Partners’ Capacity Building & Finance Monitoring Coordinator

Oxfam in Nepal

Oxfam has been working in Nepal since the early 1980s undertaking various development initiatives addressing the poverty and injustice faced by women and other socially and economically excluded groups. The level of Oxfam's engagement increased substantially after restoration of democracy in 1990 as it became easier for civil society to work in the new political environment. Over the years, Oxfam has worked in partnership with local civil society organisations and the government to promote rural livelihoods, and vulnerable communities' resilience to climatic shocks and disasters. It has also significantly contributed to empowering community people, especially women, to; negotiate with people in power, influence decision making processes, claim rights and essential services to which they are entitled, demand accountability on the part of duty bearers and engage larger masses in advocacy efforts. Oxfam also worked closely with UNHCR in providing assistance to Bhutanese refugees during the 1990s. Oxfam and its long term programme partners believe that the underlying structural causes and drivers of poverty must be addressed if improvements in peoples's lives are to be broad and lasting. Poverty is not one-dimensional; nor is it purely local in its causes and solutions. Therefore, Oxfam's work addresses not only material and technical change, but also the related economic, social, institutional and policy changes which are necessary to end poverty and achieve development and wellbeing. The Oxfam Nepal Vision is: The people of Nepal are empowered and work together to attain a life of dignity with justice and equal rights for all. The Overall Nepal Programme Goal is: to improve the well being of vulnerable people through strengthening their participation in development and governance processes and reducing poverty and suffering.

Details / requirements:

Oxfam is one of the world's leading International Humanitarian Agencies, assisting people affected by poverty, natural disasters and conflict throughout the world. With over 5,000 staff and dedicated volunteers in more than 90 countries, Oxfam is able to achieve the greatest impact to alleviate poverty and suffering through combining emergency response work, long-term development programmes, and campaigning for lasting change. 

Oxfam has been working in Nepal since the 1980s, addressing the poverty and injustice faced by women and other socially excluded groups through a variety of projects. Since, April 25, 2015 Oxfam is also responding for the Earthquake crisis in these areas: Gorkha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, and Kathmandu. We are currently looking for dynamic team players in the following positions for our programme.

Partners’ Capacity Building & Finance Monitoring Coordinator – One year fixed term contract based in Kathmandu

JOB PURPOSE: Responsible for delivering financial management related training, coaching and mentoring to OGB partners’ finance and non-finance staff, support partner for ensure full compliance to Oxfam procedures and provide at establishing a sound internal control system in Oxfam Nepal programme implementing partners. Contribute in reducing Oxfam's financial and reputational risks through regular financial monitoring and building partner NGOs' financial management capacity. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Finance Monitoring

  • Contribute in maintaining a high level of accounting standards and procedures at Oxfam partner organizations’, ensure its effectiveness,
  • Visit field regularly (at least 50% time) to monitor partners' financial performance and prepare financial monitoring reports,
  • Provide management information and update it to respective Programme Coordinators, Finance Coordinators and Programme Manager, as and when required,
  • Identify and support training requirements for the professional delivery of financial controls,
  • Review the partners annual financial performance in line with allocated resources, targets and budgets,

Capacity Building

  • Design and deliver finance management training to the partners’ finance non-finance personnel as part of their capacity development process,
  • Support partner NGOs for organisational development, financial management capacity building and strengthen corporate governance system, 
  • Support and ensure that Oxfam Partner NGOs policy and guidelines are adequate and updated to meet the minimum standard in the change context
  • Contribute to prepare procedures and guidelines at partners in view of the local context as and when required,
  • Provide regular coaching to partners’ finance staff as part of the capacity development 
  • Support to ensure that Oxfam partner are able to comply with all reporting requirements according to professional standards within the organization as well as to government, regional centre and donors.

Managing Risk

  • Conduct partner's capacity and risk assessment (PCRA) of OGB partners and prepare reports along with improvement plans,
  • Support to ensure implementation of financial management best practice (e.g. practices that promote cost effectiveness) and Oxfam partnership policy at Oxfam and partners level.
  • Support partners to identify irregularities and exercise necessary controls to ensure that deviations and are highlighted as soon as possible
  • Review/analyze the partner’s quarterly financial report, and ensure the reports are in line with Oxfam’s reporting requirements for timely disbursement of grants to partners, 
  • Support Finance Coordinator in planning, organization and execution of the statutory requirements and audits 
  • Ensure partner NGOs statutory requirements are met on time.
  • Formulate a learning and development strategy and action plan that meets the needs of partner NGOs, organisation priorities and Oxfam's risk reduction plans.  
  • Provide support to programme team during emergency by undertaking additional functions as delegated by the line manager.

Planning and Budgeting

  • Demonstrate a high level of finance expertise in  supporting  programme team to prepare programme plan and budgets,
  • Support programme team to identify the implication of exchange gain or loss in the project 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:    

  • Professional degree in accounting / finance from a reputable institute or equivalent professional qualification from a professional accounting body
  • Familiar with Nepal/Internal Audit Standards with big four firms
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience including 3 years in development sectors 
  • Comprehensive knowledge and experience of relevant areas of responsibility (financial and non-financial) 
  • Excellent facilitation, analytical, advisory and planning skills. 
  • Sufficient credibility to influence senior management
  • Commitment to delivering against agreed deadlines
  • The ability to lead and manage the team 
  • Experience and capability in motivating and training others (both finance and non finance and National and International staff) in Financial procedures and concepts
  • Ability to prioritize own/department workload; to take responsibility for the own and department’s work; to work independently within a team and with initiative 
  • Ability and experience to work with/manage multi-donor contracts finances
  • Fluent written and spoken English is essential. 
  • Strong computer literacy, strong proven experience in computerized accounting packages,  preferably PeopleSoft 8, Excel Spreadsheets, Payroll software, Internet based programs 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an aptitude to bring positive changes 
  • Knowledge about financial procedures of major donor agencies e.g. EC, ECHO, DIPECHO, DFID, SDC, SIDA, etc 
  • Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances
  • Commitment to the aims, objectives and Oxfam's organisational culture 

Applications for the above positions can be sent by 14 October 2015 via mail to recruitment_nepal@oxfam.org.uk or G.P.O. Box 2500. Please kindly mention your preferred location in the application letter. Due to emergency response the recruitment for this position will resume as we receive applications and potential candidates might be contacted before the closing date. 

Overview

Category Development and Project
Openings 1
Salary Rs. 0 / Hour
Experience 5+ years
Education Please check vacancy details
Posted Date 30 Sep, 2015
Apply Before 14 Oct, 2015
City Kathmandu