Senior Finance Officer

Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)

The Senior Program Officer will work in a country consortium office based in Kathmandu from 1st April 2020 The Consortium Members (American RC, British RC, Canadian RC, Danish RC) have had a longstanding partnership with the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) having worked closely with them for several years, working alongside in the April 2015 earthquake response and recovery, as well as in the delivery of disaster risk reduction, health, and community preparedness programs. This role is based in country and will support Programme, PMEAL, Administration, Procurement and Logistics Units, other Finance team members, as well as collaborating with the Consortium Partners and the International Finance Officer in DRC.

Job purpose

The Senior Finance Officer is responsible for the adequate financial management of the assigned projects through checking of NRCS accounts (to ensure quality, proper documentation and accuracy, coding and compliance with Project Agreements); fund requests are received on time, and reports are submitted in time. S/he will also be responsible for annual program audits, and other requirements of the assigned projects and its donors.

Job duties and responsibilities

• Control, compliance and audit
• Acts as the focal person for the assigned projects.
• Ensure that all DRC obligations with respect to the NRCS/DRC/Consortium partners Development Contract and programme Agreements concerning accounting/audit requirements are properly carried out.
• Check NRCS accounts for the assigned projects, including transactions, bank statements, reconciliations, advances, budget coding, supporting documentation and asset management.
• Check all NRCS supporting documentation (for internal controls and audit purposes) and enabling provision of feedback to NRCS from the Consortium team.
• Review the assigned projects accounts on a quarterly basis to ensure all supporting documents are in order.
• Ensure monthly closure of accounts of the assigned projects.
• Ensure compliance with DRC as Lead Agency’s finance procedures in making payments and receiving funds in the country.
• Coordinate with the external auditor for program audits including preparation of audit financial statements for the assigned projects. Ensures quarterly preparation of the financial statements to enable a smooth compilation for the yearly project audit.
• Review and prepare monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports for the assigned projects with relevant NRCS departments to track expenditure against budget and donor requirements.
• Closely monitor all financial activities related to the assigned projects and advise of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management performance.
• Assist in performing due diligence procedures when needed.
• As requested by Consortium Finance Manager, supervise of the cash book/ sheet and bank account; ensuring reconciliation weekly/monthly. Carry out/ ensure weekly/monthly cash counts for office petty cash and Safe.
• Support programme team in drafting project budgets and monthly/quarterly cash forecasts as per DRC standards.
• Facilitate budget revisions of the assigned projects in cooperation with concerned programme focal person.
• Support Consortium Finance Manager in compiling donor financial reports for the assigned projects as per the donor requirement.
• Give advice and train programme staff in activity-based budgeting
• Collaborates with the consortium finance representative member of the assigned projects and with the International Finance Officer (IFO) in DRC.
• Assist Consortium Finance Manager during quarterly field monitoring visits in collaboration with NRCS HQ Finance
• Assist Consortium Finance Manager to identify organize capacity development sessions, workshop and events.
• Assist Consortium Finance Manager in outlining the capacity development needs and gaps of NRCS. Proactively contribute in developing session contents for such events.
• Strictly adhere to anti-corruption guidelines and ensure the guidelines are also adhered to by DRC/Consortium partners funded NRCS programme staffs.
• Other Tasks
• Any other tasks specific to this position to be identified and agreed upon by the job holder and line-manager  

Work towards the achievement of the IFRC/Consortium goals through effective managerial and lateral relationship and teamwork 

Produce timely reports based on defined templates and indicators

Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross/Red Crescent principles

Perform other work-related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the line manager.

At least 5 years of experience in bookkeeping, reconciling and reporting

Experience on facilitating external audits

Experience in conducting finance trainings

Exposure to work in cross-cultural environments with expatriate staff

Experience in working in partnership with NGOs/humanitarian organisations

Practical knowledge of operations support for emergency response and development programme

Ability to monitor budgets and plans

Competency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail and the internet

Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines

Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems

Flexibility, ability to work in demanding situations and sometimes under pressure

Ability to work in an organised and systematic manner

Carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support from within the organization

Knowledge of varied donor financial regulations

Excellent facilitation skills

Excellent team working and communication skills

Fluent spoken and written English and Nepalese

Other languages

Competencies 

Integrity, team building, credibility, motivation, honest, reliable and cultural awareness