Chief Operating Officer January 2020
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Chief Operating Officer January 2020 Join the leading animal protection charity in Asia Letter from Founder and CEO Thank you for your interest in joining our organisation and helping to end cruelty to animals in Asia. 21 years ago, Animals Asia was founded with the primary goal of ending bear bile farming – a horrific trade that is arguably the world’s cruellest form of animal abuse. Since then the organisation has grown and expanded. We now have over 330 employees located in 6 countries: China, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Australia. Our head office is in Hong Kong. We operate two world class bear sanctuaries: near Chengdu China and north of Hanoi Vietnam. Our annual operating budget is in excess of $12 million (US). The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports directly to me. S/he is responsible for managing the organisation’s infrastructure including: finance, administration, human resources and information technology. This position is a member of the Leadership Team, which manages the entire organisation. This position is based in the Foundation’s head office in Hong Kong. We are about to launch our biggest campaign ever to bring bear bile farming to an end in Vietnam. This will be a time of growth and challenge for the organisation. If you are looking for a challenging and personally rewarding position, I look forward to hearing from you. Warmly, Jill Robinson MBE Founder and CEO P a g e 2 Chief Operating Officer, Animals Asia Foundation Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Responsible for: Finance Human Resources Information Technology Head Office Administration Strategic Planning Location: Hong Kong As a member and chair of the organisational leadership team, this pivotal role is responsible for all areas of finance, financial planning, accounting and treasury as well the core information technology and human resources functions. The COO has a central role in leading the organisation as it embarks on a period of growth and expansion. This position also has lead responsibility for communication with and support of the Board of Directors. In addition to the day-to-day management of the key infrastructure functions, this position will have a central role in strategic planning and thinking for the organisation. Animals Asia is about to embark on its biggest challenge ever—to double its income base over the next 5 years so that it can expand its operations in both China and Vietnam. This challenge will require strategic management and coordination with the Global Director of Fundraising and Communications. The organisation has highly experienced and dedicated staff members throughout. We need a strong manager who can work well in a collegial and culturally diverse setting during a time of challenge as we grow the organisation. P a g e 3 Chief Operating Officer Job Description The COO reports directly to the CEO. S/he is responsible for managing the following functions: finance, administration, human resources and information technology. This position chairs the Leadership Team, which manages and coordinates activities across the entire organisation. The COO is responsible for the coordination and integration of the programmes and projects of the various departments under the umbrella of the strategic plan which s/he coordinates. This position is based in the Foundation’s head office in Hong Kong. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of finance, information systems, and HR; broad experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, team management, budgeting, analysis, finance, information technology, and human resources. The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; the ability to think and plan strategically on highly complex issues; the ability to balance the delivery of programmes against the realities of a budget. S/he also will demonstrate excellent skills in problem solving, project management, and coordination of the work of multiple divisions towards a shared mission and goals. This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced individual to assume a pivotal role in a growing organisation that is making a difference for animals in China, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of progressively responsible management experience. Some experience in a public benefit organization is preferred (NGO, non-profit or government). P a g e 4 Job Responsibilities Manages the Finance Team which is responsible for financial planning, budgeting, reporting, cash flow, investment priorities, and financial policy matters. o Maintains and implements an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures. o Develops and maintains sound financial practices that comply with relevant laws and regulations. o Plans, coordinates, and executes the annual budgeting process and ensures actual results are reported expediently. Manages the Information Technology team. o Analyse the current technology infrastructure and scope out the next level of information technology and financial systems that support the growth of specific programmes and the organisation overall. o Implement changes necessary to support the organisation as it grows. Manages the Human Resources team. o Upgrade Human Resources functions including: training, development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, performance evaluation and staff. Serves as the management liaison to the board of directors and keeps the board updated on high-level matters related to finance and internal operations. Contributes to the development of Animals Asia’s strategic goals and objectives as well as to the overall leadership and management of the organisation. Coordinates the development of the Strategic Plan and ensures that Animals Asia is adhering to this plan, delivering regular status reports to the board. Maintains continuous lines of communication with other members of the Leadership Team and keeps the CEO informed of all important issues. Oversees head office administration and day-to-day operations. Represents the organisation externally, as necessary. P a g e 5 Management Style Promotes a collegial work environment that respects and values diversity. Promotes an organisational culture that fosters passion for the mission, cooperation, open communication, teamwork, learning and a commitment to quality. Ensures staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development. Mentors and develops staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assigns accountabilities; sets objectives; establish priorities; and monitors and evaluates results. Requirements 1. Education: Bachelor’s degree. Applicants with a Master’s level degree are preferred. 2. Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible management experience which includes supervision of finance, accounting, information technology and human resource functions. 3. Preferably 2 years living, working or consulting in Asia. 4. Good familiarity with Asian cultural and political climates, particularly in China and Vietnam. 5. Excellent interpersonal communication skills in English, both verbal and written, with the ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders from varied cultural backgrounds. 6. Proven leadership abilities in a dispersed global organisation. 7. Fluency in Mandarin and/or Cantonese is advantageous. 8. Proficiency with computers and skill in the use of a range of software applications. 9. Interest and commitment to the protection of animals is highly desired. P a g e 6 SALARY AND BENEFITS Salary Salary is market competitive and dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits 25 days of annual leave Medical insurance - for employee only, i.e. no family members. MPF which is the government's Mandatory Provident Scheme contributed to by both employer and employee. P a g e 7 Application Process How to Apply Please send BY EMAIL ONLY a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post together with your CV/resume (no photos) in strict confidence to: Karem Armstrong at [email protected] Please ensure that they are sent as Word or PDF documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV”. Please put “AnimalsAsia COO” in the email subject line. The deadline for applications is February 2nd, 2020 P a g e 8 About Animals Asia Founded in 1998 by Jill Robinson, Animals Asia promotes compassion and respect for all animals and works to bring about long-term change through its many on-the-ground programmes. It has become the leading locally-based animal protection organisation in Asia. Animals Asia works to end the cruel bear bile trade, which sees over 10,000 bears kept on bile farms in China, and, approximately 600 suffering the same fate in Vietnam. Animals Asia has to date, rescued over 600 bears, caring for them at its award-winning bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam. Animals Asia also works to end the trade in dogs and cats for food in China and Vietnam, and lobbies to improve the welfare of companion animals, and to promote humane population management. In addition, Animals Asia campaigns for an end to abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks in Asia, and works closely with governing authorities to improve animal management and increase awareness of the welfare needs of captive animals. P a g e 9 .