Finance Manager

Finance Manager

USAID’s Tayar Nepal Improved Disaster Risk Management Project 

Scope of Work

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments. More information about DAI can be found on the DAI website (www.dai.com). 

Project Background

USAID’s Tayar Nepal– Improved Disaster Risk Management (IDRM) Project is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DAI Global LLC (DAI) since 2019 to strengthen the capacity of Nepal’s national and municipal institutions responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response. USAID’s Tayar Nepal implements a two-pronged (Stronger Systems + Safer Settlements) approach that strengthens institutions and capacities at the national and local levels to strengthen Nepal’s resilience to natural & non-natural disasters. 

Position Overview

The Finance Manager (FM) will provide overall management of the finance functions of the project. The FM will supervise all activities related to the administration of the Finance Department including but not limited to overseeing monthly expense reporting, all financial reporting to the Nepalese Government authorities, and payroll administration. 

Management 

• Design and implement finance and accounting processes in line with DAI policies and procedures and assist Director of Finance and Administration as required.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of project’s Field Operations Manual (FOM) and identify areas where policies, procedures and/or practices may not align with project practice and advise project management with recommendations. 
• Ensure all document retention requirements are met across various departments, i.e. procurement, grants, logistics, human resources, inventory management, technical/delivery 
• Directly supervise the Finance Officer(s) and provide training, guidance and leadership to project finance and accounting staff.
• Train staff on finance procedures and documentation requirements. 

Financial Reporting 

• Develop and maintain reports of status of financial management activities (such as monthly and quarterly reporting).
• Ensure project assets/inventory report is balanced against the general ledger/FAS prior to submission to USAID. 
• Ensure that any/all contractual financial reporting requirements are identified and complied in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Ensure that tax reporting procedures are well documented to facilitate preparation and submission in a timely manner. 
• Review and submit monthly reconciliation reports.
• Develop and submit other reports as necessary based on registration requirements to local authorities.
• Monitor and report on partner/vendor payment schedules and obligations.
• Provide annual budgets of expenditure as well as quarterly forecasts against budget statements (accruals, pipelines, etc.) as needed. 

Audit 

• Manage preparation of internal and external audits, including annual audits as required by the Government of Nepal. Support responses and actions to internal audit comments. 
• Conduct daily reviews of backup documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with all regulations and the Field Operations Manual (FOM) to maintain audit readiness. Perform regular spot audits on project’s files. 
• Ensure all required backup documentation is uploaded to DAI file management system according to set deadlines. 

Policies and Procedures 

• Ensure accounting policies and practices are carried out in accordance with GAAP standards; project internal controls are established and implemented in accordance with DAI policies, USAID rules/regulations and the terms of the contract.

General Accounting/Financial Management 

• Oversee all field accounting procedures, ensuring that they are compliant with local laws, local tax regulations, DAI policies and procedures, and USAID regulations. 
• Responsible establishing, maintaining and closing registrations and clearances in applicable legal and regulatory bodies including Social Security Fund, Citizenship Investment Fund Inland Revenue Office, VAT office and Ward offices.   
• Ensure tax and VAT amounts are accounted properly as per the local legal requirements. Coordinate with HO the outstanding VAT refunds matters and advise on proper follow up measures.  
• Manage, process and account for all project expenditures. 
• Manage wire requests for project implementation and conduct regular cash flow analyses to ensure availability of funds and the accurate maintaining of bank balances.  
• Ensure invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure the timely deposit of cash receipts.
• Ensure petty cash is maintained at an appropriate level for ongoing operational activities and that established petty cash guidelines are adhered to. 
• Supervise periodic cash counts, ensure the safeguard of bank checks, and cash receipts. 
• Manage banking relationships and coordinate periodic updates for checking account signatories. 
• Prepare and review project cost data prior to submitting Oracle data reports to DAI Washington. 
• Maintain files on financial transaction and relevant document  as required.
• Ensure non-billable expenses are thoroughly reviewed and are kept to a minimum. 
• Ensure any foreign taxes paid are tracked, recorded, and reported to USAID in accordance with ADS guidelines.

Travel Advances and Reimbursements 

• Maintain procedures to ensure accurate and timely payment of travel advances and reimbursements for staff and partner travel. 
• Maintain procedures to ensure accurate and timely reconciliation of travel advances.
• Review outstanding advances and aging reports for accuracy and follow up as needed.

Payroll 

• Ensure the timely and accurate processing and review of all payroll transactions, assuring compliance with established employment agreements and modifications. 
• Ensures staff compliance with timekeeping policy and recordkeeping for payroll processing.

Financial Systems 

• Oversee and Monitor use of field accounting system (FAS), cloud software for backup documentation, DAI’s operations system (TAMIS), etc. 
• Coordinate with home office system support teams to troubleshoot technical issues related to systems or operations. 

 Qualifications: 

• 12 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree with  8 years in relevant degree, including at least 6 years of finance and admin management on donor funded project.
• Experience leading and managing the financial aspects of USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable finance-related USG contracting regulations.  
• Experience with banking (e.g. reconciliations, petty cash management, etc.). 
• Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes 
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image 
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus 
• Demonstrated report writing skills in English is required.  
• Commitment to values: integrity, responsibility, excellence, and global citizenship. 

Level of Effort

The level of effort is 260 days per year  until the close of the project on December 15, 2024. The Finance Manager will report to Director of Finance and Administration, and he/she will be based in Kathmandu with travel in field as required.

Interested applicants should submit an updated CV to TayarRecruitment@dai.com by December 08, 2023.

Women, persons with disabilities, and those from marginalized and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply.