Job Title: Director - Finance & Administration
Organization: Aide et Action (India)
Location: Head Office, Chennai
Job Type: Permanent, Full time position
Budget Size Managed: ?22–25 Crores
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & International Finance Director (Paris, France)
Team Structure: A 10-member team, with 3 members based at the Head Office in Chennai and 7 working across programme locations nationwide.
Effective Date of Position: 1 February 2027
About Us
Aide et Action (India) (AEA), is a secular, apolitical, organization established in 1981 and registered in 1988 as a Non Profit Organization under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding to section 8 of the Companies Action, 2013). AEA envisions “Changing the world through Education,” and it's mission is to “Ensure access to quality education for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, especially children, empowering them to shape their own development and contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable world.”
AEA's pan-India operations are managed by teams based in Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Guwahati, Gurugram, Hyderabad and Patna, with strategic and operational support from the Head Office in Chennai.
We are looking for an experienced and strategic Director of Finance and Administration to lead our financial stewardship, governance, compliance and administrative functions, strengthening organisational sustainability, accountability and operational excellence.
The Role Overview
As the Director of Finance and Administration, you will serve on our senior leadership team. You will lead the financial strategy and administrative systems for an annual operating budget of ?22–25 Crores across our central Head Office and 7 decentralized programme locations across India.
Our ecosystem relies on a robust dual-funding model. You will be the custodian of a clean, strict accounting and legal firewall between our foreign funding (FCRA) and local corporate donor funds (CSR). Furthermore, to align with global budgeting and reporting requirements, you will work closely with our International Finance Director, based in Paris.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Financial Management & Global Reporting
- International Matrix Collaboration: Partner directly with the International Finance Director in Paris to review, and finalize annual organizational budgets operating on a January-to-December calendar.
- Global Reporting: Oversee the timely, flawless delivery of bi-monthly financial performance updates and comprehensive annual reports required by Aide et Action France.
- Decentralized Financial Control: Lead, mentor, and standardise financial operations for our 10 member finance team, directly supervising the Head Office team (including the Senior Manager - Finance & Administration acting as Internal Controller) and remotely guiding Accounts & Administration team members based in 7 locations.
2. Indian Statutory & Legal Compliance
- Dual-Stream Segregation: Maintain absolute structural, banking, and ledger separation between FCRA foreign contributions and domestic CSR funds.
- FCRA & Companies Act Custodianship: Ensure zero-lapse compliance with MHA guidelines for FCRA (including Form FC-4 filings and SBI New Delhi main account maintenance) and ensure compliance with all Ministry of Corporate Affairs/Companies Act requirements applicable to the organization.
- Tax Exemptions Maintenance: Manage the ongoing validation of the organization's 12A/12AB registration and 80G certificates, overseeing timely returns (Form 10B/10BB audits and Form ITR-7).
3. Institutional Administration & HR Oversight
- Operational Backbone: Direct the administrative departments, including procurement policies, IT infrastructure, asset tracking, and legal agreements.
- Statutory Employee Benefits: Oversee payroll compliance across all 6 locations, ensuring seamless deduction and filing of Provident Fund (PF), ESI, and Professional Tax (PT).
We Are Looking For
- Education: Candidates with Master's degree in Commerce (M.Com), MBA in Finance / PGDM from a premier institute. Candidates who are CA-Inter (passed Intermediate level) with strong sector experience are highly encouraged to apply.
- Experience (Non-negotiable): 12–15 years of progressive experience in financial leadership, including demonstrated experience engaging with strategic stakeholders, particularly government and regulatory authorities, and at least 7 years in a senior leadership position within the Indian non-profit sector.
- Core Capability: Proven track record of independently managing a budget of ?15+ Crores, with deep operational command over FCRA guidelines, local CSR funding regulations, 12A/80G compliance, multi-location branch accounting, and advanced MS Excel for financial planning and forecasting.
- Mindset: Ethical integrity, a strong governance mindset, comfort with matrix reporting, open to traveling to all the programme/project locations across India, as well as undertaking international assignments whenever required.
What We Offer
- A competitive senior leadership compensation package, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- The opportunity to shape organisational strategy, strengthen systems and drive sustainable social impact across AEA India's national operations.
- A collaborative, purpose-driven and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for engagement across a diverse and internationally connected network.
How to Apply
Candidates meeting the requirements are invited to submit their updated CV and cover letter, highlighting relevant experience, particularly in FCRA compliance and multi-location management, to recruit@aide-et-action.org by 20 September 2026.
Please use the subject line: “Application: Director – Finance & Administration”.
Candidates should include their current/last drawn salary and salary expectations in the cover letter.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Joining Date: 1 February 2027. The recruitment process is being undertaken in advance to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure the timely appointment of the successful candidate.
Aide et Action is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.