Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Finance & Administration
at Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
🏢 About Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism (UAF) is a unique organization that has spent over 25 years providing rapid, flexible funding to frontline feminist activists worldwide. They prioritize the safety and resilience of women, trans, and non-binary activists, making it a mission-driven workplace where your financial expertise directly supports social justice movements. Working here means being part of a global network that values equity, liberation, and holistic support.
About This Role
As Director of Finance & Administration, you will oversee the financial health and administrative operations of a dynamic, remote-first nonprofit. You'll manage a small team, supervise vendors, and ensure compliance while supporting the organization's mission to fund feminist activism. This role is pivotal in building sustainable infrastructure for a 25-year-old organization, directly impacting its ability to respond quickly to crises and opportunities worldwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a check-in with your finance team and reviewing cash flow for urgent grant disbursements. You'll spend time on strategic planning, such as budgeting for new grants or forecasting, and collaborate with the Executive Director on financial reporting. Later, you might meet with vendors or consultants to ensure administrative systems run smoothly, and carve out time to review compliance for international transactions, all while staying connected via Slack and video calls.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism Is Looking For
- A seasoned financial leader with at least 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit finance, including grant accounting and fund accounting, with a strong understanding of 501(c)(3) regulations and remote team management.
- Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and has experience with rapid response funding or emergency grantmaking, ideally within feminist, human rights, or social justice organizations.
- A strategic thinker with excellent communication skills, able to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for the Executive Director and board, while fostering a collaborative, feminist workplace culture.
- Proficient in financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Salesforce) and experienced in developing budgets for multi-country grants (e.g., USAID, EU), with a commitment to intersectional feminist principles.
📝 Tips for Applying to Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with rapid response funding or emergency grants, as UAF's core model is fast, flexible support—showcase any relevant examples.
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your alignment with UAF's mission and your understanding of feminist funding principles, such as trust-based philanthropy and supporting frontline activists.
Since the role is remote, emphasize your experience managing remote teams and your ability to work independently with a geographically dispersed team, including any tools you've used (e.g., Asana, Slack).
Highlight your experience with international grants and compliance, as UAF funds activists globally, so familiarity with diverse donor requirements is crucial.
Research UAF's recent grants and initiatives (e.g., their rapid response funding for women, trans, and non-binary activists) and mention specific examples in your application to show genuine interest.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for feminist activism and your understanding of how financial management can enable rapid, flexible support for frontline communities.', 'Your proven track record in nonprofit financial leadership, especially in organizations with a global reach and a remote workforce.', 'Your ability to build and manage systems that are both compliant and agile, ensuring funds reach activists quickly without compromising accountability.', "Your commitment to UAF's values of equity, care, and resilience, and how your leadership style aligns with their feminist, participatory approach."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Visit UAF's website and read their annual reports to understand their funding priorities, recent grants, and impact stories.
- → Look into their 'Rapid Response' model and how they differ from traditional funders, including their emphasis on flexibility and holistic support.
- → Research the feminist funding ecosystem, including organizations like the Global Fund for Women or Mama Cash, to understand UAF's positioning.
- → Check UAF's social media and news mentions to see their current campaigns and any recent leadership changes or strategic shifts.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid a generic cover letter that doesn't mention UAF's mission or feminist approach—this is a mission-critical organization, and they want someone deeply aligned.
- Don't underestimate the remote aspect: failing to address how you'll manage a team and stakeholders across time zones can be a red flag.
- Avoid focusing solely on technical accounting without showing an understanding of the nonprofit's unique funding model (rapid response) and the need for agility.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism!