has the systems and procedures in place to support rapid growth and conduct flawless audits. S/he will leverage technology for financial operations and reporting and develop sustainable financial practices and inclusive financial strategies which focus on equitable compensation and benefits, transparent financial reporting, sustainable investments, compliance and ethical standards. S/he will work closely with senior leadership members and their teams on planning and analysis and to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures. will be the key individual leading strategic and tactical engagements with the NGO Affairs Bureau, and any other regulatory bodies.

Major Responsibilities

Finance Planning and Analysis

• Develop and monitor budgets and forecasts. Lead TFB’s leadership in an annual budgeting and mid-year reforecast process; administer and review all financial plans on a monthly basis and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
• Develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections.
• Partner with the executive team to address all operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations to the executive team based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Represent the organization to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, auditors, etc.
• Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funders, the Board of Directors, and key external constituents; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements for internal and external use.
• Incorporate technology and data analytics to improve financial planning and analysis processes.
• Ensure financial plans include sustainability goals and practices.

Financial and Accounting Management

• Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting.
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures. Help ensure maintenance of fiscal policies and procedures.
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership abreast of TFB’s financial status. Coordinate activities between development and finance.
• Oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for international and domestic governmental agencies, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Oversee all audit activities.
• Oversee proper filing of tax returns in Bangladesh and the US.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions.
• Implement and oversee advanced financial software and technology to streamline operations.
• Develop and enforce policies related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in financial management that are aligned with organizational goals.

Legal and Compliance

• Maintain responsibility for all internal and external contracts for staff, Fellows, vendors, donors, partners, etc.
• Liaise with external legal counsel to ensure compliance.
• Ensure compliance with new regulations related to data privacy and cybersecurity.
• Update and maintain policies to reflect changes in local and international financial regulations and standards.
• Oversee the engagement with the NGO Affairs Bureau and District Commissioners offices in multiple regions, to ensure strong relationships with stakeholders.
  • Validity of our NGOAB permit
  • Timely and successful approval of project proposals, budgets, audit reports, proposals to bring on-board non-Bangladeshi staff, etc
• Liaise as necessary with internal teams (such as Human Resources, Partnership Development, Fellow Leadership Development, etc.) and external stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, the Directorate of Primary education etc., in order to maintain alignment and compliance

Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Possess strategic communication skills to effectively convey financial insights and organizational performance to a diverse range of stakeholders, including board members, donors, government agencies, and educational institutions. This involves presenting complex financial data in a clear and compelling manner, ensuring transparency and fostering trust. 
• Adept at crafting persuasive narratives that align financial strategies with the mission and vision of Teach for Bangladesh, facilitating buy-in and support from various stakeholders including donors and partners.
• Manage and inspire the finance team, ensuring cohesive and efficient operations, including providing clear guidance, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks that could impact the organization’s sustainability and growth. This includes developing robust financial models and forecasts to predict potential risks such as funding shortfalls, economic downturns, and changes in donor behavior.
• Create contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies to protect the organization’s assets and ensure continuous operational stability.
• Maintain a risk management framework that integrates risk considerations into strategic planning and decision-making processes, which includes promoting a risk-aware culture within the organization, providing training and resources to staff, and ensuring that all departments are aligned with the risk management policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputable Bangladeshi or international university.
• CFA/CPA and/or MBA and/or LLM/JD
• 8-12 years of finance and compliance-related experience.
• Strong desire to learn and/or familiarity and experience with non-profits and non-profit accounting/finance (non-profit issues, experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting; knowledge of grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of international and domestic corporate, individual, and foundation grants)
• Excellent people and communication skills, especially in discussing financial topics internally with a variety of staff and externally with key stakeholders
• Strong forecasting skills; experience in modeling and forecasting complex operating models.
• Proficiency in financial management software and systems, such as ERP systems, accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage), and advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of local tax laws, regulatory requirements, and reporting standards in Bangladesh.
• Desire and ability to effectively operate independently and as part of a team in a high‐intensity, high‐uncertainty start‐up environment, with a results-oriented culture.
• Deep understanding of and strong alignment to Teach For Bangladesh mission, vision and core values (see http://www.teachforbangladesh.org/about-us/core-values/).
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Bangla.
• Two professional references.

Compensation and Benefits

Monthly salary is competitive in the context of the Bangladeshi development sector, and depends on qualifications and prior experience. While our compensation package is fair and competitive in the Bangladeshi context, we do not expect this to be your key reason for joining us. After all, we are not just offering you a job; we are looking for a like-minded leader to grow with us and help us in our mission to ensure all children in Bangladesh have access to an education that unlocks their true potential.

Benefits include 2 festival bonuses per year, medical insurance, 24 days of annual leave (accrued over a year), 8 days of sick leave, opportunities for training, travel and professional development within the organization, as well as, through the global network Teach For All.

Information for non-Bangladeshi candidates

Non-Bangladeshi individuals – particularly those with prior experience with one of the Teach For All partner organizations, either as a participant or staff member – are eligible and encouraged to apply for this role. Non-Bangladeshi hires would be eligible for one round trip air ticket from and back to their home country in each year of employment. Teach For Bangladesh will assist you in the process of procuring an appropriate visa and work permit. Please be advised that securing a visa to travel to Bangladesh can take up to a month so we encourage non-Bangladeshi candidates to apply well in advance of the deadline. 

We expect that all non-Bangladeshi candidates for this position are motivated to educate themselves about Bangladesh’s socio-political, historical, economic, and cultural contexts, and committed to working in solidarity with Bangladeshi leaders both inside and outside of TFB

How to Apply

Please email your resume and a cover letter to careers@teachforbangladesh.org. Indicate the position “Director, Finance & Administration” applied for in the subject line of your email. Your cover letter should be no longer than one page, and must answer the following questions:

• Why are you interested in Teach For Bangladesh?
• What compelled you to consider this specific position?
• What strengths/experience would you bring to this position?

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.