Finance and Operations Director - COSMA Moldova

Finance and Operations Director

About IREX

For more than 50 years, IREX has delivered results in complex environments. We solve problems through partnership, bridge divides where interests conflict, and develop leaders committed to impact. The youth we empower build stronger economies. The educators we support improve learning for countless students. The critical thinking skills we advance help people make informed decisions about their futures.

For the upcoming “Strengthening Social Cohesion through Civil Society and Mass-Media in Moldova“ (COSMA) project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), IREX is seeking a Finance and Operations Director to be based in Chisinau, Moldova. The Finance and Operations Director will be responsible for overseeing all operational, administrative and financial aspects of the project, and ensuring compliance with SDC regulations.

The COSMA initiative aims to enhance an inclusive nation-building process and social cohesion in Moldova based on democratic principles. This will be achieved by empowering the media and civil society organizations to act as agents of accountability, cohesion and transformation, using citizens' priorities as entry points. This strategic initiative entails the active inclusion of the excluded groups and attaining widespread societal support. This is to be achieved through a combination of awareness raising, coaching, mentoring, peer exchange and training on transformative topics. The program will have a nationwide coverage paying particular attention to regions where social and national cohesion are at risk, such as the Gagauz Autonomous Region and the northern region of the country. Duration of the first phase of the project, which is the object of this tender, is four years (July 2026 – June 2029).

This is limited to citizens/residents of Moldova. The position is contingent upon IREX being awarded the tender.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day oversight and supervision for operations, financial management, administration and compliance for the project, ensuring that the most efficient and effective financial control systems and operations processes are in place

Supervise day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations, administration, logistics, procurement, subgrants management, budgeting, accounting, IT and working closely with the technical team to support efficient coordination and timely implementation of activities

Manage program accounting, country-level financial reporting including drafting budgets and managing bank accounts including bank reconciliations. Track and report monthly and quarterly on project financial management and performance

Ensure compliance with Swiss Government regulations, IREX’s corporate policies and host-country laws.

Analyze and streamline processes in the field office, provide training and capacity building to project staff on an ongoing basis on project administration and implementation

Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting or related field

Minimum 8 years of relevant experience managing operations and financial activities for large and complex donor-funded programs, SDC experience highly preferred

Proven expertise in finance, accounting and auditing including grants management, financial planning, monitoring of grant compliance, and establishment and management of internal controls

Advanced Excel skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Proven knowledge of local taxes and labor laws mandatory

Knowledge and understanding of SDC rules, regulations, and reporting requirements

Fluency in English, Romanian, and Russian is highly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

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