The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Candidate Pack

2019

HEAD OF FINANCE

The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Head of Finance

Candidate Pack 2019

Introduction from the Co-Director

Thank you for your interest in our Head of Finance

position.

For over 40 years, the Institute of Ismaili Studies has

promoted scholarship and learning about Muslim societies

and has sought to encourage a better understanding of their

relationships with other cultures and faiths. This mission

and purpose has never felt more relevant than it does today.

You will see from the pages that follow that this is a time of

real change and potential for the Institute. We recently

became a registered charity and moved into our new

purpose-built home within the Aga Khan Centre in King’s

Cross; we share this space with the Aga Khan University’s

Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC)

and the Aga Khan Foundation UK (AKF UK). Together,

the three institutions have operated for several years as part

of a mandate to increase the knowledge and awareness of

Muslim civilisations and, crucially, to improve the quality of

life for people around the world.

We are seeking to appoint a strong leader who combines

technical expertise and a track record of delivery with personal credibility, gained within the context of

similarly complex organisations. This role will be instrumental in helping the Institute to grow

sustainably and to achieve its strategic aspirations. This is a fantastic opportunity for a high calibre

finance professional who is looking to make an impact and it will provide an excellent platform in your

career. If this challenge appeals to you, then we urge you to apply.

We wish you every success and look forward to the prospect of meeting you in the near future.

Best wishes,

Dr Farhad Daftary

Co-Director & Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications, The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Dr Farhad Daftary

Executive Summary

Located in central London, but working globally, the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) undertakes

research, produces publications and runs educational programmes that promote scholarship in

previously marginalised areas of the study of Islam. The IIS is a registered charity and works on a highly

interdisciplinary basis, partnering with several institutions of learning, including SOAS, University of

London, and the Institute of Education, University College London.

The IIS is looking to appoint a Head of Finance to take responsibility for the overall performance of its

Finance Department, as well as a range of financial, commercial and administrative functions of the IIS,

Islamic Publications Limited (IPL) and the financial management of Victoria Halls (the Institute’s

student accommodation).

The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and an

experienced finance manager with up-to-date knowledge of relevant UK government legislation and

statutory requirements. Experience of working within a not-for-profit and/or Higher Education

environment would be highly desirable.

Applications should consist of a CV accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the core criteria

in the Person Specification. The deadline for applications is midday on Monday, 12 August 2019.

The Institute

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 to

promote scholarship and learning about Muslim societies and to

encourage a better understanding of their relationships with other

cultures and faiths. Its research, publications and educational

programmes promote scholarship in previously marginalised

areas of the study of Islam and encourage learning on Muslim

cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary. The

IIS’s programmes focus on multiple approaches, expressions and

interpretations, giving it a reputation for openness and tolerance.

The IIS is a registered charity and is overseen by its Co-Director,

Dr Farhad Daftary, along with a Board of Trustees. The Institute

collaborates with several institutions of learning including SOAS,

University of London, and University College London’s Institute

of Education.

The IIS is based at the Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross, London, where it is co-located with the Aga

Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) and the Aga Khan

Foundation UK (AKF UK). All three institutions have been operating in the UK for many years and are

part of a mission and mandate to increase knowledge and understanding of Muslim civilisations and

help improve the quality of life for people around the world.

To find out more about the Institute of Ismaili Studies, please click here.

The Ismaili community and His Highness, the Aga Khan

The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, belong to the Shia branch of Islam.

The Shia form one of the two major communities of interpretation of Islam, Sunni Islam being the

other. The Ismailis are a culturally diverse community living in over 25 countries around the world,

mainly in Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, but also in Europe, North America and

Australia. His Highness the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community embrace pluralism and seek to build

bridges of peace and understanding.

His Highness is the 49th

hereditary Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. In the context

of his hereditary responsibilities, he has been deeply engaged with both international development and

scholarship for more than 50 years.

Role Description

The IIS is looking to appoint a Head of Finance to take responsibility for the overall performance of its

Finance Department, as well as a range of financial, commercial and administrative functions of the IIS

and IPL and the financial management of Victoria Halls (the Institute’s student accommodation). This

position is also responsible for all aspects of financial systems and controls of IIS funded projects/offices

in other parts of the world. The current annual turnover of the IIS is around £13m.

There is currently an interim Head of Finance in place, following the departure of the previous post

holder in January this year. The current structure of the Finance Department is as follows:

In discharging their responsibilities, the post holder will be assisted by a small team under their direct

supervision. They will also work with qualified voluntary resources from within the Ismaili Community

on specific tasks as identified by the Co-Director and Board of Governors.

Head of Finance

Finance Manager

Finance Officer

Payroll Officer

Finance Officer

Events Coordinator

The IIS has recently established its new permanent premises at a bespoke

state-of-the-art education and research facility, located in the heart of

London’s Knowledge Quarter in King’s Cross. The Knowledge Quarter brings

together academic, cultural, research, scientific and media organisations

to generate the potential for knowledge sharing, and for creating greater

access to the scholarship of partner institutions.

Specific responsibilities of the Head of Finance will include the following:

Financial Management

• producing and delivering the statutory accounts for the Institute and IPL to agreed timetables and in

accordance with statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity Commission;

• in consultation with the Co-Director and Heads of Departments, coordinating the annual budget and

five-year plan development process for submission to the Board of Trustees;

• supervising the preparation of monthly management information on receipts and disbursements

against budget, and ensuring that variances are appropriately explained and communicated;

• supervising the preparation of the Monthly Funding Request;

• designing and implementing appropriate controls to safeguard the Institute’s assets;

• ensuring that rigorous systems are in place to ensure proper documentation of all receipts and

disbursements as well as the maintenance of proper financial records in compliance with statutory

requirements and standards of financial management;

• keeping the Trustees and Finance Committee informed of material developments on a regular basis

and on an ad-hoc basis as required;

• liaising with external auditors in relation to the annual audit and any management recommendations

raised by the auditors in the context of their work;

• liaising with internal auditors and overseeing the implementation of audit recommendations;

• working with tax advisers to optimize the tax affairs of the Institute and IPL and liaising with tax

authorities as appropriate;

• ensuring that appropriate records are kept, filings made, and taxes paid in relation to corporate

taxes, VAT and PAYE;

• overseeing and being responsible for the management of the payroll function, currently delivered

through an external bureau, ensuring its integrity;

• liaising with AKDN institutions to ensure that maximum leverage is being gained from joint

purchasing arrangements.

Leadership and Management

• managing, motivating and developing the team members to ensure overall effective performance

against the Department’s targets;

• carrying out one-to-one meetings and performance appraisals with direct reports;

• actively contributing to the management of the Institute through SMT meetings and cross-

departmental project groups.

Office for Students and HESA

• ensuring accurate financial forecasts, associated business plans and externally audited accounts are

prepared in accordance with OfS requirements and presented to the Board in conjunction with the

annual accountability statement;

• developing, maintaining and publishing a Value for Money statement;

• maintaining current knowledge of the on-going requirements of the OfS in relation to financial

viability, sustainability and reporting responsibilities and making relevant recommendations to the

Finance Committee;

• overseeing all necessary reporting to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

General

• overseeing the development and regular review of the Institute’s risk register, ensuring that mitigating

action is implemented for all key risks in a timely and effective way;

• maintaining up-to-date corporate documents and ensuring that all required documents are filed at

Companies House within the requisite deadlines;

• negotiating all contracts for the printing of educational materials developed by the IIS, including

appropriate quality and timing criteria;

• ensuring that all administrative functions within the department are adequately discharged;

• ensuring the efficient processing of travel and accommodation arrangements, events planning and

acquisition of capital items;

• undertaking any other duties and projects as may be assigned by the Co-Director and/or the Board

of Trustees.

The Institute’s programmes encourage a perspective that is not confined to the theological

and religious heritage of Islam but seeks to explore the relationship of religious ideas to

broader dimensions of society and culture. The programmes thus encourage an

interdisciplinary approach to the materials of Islamic history and thought.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate evidence of the core criteria from the

following skills, capabilities and experience:

Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications

• qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA or equivalent);

• up-to-date knowledge of relevant UK government legislation and statutory requirements;

• experience of managing the finance function of an organisation, reflecting the key duties of this role;

• experience of managing corporate audits and statutory accounts;

• good knowledge of charity accounting requirements;

• prior experience of working with computer-based accounting applications;

• good computer literacy, with knowledge of Microsoft Office® applications including Word, Excel

and Outlook;

• extensive line management experience;

• understanding of working with a not-for-profit organisation (desirable);

• experience of working within a Higher Education environment (desirable);

• experience of multi-currency accounting (desirable);

• experience of working in a complex cross-cultural environment (desirable);

• prior experience of working with Microsoft Navision® (desirable);

• knowledge of the reporting and financial governance requirements of the OfS (desirable).

Skills and Abilities

• communication and reporting skills (verbal and written);

• ability to work to deadlines with good prioritisation and time management skills;

• proven financial analysis and forecasting ability;

• proven ability to produce and interpret management accounts;

• proven ability to provide support, guidance and training to financial and non-financial managers and

colleagues;

• proven track record of leading, managing and motivating people;

• organisational and planning ability;

• the ability to manage a varied and pressured workload (for self and team);

• policy writing skills (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• a cultural fit with the Institute and a personal commitment to the values of pluralism and respect;

• commitment to developing a client-focused service;

• tact, diplomacy and confidentiality;

• initiative, enthusiasm, drive and vision for the service;

• accuracy and attention to detail.

Appointment Details and How to Apply

The Institute of Ismaili Studies is being assisted in this appointment process by the executive search firm

Society.

Applications should consist of a CV accompanied by a brief covering letter addressing the key criteria in

the Person Specification. To upload these documents via Society’s website, click here.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midday (BST) on Monday, 12 August 2019.

An appointment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references. The appointed candidate will

be offered a salary that is commensurate with their experience and the seniority of their new role.