Starting Date: ASAP

Contract type: Full-time and open-ended

Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Location:  New Delhi, India 

Application closing date: 20-12-2024

About the Job 

This position at Better Cotton office in India will report to the Finance and Operations Manager and will play a crucial role in accounting, financial management, reporting and other associated activities for India Office. Amongst others, this shall involve maintaining accounting systems, compliances, budgeting and reporting. The role will cover areas of finance and operations and will act as lynchpin between the global Better Cotton finance department and financial reporting activities for the Indian entity, working in close communications with global operations, as necessary.  

To successfully deliver in this role, we are looking for a motivated and dynamic Chartered Accountant or a CA/CMA(Finalist), with post qualification experience of around ten years in finance and operations function, preferably in an international and reputed not-for-profit organization. The ideal candidate will have sound knowledge of accounting and financial management, related processes, operating accounting software, local legislations. She/he must be well versed with MS Office tools and must have worked with and implemented ERP systems and has extensive relevant experience in managing budgets and financial reporting. Ideally, applicants will be able to demonstrate experience in reporting and will be comfortable working in a local organisation as part of a global set up.

A high degree of organisation and professionalism, resourcefulness, and efficiency, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment will be key. An interest in supporting efforts to create a most sustainable world will round off the profile. This challenging role offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, together with a competitive benefits package.

Whilst formally based in New Delhi, experience in working remotely with an ability to connect and build trusted virtual relationships is essential.  

The Challenge

Looking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, big cuts in synthetic pesticide use, improve soil health across our network, improve farm income and support women’s empowerment among farmers and farm workers. 

As Senior Communications Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring our external and internal communications are impactful, connect with our audiences and reflect the strength of our value proposition.

Areas that play to your strengths

We are seeking a motivated Finance Coordinator to join our Finance Team. In this role, you will be responsible for:

Financial Accounting, Coordination and Support:

· Ensures financial management, control and regulatory compliances by adhering to the organization’s policy at the Country Office.

· Maintains accounting systems and processes, contributes to identification and development of process improvements, as needed and provides requisite support into their implementation.  

· Ensures review of organizational budget performance against verticals’ annual budgets, forecasting expenses and tracking ongoing commitments against the approved allocations.

· Analyses funds requirements, initiates recommendations for their withdrawal and timely requests for their receipts.

· Advises Manager Finance & Operations on issues, trends, and changes in financial operating performance and operational delivery; proactively communicating issues that are anticipated before they arise.

· Assists in implementing objectives and measurable metrics for Finance vertical performance both for individual Team members and the team.

· Undertakes BCI financial administration processes with specific responsibility for India office financial transactions and processes including payments, invoices, staff expense claims, field partners and other fund recipients, petty cash, entries into accounting software, preparing and sending out-going invoices, monitoring contracts, to ensure good financial management.

· Liaises with global finance team to ensure adherence to global guidance and requirements

· Supports Finance and Operations Manager in ensuring implementation of policies and procedures as laid down in their refinement and documentation, to ensure appropriate internal checks and controls.

· Conducts reconciliations – for bank, sub-ledgers, advances, accounts payables and receivables and support audits/reviews.

· Ensures donors' accounting and finance requirements adhere to contract requirements and supports preapproval and approval processes in a timely manner.

· Processes payroll disbursements and associated functions including tax, employment benefits etc in timely manner and in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines.

Budgeting (Preparation, Monitoring and Reporting): 

· Coordinates budget development processes at country level, preparing budget reports and forecasts, periodical plans, variance analysis and other similar MIS reports in a timely manner.

· Supports, coaches and guides budget holders in budget establishment and monitoring activities.

· Contributes efficiently in timely reporting on financial data for global consolidation deadline and supports global Finance team with financial/donor reporting, as required.  

· In collaboration with the Finance and Operations Manager, identifies areas of efficiency in budget and its monitoring process.

Other:

· Provides support in new initiatives e.g new entity establishment.

· Supports office operations.

· Overseas the work of Sr Finance and Operations Officer.

· Perform other tasks/duties as assigned by reporting supervisor.

The above is an indicative list of major responsibilities. This role offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional development, together with a competitive benefits package.

We are looking for someone who has:

What we offer

- Competitive salary

- Hybrid working – Two to three days/week in the office

- The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year

- Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time

- Continuous learning and development

- Pension scheme

- 25 days paid annual leave, plus 8-9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 days off over Christmas

- Enhanced parental benefits

- A warm, positive working environment where everyone is valued

- The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based either in London, Lahore or Delhi. Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.  

Apply now

Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 20.12.2024 via this link. 

In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.

Our hiring process

Initial Screening:

Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.

Interviews:

If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.

Assessment and Testing: 

Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.

Reference Checks: 

Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.

Offer stage:

After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.

About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.

About our Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:  

• Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible) 
• As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic) 
• Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic) 
• Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic) 
• Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)  

Being you @ Better Cotton

Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.