We have the following openings

• Business Manager (Guatemala)
• Volunteers
• Volunteer Board
• Fundraising Volunteers

Careers

Business Manager (Guatemala)

Position: Business Manager

Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Application Deadline: May 10, 2019

Start Date: Immediately

The Justice Education Society of British Columbia (BC) is a non-profit organization with over 25 years of experience providing public legal education and justice system capacity building in Canada and overseas.  In Canada, the Society helps more than 700,000 British Columbians learn about our justice system and address their legal issues.  Internationally, JES has programs in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Guyana which work with national institutions to strengthen justice systems, access to justice and citizen security.  JES has offices in Guatemala, Honduras and Guyana and diverse sources of funding including donors and provincial, federal and overseas governments.  More information on JES is available at: www.justiceeducation.ca.

THE ROLE

The Business Manager will help define processes, implement infrastructure/systems and build and manage effective and streamlined administrative/financial systems.  This is a mid-level, but extremely hands on, position in financial and operations management, and will support the functional areas including, but not limited to: Finance and Accounting, Cash Management, Safety and Security, Governance and Regulatory Compliance, Facilities and IT, Human Resources, and Administration and Logistics for the team of 30 staff in the Guatemala office.  As a member of the Leadership Team in the Guatemala office s/he will be an advisor to Project Directors and project staff, will be responsible for managing all local financial and shared services operations and providing accurate information to the Finance Director, Senior Leadership Team and applicable 3^rd parties (auditors, government agencies, insurance and bank agents, etc.).  S/he ensures the smooth functioning of the Guatemala office finance and operations team and systems, ensures adequate internal controls and segregation of duties is maintained, maintains alignment between finance and operations priorities and reporting requirements and promotes a positive workplace culture of commitment and continuous improvement.  S/he must be able to provide compliance and finance support and mentoring for finance and operations staff. In addition, this role participates in various committees and advises the Finance Director on financial issues that impact decision making. 

To succeed in this position, you will rely on your extensive knowledge and experience in business process re-engineering, and your ability to influence others; you are not afraid to speak up to ensure deadlines are met and compliance with JES and funder policies and procedures is achieved.  Your analytical and creative mind, passion for creative problem solving, and relentless focus on action and getting things done, and according to established policies and procedures, will make you a strong candidate for this role.

The Business Manager, based in the Guatemala office, reports to the Finance Director based in the Vancouver, Canada office.  The successful candidate for this role must speak, write and read English to a very high standard.  S/he has direct supervisory responsibility for a staff of seven (7) (Interpreters/Translators, Drivers, Accounting Administrator, Procurement Administrator and Office Support Worker).

DUTIES

Financial Management

• Oversees full cycle accounting including maintaining accurate books and records to ensure accurate and timely information.
• Responsible for timely and accurate weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting including, but not limited to, project reports, financial statements, government reporting.
• Ensures all financial reporting is completed in full and within specified time frames to meet obligations specified within funder agreements and JES reporting requirements.
• Responsible for day-to-day banking and cash requirements.
• Oversees payroll processing by Accounting Administrator.
• Responsible for all employee benefits processing including negotiating annual plan with provider; and for all payroll reporting and filings to government.
• Responsible for the timely reconciliation of assigned accounts.
• Assists with and provides information for external audits.

Contract Management

• Responsible for the timely and accurate completion of staff contracts in compliance with JES template standards.
• Working with Program staff, responsible for assisting with the preparation of contracts for professional staff in compliance to JES template standards.
• Responsible for filing staff and outside contractor contracts on a timely basis in compliance with established JES filing protocols.

Facilities/Asset Management and IT

• Manage day-to-day office administration including: facilities, equipment and supplies.
• Manage the organization of proprietary and confidential digital and hard copy files and documents.
• Manage office equipment and all operating issues, including monitoring of leases and employee usage, as the main liaison with service providers and vendors.
• Liaise with Building Maintenance to address facilities concerns to ensure a safe, functional and healthy environment.
• Responsible for presenting proposals for repairs and/or replacement of organization assets (photocopier, air conditioning, etc.).
• Manage account information for all vendors including passwords, login information and contacts.
• Responsible for ensuring the fixed asset lists are maintained.
• Responsible for ensuring vehicles are maintained per established maintenance schedules.
• Working with an outside IT resource, ensure JES staff have the tools needed to complete their responsibilities (telecommunications, computer, monitor, etc.) on a timely basis.

Human Resources

• Manage compliance with local labour laws and standards.
• Assist with human resources functions and services, including: recruiting, employee onboarding, benefits and timesheet tracking, accurate and timely filing of all required personnel records and documents.
• Update Employee Handbook and continuous updating of policies as needed.
• Manage all insurance requirements (employee benefits, office liability, vehicles) insurance and negotiate renewals.
• Monitor staff adherence to office standards and procedures, including communicating to line Managers, Finance Director or Senior Leadership Team member to report concerns.

Staff Supervision

• Responsible for scheduling and supervising two (2) Drivers, or contracting with outside overflow resources, to ensure operational requirements are met while keeping overtime to a minimum.
• Responsible for scheduling and supervising two (2) Interpreters/Translators, or contracting with outside overflow resources, to ensure operational and corporate requirements are met while keeping overtime to a minimum.
• Responsible for supervising and mentoring the Accounting Administrator to ensure timely and accurate financial information is completed within the specified time frames.
• Responsible for supervising and mentoring the Procurement Administrator to ensure the effective and efficient use of project funds in the purchase of goods and services and in the timely and cost effective purchase of air flights, hotel rooms and catering venues.
• Responsible for supervising and mentoring the Office Support Worker, with a particular focus on expanding the incumbent’s computer skills.

Committees

• Participate in required committees, as assigned (Health Committee, etc.)

PROFILE

Education: must be an active designated Accountant in the country of Guatemala

Professional Experience

• 10 or more years financial management experience with international non-profit organizations, cooperation agencies, justice institutions and/or consulting firms.
• 5 or more years management and supervisory experience including hiring, orientating, evaluating, motivating and coaching employees to maintain high levels of service.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, practices and software applications.
• Thorough knowledge of all relevant government requirements relating to payroll, records retention, etc.
• Advanced user of excel, word, PowerPoint.

Competencies

• Ability to roll up your sleeves and process hands-on full cycle accounting.
• Experience in business process re-engineering and systems implementation.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results orientation.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization is essential.
• Strong problem solving and creative skills, and the ability to exercise sound judgement and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons or facts.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, anticipating future outcomes and events, then incorporating them into thoughtful solutions.
• Experience assessing, developing, implementing and monitoring processes that promote operational efficiency, strong communication and best in class output.
• Ability to interpret and implement JES and funder policies and procedures.
• Attention to detail in all areas of work.
• Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent people skills, with experience communicating, delegating and collaborating in a multidisciplinary, diverse and dynamic team.
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail oriented.
• Models healthy work/life harmony and resiliency under stress.
• Committed to ongoing professional and personal development for self and others.
• Holds confidential and sensitive information with integrity.

Languages

• Required – advanced ability to read, write and speak Spanish AND English

Remuneration

JES offers competitive compensation, including full benefits.  Candidate must indicate expected annual compensation when applying.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please send your cover letter with salary expectations and curriculum vitae, in English, to the following address, indicating “Business Manager” as the subject: jobs@justiceeducation.ca.  Applications not submitted in English will not be considered.

Deadline for reception of applications: May 10, 2019.

We thank all candidates for their interest, but only those selected for an interview with be contacted.

Consultants

Volunteers

The Justice Education Society is able to provide quality programs and services with the support of over 500 volunteers each year. These volunteers vary from the province’s Chief Justice to secondary school students.

Their diverse contributions range from speaking at our programs and being on advisory committees to helping edit our materials, staging mock trials, and stuffing envelopes.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please Contact Us.

To volunteer with our international program, visit the international volunteer page for more details.
 

Volunteer Board

ABOUT THE JUSTICE EDUCATION SOCIETY (JES)

JES is a non–profit organization with over 25 years of experience providing public legal education and justice system capacity building in Canada and overseas. In Canada, JES helps British Columbians learn about our justice system, address their legal issues, improve legal capability and access to justice. JES works with partners around the world to deliver practical, integrated and impactful projects that promote effective and accessible justice systems which are key to sustainable development, individual security and human rights. With extensive experience in designing and implementing international projects, our work has included a range of diverse projects on justice capacity building, the rule of law, citizen security, human rights, access to justice, gender-based violence, youth justice and public legal education. JES currently has projects in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Guyana, and offices in British Columbia, Guatemala, Honduras and Guyana. JES has diverse sources of funding including private donors and provincial, federal and overseas governments. For more information about JES, please visit our website at www.JusticeEducation.ca.

BOARD OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking one Director with senior accounting and financial management background along with a CPA designation to join our Board. In addition, the new Director will become a member of the Finance Committee, which provides fiduciary oversight of all financial matters of the organization.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of governance and director’s duties and responsibilities. Candidates should also possess high standards of ethics, proven leadership skills, be analytically minded, solutions focused and visionary. Candidates with previous board experience in the non-profit sector is highly desirable.

TERM AND TIME COMMITMENT

Board membership is for a 3-year term. Directors may be elected for up to 9 consecutive years.

The Board and Finance Committee respectively meet on average six times annually. Meetings are held in Vancouver and/or by conference call.

Interested candidates should submit their resume to Sonia Poulin at sonia.poulin@JusticeEducation.ca along with an expression of their interest in serving on the Board.

Fundraising Volunteers

The Justice Education Society is launching a major, province-wide fundraising campaign to “Sponsor Kids to Learn About the Law.”

Government funding to the Society’s Justice System Education Program is now gone. Every year, the program introduces thousands of students to the courts. Program activities include court orientations, court watching, sessions with judges and other justice system personnel and performing mock trials. This program is now at risk and we are counting on donations to sustain it.

The Society is hoping to raise $100,000 to introduce 20,000 youth to BC courts throughout the province. We are seeking sponsorship from law firms, individual lawyers, judges, businesses and the general public.

We are also seeking individuals who are interested to volunteer and help support this fundraising campaign.
Contact us at Volunteer@JusticeEducation.ca for more information.