1. Context
Arpan is growing in scale and complexity. The Finance, Governance & Legal Director will serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and Board, ensuring that Arpan’s financial integrity, statutory compliance, and governance structures are robust, future-ready, and aligned with the organisation’s ambitious mission.
2. Organogram
Board
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Chief Executive & Founder
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Director – Finance, Governance & Legal
3. Key Objectives of the Job
As Arpan enters a significant scale-up phase — deepening government partnerships, expanding across Indian states, and strengthening institutional infrastructure — the organisation requires a senior finance, governance and legal leader to consolidate its systems and provide strategic stewardship. This role that goes beyond transactional financial management to encompass legal compliance, organisational governance, and strategic financial planning.
4. Major Deliverables
1. Strategic Financial Leadership
Serve as the primary financial advisor to the CEO, COO, and Board of Trustees, providing data-driven insights to inform organisational strategy.
Lead the development of multi-year financial plans aligned with Arpan’s growth roadmap and 100x Impact trajectory.
Oversee preparation of annual organisational budgets, ensuring alignment with programmatic priorities and funder requirements.
Analyse financial performance against strategic goals and communicate findings to senior leadership and the Board.
Participate in high-value tender / contract negotiations, MoUs, and large-ticket expenditure decisions alongside the leadership team.
2. Financial Management & Accounting
- Ensure overall financial management, accuracy, and integrity of all accounting processes across programmes and cost centres.
- Oversee proper classification of income and expenditure under designated heads in accordance with programme and funder requirements.
- Supervise payroll processing, TDS workings on salary and vendor payments, and ensure all statutory deductions are accurately computed and remitted.
- Ensure timely payments through digital banking and offline modes as appropriate.
- Maintain financial hygiene through robust internal controls, reconciliations, and oversight of the accounting team.
- Manage accounting in Tally and ensure accurate, up-to-date records at all times.
3. Management Reporting & Donor Stewardship
- Prepare and present monthly management accounts covering income, expenditure, budget-vs-actuals, funder balances, and allocation statuses.
- Prepare periodic financial reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual) for donors as per grant agreements.
- Provide financial data and modelling to support new funder proposals and fundraising initiatives.
- Track funder utilisation and flag risks of over- or under-spend proactively.
- Produce insightful, Board-ready financial reports for Trustees and Senior Management as required.
4. Legal Compliance & Governance
- Ensure timely and complete compliance with all applicable government norms including FCRA, FEMA, Companies Act (Section 8), Income Tax Act (12A/80G), CSR regulations, and other NGO-specific statutes.
- Oversee filing of all required statutory documents and returns within prescribed timelines.
- Act as the primary interface for all legal matters, liaising with legal counsel as required.
- Maintain and update the organisation’s compliance calendar and ensure zero lapses in statutory obligations.
- Support governance processes including Board meeting preparation, trustee documentation, and policy reviews.
- Ensure Arpan’s Child Protection Policy compliance requirements are embedded in all vendors, partner, and contractor agreements.
5. Audit & External Relations
- Manage relationships with external statutory and internal auditors, facilitating smooth audit processes.
- Ensure timely completion of audits and issuance of audited fund utilisation certificates for donors.
- Liaise with bankers, tax authorities, government departments, and other external stakeholders on financial and compliance matters.
6. Team & Operational Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Accounts team, building capacity and ensuring succession planning. Foster a values-based, high-performing, and collaborative culture.
- Establish and continuously improve financial systems, processes, and controls to support Arpan’s scale.
- Drive adoption of digital finance tools and improve financial reporting infrastructure.
7. Risk Management & Compliance
- Anticipate and manage financial risks related to programme delivery, safeguarding, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and internal organisational policies.
5. Job Challenge
To drive meaningful impact at scale by leading complex programme functions, balancing strategic vision with execution, and enabling cross-functional integration in a growing organisation with a deep field presence.
6. Specialized job competencies
Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills with the ability to balance big-picture planning and operational detail.
Expert-level proficiency in Tally; strong command of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); working knowledge of digital banking platforms.
In-depth knowledge of FCRA, FEMA, Income Tax provisions for NGOs (12A, 80G, CSR), TDS regulations, and general NGO compliance.
Familiarity with contract law, MoU structuring, and statutory filings for Section 8 companies / trusts.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders, and communicate complex financial matters to non-finance audiences.
Proven ability to provide financial guidance in scaling up operations and manage organisational growth and transitions.
Strong external representation and relationship building capabilities.
7. Educational Qualification
- CA / MBA (Finance). CA strongly preferred.
8. Desired Experience
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in Finance & Accounts
- 5+ years of diversified experience in a senior leadership role
- Prior experience in the non-profit / NGO sector mandatory
9. Key Competencies
High integrity and accountability — a trusted steward of organisational resources
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to accuracy
Excellent communication skills — able to present financial and legal information clearly to diverse audiences including Board members, donors, and programme teams
Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across functions and influence without authority
Commitment to Arpan’s mission of child protection and the values of transparency, equity, and impact.
10. Other desired attributes
Deep understanding of child protection and trauma-informed practices.
12. Compensation
In addition to a meaningful, purpose-driven career, we provide a fair, market-aligned executive salary tailored to the scale of our operations and the strategic caliber of the candidate.
13. Apply here
https://forms.gle/UN4uA9NvZsQSKBgx8
