Finance Coordinator

Finance Coordinator

Country Programme Pakistan

Place of work:

Islamabad, Pakistan

Pay band:

Coordinator Level

Salary:

Competitive with excellent benefits

Contract type:

Core Position

Reports to:

Manager Finance (MF)

Manages:

Financial and Grants Management

Budget responsibility:

No

Travel:

15 - 20%, Need based

WaterAid Introduction  

WaterAid is an international non-governmental organization. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the world’s poorest communities. WaterAid works by helping local organizations and governments to set up low cost and sustainable WASH solutions that can be managed by the community itself.  WaterAid also seeks to influence the policies of other key organizations, such as governments, to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services. For more information, please visit www.wateraid.org

Role of position in the organization:

The position will function as a key liaison and support point within finance as well as for programme in relation to financial management, grant management and budget monitoring.

Reporting line:

The position lies in the category of Pakistan Country Program. The Finance Coordinator will directly report to the Manager Finance (MF). The position holder supervise Finance Officer(s) working on Grant/Partnership and Operations.

Key working relationships:

Internal: Manager Finance, Finance Officer(s), Budget Holders, Country Director, staff of WaterAid in Pakistan and WA UK Finance team.

External: Partners, consultants, Auditors, sector stakeholders and other NGOs.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the Finance Coordinator (FC) role is to manage the finance department activities and provide necessary technical support, advice and assist in decision making for Manager Finance for effective financial management of the Water Aid Pakistan country programme and to ensure that the Water Aid financial policies and procedures are implemented in a standardized manner. Specifically to ensure efficient grant management and compliances, monitor implementing partner’s financial management, build partner capacity, timely and accurate development of financial reports.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management

• Ensure preparation of grant financial reports and discuss them with the project team. Ensure that the reports are shared with Manager Finance for review within the required time schedule.
• Review grant financial reports assigned to his/her team and ensure donor compliance.
• In coordination with the Manager Finance, participate in responding to respective queries from donors, partners and WA internal management on matters relating to financial reports.
• Actively participate in financial design of new projects and revision in approved budgets in coordination with budget holders.
• Active review of the Financial Database(s) (RIS and Finstream) to analyze the authenticity of grant data and make necessary updates.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and their analysis for MF and SMT review. Follow-up and coordinate for variance analysis with Budget Holders.
• Ensure budget availability before requisitions are processed for procurement.
• Be a key player in the issues of grants accounting and management to ensure full compliance with our internal and donor requirements.
• Coordinate with WaterAid UK for donor-codes and upload of budget to SUN Financials.
• Coordinate and submit final donor report on conclusion of a grant with donor.

Partner Financial Management

• Financial monitoring of partners to ensure financial controls and procedures are in place.
• Ensure that partners are complying the WaterAid’s Financial Management Guidelines and are using standard reporting formats.
• To review the partnership mechanism and bring in the innovation to ensure value for money and efficiency in the mechanism.
• Review and assist on the project budget preparation and assist MF in resolution of compliance issues for all prospective sources of funding.
• Conduct partner monitoring visits and liaise with Finance Officer(s) to efficiently utilize updated monitoring checklist.
• Ensure timely and productive monitoring reports for the improvement of systems and controls at partner’s financial mechanism.
• Review of financial data before posting into SUN, a Global Accounting System.

     Financial Accounting & Management

• Assist MF to ensure all internal controls are in place and are applied in consistent manner for management of finances.
• Ensure that all financial data is uploaded to the Global Accounting System within the stipulated timeframe and agreed internal KPIs.
• Ensure accuracy of financial transactions/payments in terms of code allocations, sufficient supporting evidence, timeliness and appropriate approvals.
• Supervise staff in preparation and presentation of monthly financial documents.
• Coordinate Annual Financial Audits and donor requested audits as lead and together with finance team members, participate in responding to internal and external audit queries.
• Ensure monthly closure process is adhered actively and in compliance with UK deadlines.
• Prepare and share Monthly Management Accounts for Manager Finance review, as per deadlines set by UK Office.
• To orient and train newly hired staff on financial matters.
• Assist MF for capacity building of program staff & Budget holders to understand the financial report and management accounts.
• Assist MF in compliance with statutory laws, policies and procedures.
• Assist MF in Management Accounts Narrative and producing a useful analysis.
• Actively participate and assist MF in the Annual Budgeting process and mid-year reviews/forecasts.

Support & Capacity Building:

·       Actively patriciate in the proposal development process and assisting the teams in development of proposal budgets ensuring full cost recovery.

·       Liaison with partners’ finance team, for capacity building on Grants Management, as required.

·       Manage necessary cover in the absence of team member and act as a second tier to manage all finance functions.

·       Under take special projects and duties as assigned by the Manager Finance.

Person Specifications

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

The incumbent must be proficient in:

·    Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. Practical knowledge of financial systems, internal financial controls and procedures.

·    Donor reporting requirements

·    Preparation of financial reports

The incumbent must be proficient in:

·       Computerized accounting program - SUN Financials and Vision Excel

·       Good Knowledge of compliance issues of major bilateral and corporate donors including but not limited to EU, FCDO, GAC and UN

Education & Experience

·      Requires a Master’s degree in Accounting or a related field and at least 7-10 years with minimum 5 years in INGOs accounting and grants management experience.

·      Must be computer literate with a comprehensive knowledge of MS, Excel & accounts packages

·      Good communication & team building skills

·       CPA, CA, ICMA or ACCA qualified is desirable

·       Knowledge of development issues & concepts

·       Experience in major donor regulations such as EU, UNICEF, GAC and FCDO funding streams is highly preferable.

·       Advanced Computer skills including the ability to operate and manage computerized financial Systems, spreadsheet and word-processing programs

Skill

The incumbent must demonstrate:

·    S/He must be a good problem-solver, analytical, innovative, a team builder and adaptable.

·    Excellent interpersonal skills

·    Well-developed accounting skills

·    Analytical/Problem solving skills

·    Decision making skills

·    Effective verbal and listening communications skills

·    Attention to detail and high level of accuracy

·    Effective organizational skills

·    Effective written communications skills

·    Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines

·       Active team player.

·       Flexible and adaptable.

·       Willing to travel to remote field areas with basic living conditions.

·       Good Report writing skill

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate preemployment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

WaterAid is an equal opportunities, disability-confident employer and committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality.