Project Finance Offcer

Job Description: Project Finance Officer– BRIDGE Project

Position Title: Project Finance Officer

Project: Building Resilient Inclusive Digital Growth & Employment (BRIDGE)

Organization: Karkhana Samuha

Report to: Finance Lead

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal (with potential travel within the Madhesh Province)

Duration: Full-time, 24 months (with possibility of extension)

Pay Range: NPR 35,000 - 45,000 Basic

Application Deadline: 25th December, 2025

About Karkhana Samuha

Karkhana Samuha is an NGO that focuses on making innovation in education inclusive and accessible to people, especially those on the margins, to achieve an equitable society.

At Karkhana Samuha, we practice participatory decision-making and co-creation by bringing partners, collaborators, and end users into every stage of our work. Our approach is guided by Human-Centered Design, helping us design with empathy and purpose. We use our Think, Make, Play, Improve (TMPI) Cycle as the foundation for how we design, create, and learn. We start by thinking creatively to shape ideas, then make quick prototypes to test and explore them. Through play, we reflect, gather feedback, and refine what works. These operational models are proven by academic literature and experience to lead to more innovative ideas and provide a meaningful voice to the intended end-users.

To make our process sustainable, we build Communities of Practice (CoP), spaces where educators, innovators, and partners learn together. We design learning resources that scaffold the growth of these communities and digital platforms that keep the learning ongoing, with the goal of gaining, sharing, and implementing knowledge to innovate locally and make a global impact.

Karkhana Samuha is part of the network of social enterprises, which comprises Karkhana Private Limited, a for-profit focused on designing STEAM learning kits, and Karkhana Global, a US-based non-profit focused on connecting innovative organizations in the global south with resources, expertise, and peers in high-income countries. All three partner organizations remain committed to a shared vision “to nurture a spirit of innovating locally to make a global impact,” but with varied missions and independent governance structures.

Project Summary

The BRIDGE Project is a 24-month initiative funded by Foreign, Commonwealth G Development Offce (FCDO), United Kingdom aimed at ensuring marginalized youth, especially young women, gender minorities, and youth with disabilities in Madhesh Province, can equitably participate in

Nepal’s digital transformation. As Nepal’s digital economy rapidly expands, these groups remain underrepresented due to socio-economic, infrastructural, and educational barriers.

The project, BRIDGE, will equip 40 fellows with intensive software development training through coding bootcamps, establish an accessible Digital Innovation Lab, and deliver inclusive workshops to over 200 youths on AI fluency, ethical tech use, and digital safety. Additionally, a nationwide digital awareness campaign will engage over 200,000 young people.

Utilizing KS’s human-centered methodology, the initiative emphasizes co-design with youths, local governments, CSOs, and tech companies to ensure local relevance and sustainability. The project boosts digital employability, builds ethical AI awareness, and empowers communities to own and run innovation spaces. This will also align to the national and global goals on digital inclusion, gender equality, and youth empowerment.

Job Purpose

The Project Finance Officer will be responsible for ensuring effective financial management, compliance, and reporting for the BRIDGE project. This role supports the program team by managing budgets, monitoring expenditure, preparing financial reports, and ensuring adherence to FCDO and organizational financial policies and procedures. The position plays a critical role in maintaining transparent, accountable, and value-for-money financial practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Accountabilities (Job Responsibilities)

A. Financial Management and Compliance

• Ensure all financial transactions comply with FCDO guidelines, donor contract terms, and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records for the project.
• Ensure effective internal controls and support audit preparedness.
• Review supporting documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance before processing payments.

B. Budgeting and Budget Monitoring

• Support in developing annual, quarterly, and monthly project budgets.
• Monitor budget utilization regularly and flag variances to the Finance Lead and Project Manager.
• Prepare Budget vs Actual (BvA) reports with variance analysis and recommendations.
• Support scenario planning and financial forecasting based on project activities.

C. Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual donor financial reports in line with FCDO reporting formats and submission timelines.
• Consolidate project expenditure and reconcile with organizational accounts.
• Ensure expenditure is correctly coded to project budget lines.

D. Payments and Cash Management

• Process project-related payments (vendors, consultants, staff advances, settlements).
• Monitor project cash flow and ensure adequate fund availability.
• Support field teams in advance disbursement and timely settlement.

E. Procurement and Value for Money

• Ensure procurement processes adhere to FCDO Value for Money (VfM) requirements and organizational procurement policies.
• Coordinate with admin/logistics for quotations, bid analysis, and documentation.
• Ensure proper documentation for procurement and service agreements.

F. Audit and Compliance Support

• Prepare financial documentation for internal and external audits.
• Support the audit process by providing clarifications, evidence, and reconciliation.
• Ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.

G. Coordination and Communication

• Coordinate closely with project team members, field staff, and partners for financial matters.
• Provide financial orientation to staff and partners on donor compliance.
• Participate in project review meetings and contribute financial insights.

Qualification and Experience

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 3–5 years of experience in project finance, preferably in donor-funded projects.
• Manage relationships with financial institutions, banks
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong understanding of donor compliance, procurement, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g. FAMAS)
• Excellent MS Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, data validation).

Skills

• Proficiency in financial software and tools.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and regulations.
• Oversee financial aspects of the project project budgets, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Collaborate with program teams to align financial reporting with grant requirements.

Attitude/Behaviour

• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Adaptability to a dynamic organizational environment.
• Confidentiality and ethical behavior.
• Approachability and empathy.

Major Deliverables

• Monthly Budget vs Expenses reports with variance narratives.
• Coordinate with Program team to review the expenditures are aligned with Program target vs achievement
• Timely financial reports to Senior Management Team and FCDO as per contract requirements.
• Accurate and compliant financial documentation.
• Audit-ready financial records for the project.
• Proper cash flow management and budget tracking.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and a brief cover letter explaining their motivation and relevant experience to hr@karkhanasamuha.org.np. Please mention the position that you are applying for in the subject line.

Deadline to apply: 25th December, 2025

Karkhana Samuha is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. We strongly encourage applications from women, gender minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals from Madhesh Province.