The Foundation for Environmental Stewardship (FES), is a youth-led and youth-serving sustainable development organization and Canadian registered charity. As the final generation that can solve climate change, FES empowers young Canadians to create a more inclusive, fair, prosperous, and sustainable future. FES’ intended impact is to see to it that by 2030, Canada is implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies compatible with a climate-resilient future, through the influence and action of young leaders. To do so, FES deploys two programs:
The Youth Harbour. A youth-for-youth climate support system that provides financial and technical support for youth-led organizations and youth organizers. Mainly, FES pools philanthropic funds, and redistributes funds to youth, and provides fiscal sponsorship and administrative support. In addition, FES offers various other support services to youth leaders such as branding support, co-working spaces, and coaching.
SDGs LAB. A program geared for educational institutions, to introduce students to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and its strengths, implications, and compatibility with local contexts.
The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting FES in building sound governance, transparency, and accountability mechanisms for the organization. The Finance and Operations Manager will work closely with the Executive Director and FES’ Board of Directors to manage FES’ finances, compliance, and payments. To do so, the Finance and Operations Manager will be responsible for administrative, financial, operational, and HR duties as it relates to the day-to-day needs of the organization and its activities.
● Financial Stewardship. This includes all tasks related to bookkeeping, accounting, financial planning, budgeting, reporting, taxes, currency exchanges, cashflow stability, banking, audit, data management, payroll, invoicing, and receipting (eg. issuing tax receipts, receipts acknowledging gifts, and payment receipts).
○ Support the Executive Director in setting organizational and programmatic budgets, tracking and providing variance analysis of budget vs actual, and providing robust financial updates.
○ Execute bank and general ledger reconciliations for FES.
○ Prepare financial reports and monthly balance sheets by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing account information; reconciling financial discrepancies when necessary for FES at large, and its respective programs.
○ Keep a clear record of all incoming and outgoing financial transactions; provide invoices and reimbursements by verifying appropriate documentation.
○ Pay bills required to run the program and act as liaison with partners.
○ Maintain accounting controls by preparing and recommending policies and procedures, developing financial and security controls as necessary, and ensuring organization-wide compliance.
○ Support in FES’ annual audit and other requirements to ensure compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity such as filing government-regulated submissions, such as charity returns and HST filings.
○ Manage fiscal sponsorship contracts, client reports, and disbursements.
● Risk & Compliance. Support the Executive Director in identifying and managing organizational risks, establishing and enforcing misconduct policies and consequences, and incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status if necessary.
● Operations. Ensure that the day-to-day operation of the organization is effective and efficient, this includes the maintenance of FES’ Monday.com platform and the exploration of CRM systems to better manage FES’ network of partners and stakeholders.
● Human Resource Management. Support the Executive Director in the development of HR policies, recruitment, and onboarding.
● Fund Development. Provide support to the Executive Director with fund development activities as it relates to stewarding donor relationships, developing grant proposals, and ensuring that FES’ cash flows can meet the demand of FES’ programming.
● Other administrative duties and operations support as they arise.
Qualifications Essential Qualifications*:
● A post-secondary graduate.
● Between the ages of 18 to 30 at the start of the job placement.
Other Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, including but not limited to non-profit management, business, finance, or administration. Upper-year undergraduate and master’s students seeking a full-time position are also eligible.
● Strong command of and experience using Quickbooks Online.
● 1-3 years experience in an administrative role with financial responsibilities required (this can be satisfied through work, internship/co-op, volunteer, and extracurricular activities).
● Demonstrated interest in relevant domains (ie. sustainability, climate, environment, education, youth engagement and action) is considered an asset.
● Proficient with using word-processing, database and spreadsheet software (most notably Microsoft Office suite, Google Docs and Excel).
● Experience working with Slack and Monday.com, highly preferred.
● Eager to be in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a high learning curve.
● A self-starter able to take initiative on responsibilities with minimal supervision; proven ability to work independently.
● Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrating a positive attitude to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues in a virtual environment.
● Ability to speak, write, and communicate in French is a strong asset.
Please send a copy of your resume and cover letter (PDF) to admin@FESplanet.org with your name and the job title as the subject. Your application should address how you meet most or all of the requirements listed under “Other Qualifications” and “Skills and Competencies.”
FES thanks all applicants for their interest and for taking the time and effort to apply for this position. Only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom