Position Summary
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses the power of law to protect the
environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. We work at the
intersection of environmental protection and human rights, across sectors and borders, and in close
collaboration with global partners and local communities.
As a member of CIEL’s executive team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a critical role in advancing
CIEL’s mission and strategy through effective financial oversight, strategic planning, and inclusive team
leadership. The CFO will work with our Board and leadership to ensure fiscal integrity, and will partner
with program and development staff to sustain and grow our organizational impact.
The CFO is responsible for providing senior oversight and support across financial planning, reporting,
forecasting, and business partnering activities, whilst managing our finance team of 5. The CFO works
closely with the CEO, COO, the Board, and in collaboration with other senior organizational leaders
based globally, to make sound decisions regarding the financial health of CIEL, and balance strategic and
operational priorities. We are seeking a leader who is as comfortable diving into the detail and
explaining technical and financial concepts with ease and clarity as they are developing and presenting a
strategic forecast. Comfortable with financial reporting and complexity in a global organization with
entities registered in Washington DC and Geneva, Switzerland, the CFO will work across cultures,
jurisdictions, and time zones.
This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and passionate team. You will work to ensure CIEL has the
financial systems, processes, reporting and strategy in place to ensure our fiscal health, thereby enabling
the delivery of high-impact campaigns that protect people and the planet.

Responsibilities
Leadership & Administration
● Serve as a collaborative and strategic member of the Executive and Leadership Teams
● Provide supervision, mentorship, and development to finance and accounting staff through
direct supervision of Controller and Grants Accountant, and indirect supervision of one
additional accountant.
● Formulate and present financial information clearly to the Board, Executive Team, and other
CIEL staff, working closely with the Board Treasurer and CEO, in particular
● Support investment oversight and reserves management in coordination with the Board and
CIEL’s values
Financial Management & Reporting
● Ensure successful oversight of the day-to-day accounting operations, delegating to members of
the team where appropriate
● Ensure the preparation of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial
statements and forecasts
● Oversee treasury function by strategically manage bank balances and review monthly cash flow
● In collaboration with the Controller, manage the annual audit process and maintain relationship
with external auditors
● Review systems and processes regularly to ensure CIEL is using best in class technologies and
resources to maintain effective and streamlined operations
Budgeting & Planning
● Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the COO and the CEO for both the US
and Swiss entities
● Develop multi-year financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic planning
ensuring restricted funding is budgeted and allocated properly
● Monitor budget-to-actual performance and proactively flag variances
Grants & Fund Accounting
● Manage restricted and unrestricted fund accounting across foundation and individual donor
revenue streams
● Ensure compliance with grant financial terms and support timely funder reporting
● Partner with the Programs and Development teams on grant budgeting and proposal financials

Internal Controls & Compliance
● Develop or enhance, implement, and monitor internal controls and financial policies
● Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations where applicable in the US and Switzerland
● Maintain corporate registrations and charitable solicitation filings across relevant States
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
● At least fifteen years of progressive financial management experience

● At least 5 years senior level financial leadership experience in a nonprofit setting
● Proven ability to develop and deliver financial strategy aligned to organizational objectives
● Demonstrated experience working in a multi-national, multi-entity financial operating
environment
● Experience leading on budgeting, forecasting, accounting and audit processes
● Strong knowledge of nonprofit GAAP and fund accounting
● Experience with Sage Intacct accounting software and corporate credit card and spend
management platforms (Ramp preferred)
● Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate financial data for non-financial
audiences
● Commitment to CIEL’s mission.
● Degree in accounting, finance, or related field required; CPA or MBA preferred
Desired Qualifications:
● Prior experience of leading the finance function in an organization with operations in multiple
jurisdictions
● Experience of mixed income models including foundation and individual funding
● Experience of working closely with nonprofit Boards
● Relevant work experience in organizations focused on international or environmental policy,
human rights, and/or law.

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:
● Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a
sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness.
● Openminded and Flexible: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can
quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current
problems.
● Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective and proactive communication.
Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for
understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.
● Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a
common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what
can be achieved by individuals.
● Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done
even when the odds are against them. Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to
accomplish the goal.

Applications should consist of:
1. An up-to-date CV
2. A concise covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining your motivation and suitability for the
role, and addressing the following:
A. Describe a time you identified a significant financial risk or opportunity for your organization
and walk us through the strategy you developed in response.
B. How have you ensured that financial strategy has directly enabled programmatic impact in a
previous role?