Job Summary
GRB, Pakistan, is seeking a seasoned, accomplished and self-driven senior professional for the position of Executive Officer (EO) to provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the effective discharge of GRB's mandate to provide governance, oversight and independent assurance over the financial management, grants and fund utilisation, institutional effectiveness and programme implementation of Jamati institutions and associated AKDN entities within its jurisdiction. The Executive Officer will report to the GRB, P Office Bearers.
The Executive Officer will lead a multidisciplinary team of professionals, advise and support the GRB Office Bearers and Board, and maintain constructive engagement with senior Jamati leadership, institutional management and relevant local and global AKDN counterparts.
The successful candidate must demonstrate exceptional professional integrity, independence of judgement and the confidence to exercise GRB's oversight mandate objectively and free from undue influence. The role requires the ability to constructively challenge stakeholders, communicate difficult or sensitive matters with clarity and conviction, and maintain an appropriate balance between collaborative engagement and independent oversight. The ability to uphold GRB's institutional independence, particularly when dealing with competing interests or unresolved matters, will be fundamental to success in this position.
Role and Responsibilities:
Governance, Strategic Oversight and Institutional Engagement
- Lead the implementation and continued strengthening of GRB's mandate, ensuring alignment with its constitution and governance framework, while safeguarding its independence and objectivity in the discharge of its responsibilities.
- Develop and implement GRB's strategic plan, annual work plan, performance indicators and budget, and report progress to the GRB Office Bearers on a regular basis.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the governance and management of institutions, both locally and globally, positioning GRB as a constructive strategic partner while ensuring that its professional assessments, findings and recommendations remain evidence-based and free from institutional interests, management preferences or undue influence.
- Engage with senior Jamati leadership and Office Bearers on governance, financial stewardship, institutional performance and risk exposure; identify emerging institutional and systemic risks and bring significant matters to the attention of the GRB Office Bearers, with appropriate recommendations.
Financial Stewardship, Budgets and Grants Oversight
- Lead the review and due diligence of annual budgets, grant requests, funding requirements, fundraising proposals, major investments, capital expenditure and new programme initiatives submitted by institutions.
- Evaluate the financial sustainability, affordability, assumptions, resource requirements and implementation readiness of institutional proposals and make appropriate recommendations to the relevant Office Bearers and leadership.
- Oversee the review and monitoring of periodic financial reporting and budgetary performance, fund utilisation and commitments, institutional cash flows, treasury positions and disbursements to Imamat-funded institutions, ensuring compliance with approved budgets, delegated authorities and funding conditions.
- Provide independent financial assessments and recommendations to support informed resource allocation and institutional decision-making.
- Review audited financial statements, management letters and related reports of institutions, and follow up significant findings, going-concern indicators and compliance with applicable accounting and reporting standards.
Audit, Assurance and Risk Management
- Lead the development of the annual risk-based audit and assurance plan, informed by institutional risk assessments, budget reviews and emerging governance and operational risks.
- Oversee timely execution and quality of financial, management, construction, social and compliance audits, special assignments and other assurance reviews, leveraging global AKDN resources, data analytics and technology.
- Evaluate institutional governance, internal controls, risk management frameworks, policies and regulatory compliance; identify systemic weaknesses and recommend appropriate improvements.
- Ensure timely follow-up of audit findings and agreed corrective actions, escalating overdue or unresolved matters and reporting significant outstanding risks to the GRB Office Bearers and Board.
- Oversee the review and investigation of reported fraud, irregularities, whistle-blower concerns and breaches of policy, ensuring confidential handling, objective reporting and timely escalation to the Board.
Grants Management and Fund Disbursement Oversight
- Oversee the review of institutions' end-to-end grants cycle, including grant appraisal, eligibility, approval conditions, disbursement tranches, utilisation, reporting and closure, and recommend improvements to grant policies and procedures.
- Review and verify disbursement requests against approved budgets, milestones, supporting documentation and delegated authorities before recommending release of funds, ensuring segregation of duties and strong internal controls.
- Monitor restricted and designated funds, unspent balances, reallocations and variances, and ensure that funds are applied strictly for their approved purposes.
- Review programme implementation, results and value for money through reports, data analysis and field or site visits, and report significant deviations and corrective actions to the Board.
Board Support and Stakeholder Reporting
- Coordinate and convene GRB Board meetings, ensuring that agendas appropriately capture strategic, financial, audit, risk and institutional matters requiring the Board's attention.
- Ensure the timely preparation and circulation of Board papers, meeting minutes and action trackers, and monitor the implementation of Board decisions.
- Prepare consolidated periodic reports, dashboards and the annual report for the Board and relevant stakeholders, and maintain secure and confidential records of Board and GRB proceedings.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering accountability, professional excellence, collaboration and continuous learning.
- Establish clear performance expectations and accountability arrangements, ensuring effective supervision, quality assurance and timely delivery.
- Identify staff development needs and strengthen professional qualifications, technical competencies and leadership capabilities.
- Foster an inclusive environment that encourages open dialogue, professional judgement and continuous improvement.
- Ensure adherence to GRB's code of conduct, confidentiality requirements and applicable professional standards and policies.
- Manage GRB's operating budget, resources, systems and administrative functions, ensuring sound internal controls, value for money and continuity through succession planning.
Required Skills
Skills and Qualification:
Essential
- A recognised professional qualification in accounting, finance or audit, such as CA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA or an equivalent qualification from a recognised professional body.
- At least ten years of relevant experience, including at least five years in senior leadership or management positions.
- Demonstrated professional integrity, independence of thought and judgement, courage to challenge established practices and positions where warranted, and the ability to manage sensitive stakeholder relationships and handle confidential matters with discretion, without compromising professional objectivity.
- Strong knowledge and practical experience in financial management, audit and assurance, grants management and fund disbursement controls, risk management, internal controls and governance, including applicable accounting, auditing and internal audit standards.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with senior leadership, governance bodies and diverse institutional stakeholders, including in complex or sensitive matters.
- Sound understanding of, and sensitivity to, the nuances of Jamati institutional structures, governance arrangements and AKDN ways of working.
- Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outcomes.
- Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritise competing demands and consistently deliver within tight deadlines.
- Excellent analytical, communication, report-writing, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness and ability to undertake domestic and international travel as required.
Desirable
- Additional qualifications in risk management, fraud examination, information systems audit or governance (such as CRMA, CFE, CIA, CISA or Certified Director).
- Experience in the not-for-profit, development or donor-funded sector, and familiarity with Pakistan's regulatory and tax environment for non-profit organisations.
- Working knowledge of ERP systems and data analytics tools to support risk-based oversight.
The position will be based in Karachi, Pakistan.
The successful candidate will be offered a competitive, market-based compensation and benefits package
commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory reference and
background checks and a declaration of any conflicts of interest.
GRB is committed to equal opportunity in recruitment