Finance Officer

Finance Officer

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 Officer is a key member of the finance team. She/he will assist the Finance Manager (FM) with financial, accounting and budgeting support. She/he will maintain accurate financial, accounting, and payroll records in compliance with DAI policies and USAID rules and regulations, and assist with financial reporting, bank reconciliations, or other related duties.

Responsibilities 

Management

• 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.
• Coordinate compliance with documentation requirements across all departments, i.e. procurement, grants, logistics, Human Resources, Inventory Management, Technical/Delivery and other areas.
• Support to train staff on finance procedures and documentation requirements.

Financial Reporting 

• Prepare reports of status of financial management activities (i.e. monthly and quarterly reporting) as required.
• Support to ensure project assets/inventory report is balanced against the general ledger/FAS prior to submission to USAID.
• Ensure that tax reporting procedures are well documented to facilitate preparation and submission in a timely manner.
• Support to prepare and submit monthly reconciliation reports.
• Submit advance, grant and other finance  reports as applicable.
• Develop and submit other project reports as necessary and based on registration requirements to local authorities.

Audit 

• Support  in preparation for  the internal and external audits and  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)
• Ensure all required backup documentation is uploaded to DAI file management system according to set deadlines.

Policies & 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

• Support to prepare wire requests for project implementation.
• Conduct regular cash flow analyses to ensure availability of funds and the accurate maintaining of bank balances. 
• Responsible for accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments.
• Ensure the timely deposit of cash receipts & ensure petty cash is maintained at a feasible level for operational activities and that petty cash procedures are followed.
• Ensure the safeguard of bank checks, and cash receipts.
• Support tax and VAT amounts are accounted properly as per the local legal requirements and lead for processing VAT refund for the project.
• Manage banking relationships and coordinates periodic updates for checking account signers.
• Ensure proper segregation of duties within the Finance/Accounting Department
• Maintain file management systems for soft and hard copy documentation as required.
• Prepare the non-billable expenses details summary for reviewed and used as per threshold. 
• Prepare income tax report for employee (PPH21) and any other taxes that may be applicable. 

Travel Advances & Reimbursements

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

Payroll

• Process the payroll with assuring compliance with established employment agreements and modifications.

Financial Systems

• USE of vFER, cloud software for backup documentation, DAI’s operations system (TAMIS), etc.

Qualifications 

• 8 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree with 4 years in relevant degree, including at least 3 years of finance and admin management on donor funded project.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing financial aspects of USAID funded projects. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes.
• Demonstrated report writing skills in English is required. 
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and personnel management skills and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus

Level of Effort, Location and Reporting

The level of effort is 260 days per year till December 15, 2024. The Finance Officer reports to the Finance Manager (FM).  The position is based in Kathmandu, with travel to priority Tayar municipalities.

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.