Head- Audit and Compliance

1. POSITION VACANT: Head- Audit and Compliance, Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand, Gujarat

2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND:

The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) is committed to strengthening, reviving, and/or restoring, the process of ecological succession and the conservation of land, forest and water resources in ecologically fragile, degraded and marginalised regions in India, through the collective efforts of village communities.

Spread across diverse ecological and social geographies, FES also works towards the conservation of nature and natural resources through the collective action of local communities. The crux of FES efforts lies in locating forests and other natural resources within the prevailing economic, social and ecological dynamics in rural landscapes.

FES presently works with 36,400+ village institutions in 100 districts across 12 states and assists village communities in protecting 11.38 million acres of common lands, including revenue wastelands, degraded forest lands and Panchayat grazing lands, positively impacting 22 million rural people across India.

For more information about FES, please visit:

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

FES is seeking experienced professional to serve as the Head Audit & Compliance (HAC), placed at its Coordination Office at Anand. Reporting to the Director Finance, the HAC is expected to lead the Audit & Compliance function, enhancing the finance systems and procedures, supervise the audit and compliance operations of the organization ensuring that all statutory requirements of the organization are met. S/he also has to oversee and enforce all required statutory compliances and policies and procedures of the organization, offer assurance around business-process risks and controls, and support operational sustainability functions in the evolving statutory and legal regime.

Key Responsibilities: (Essential Functions but Not Exhaustive)

(1) Develop, implement, adhere to and monitor compliance of financial controls to ensure that the organization is protected from risk. Evaluate organisation risks and find ways to minimize them, design effective control systems, handle deviations implement effective improvements as needed to systems and practices, conduct regular training as necessary.

(2) Work independently in carrying out evaluations and will work laterally with all other functions for bringing in the improvements and integrating the changes and requirements in the existing processes particularly in terms of operational effectiveness, financial management, reporting reliability, and compliance with applicable laws, FES policies and procedures.

(3) Systematically evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, governance, accounting processes, compliance with laws & regulations and to offer risk management. Identify the problems, correcting lapses, and provide secure and effective oversight and guidance while adapting to a dynamic risk landscape.

(4) Coordinate across multiple domains to ensure that appropriate documentation are in place and uniform financial system and principles are being followed to support all compliance requirements. To bring in uniformity in processes, documentation, accounting, and compliances across the organization.

(5) Ensure legal compliances on time with respect to Income Tax, FCRA, Societies Registration Act, GST, CSR and other relevant compliances, applicable Laws & Acts. Ensure that the organization makes all required government remittances and remits applicable taxes and statutory dues, as needed.

(6) Ensure the dissemination and adherence to administrative and financial procedures. Facilitate through HR dept. induction and capacity building of all the relevant stakeholders on compliance, financial systems and processes. Focus on use of technology for automation of processes and systems, collation of standardized information leading to time-saving/ better recording of financial transactions.

(7) Take lead in conducting timely and strengthening audits and financial reviews, including internal audits, statutory audits, sub grantee audits, financial review of VIs and donor audits, etc. Examine the observations, evaluate the cause, risk, corrective action, draft responses and align processes to integrate the think through solutions and adapting the changes.

(8) Coordinate with auditors, manage internal and external audit cycle and strengthen the function across all locations. Support in financial year closure and finalisation of financial statements. Prepare agenda notes for Finance and Audit Committee and agenda for the Board of Governors meetings pertaining to audit and compliances.

(9) Ensure compliance with regulations and controls by examining and analyzing records, reports, operating practices, and documentation; Suggest and ensure integration of appropriate changes in systems, processes and internal control structure. Ensure reconciliation of all accounts pertaining to compliance monitoring, validity of the accounting documentation and accounting entries.

(10) Provide inputs on funder MoUs and other vendor contracts, agreements, MoUs etc. for all compliance, statutory and financial aspects.

(11) Any other responsibility as deemed fit or as assigned by the Reporting Officer from time to time.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must be a CA/ ICWA/ MBA Finance or specialized in Audit, Accounting and Finance field.

EXPERIENCE:

(1) Applicants must have minimum 10 to 12 years of relevant experience in development sector.

(2) Applicants must have In-depth understanding of accounting, management controls and financial principles and relevant thematic knowledge.

(3) Applicants must have excellent knowledge of India laws related to non-profits, rules and regulations related to FCRA, CSR, GST, financial practices in the sector and experience of handling scrutiny proceedings.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

(1) Excellent computer skills especially relevant to Financial and Accounting system/ softwares.

(2) Problem solving ability and ability to multi-task and work simultaneously on different tasks.

(3) Ability to collaborate with all parties and manage various stakeholders both internal and external in achieving the organizational goals.

(4) Strong adaptability, system thinking ability, and highest integrity to build trust.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

The gross salary and benefits package budgeted for the position ranges from Rs. 12 to Rs. 18 lacs per annum plus variables and other benefits as per the rules. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history. (Note: FES provides renewable contractual employment.

6. LOCATION: Anand, Gujarat

7. REFERENCE: HAC-FES

8. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi

Phone Nos.: ;

9. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply by using the link by or before 20th October 2025

FES is an equal opportunity organization and women candidates are encouraged to apply.