Job Description

Title: Head of Finance and GSS

Company Name: Practical Action - Bangladesh.

Vacancy: Not specific

Job Location: Dhaka

Employment Status: Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ A Master degree in Finance, Management, Accounting or any relevant academic field

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 7 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ About the Role: The Head of Finance and General Support Services (GSS) plays a leadership role for directing and managing finances and GSS for cost-efficient and smooth operation of the country program. The incumbent must ensure that procurement of goods and services is every degree consistent with organizational policy and ensure the safety and security of the country program.
∎ Department Finance and GSS
∎ Reporting to Country Director
∎ Direct reports Finance Team at Country office and matrix to Fields Accountants
∎ Location Dhaka - with visits to field offices
∎ Duration Three year (renewal subject to availability of funds & performance)
∎ Travel Occasional international travel may be required
∎ Internal and External Relationships: The post-holder will report directly to the Country Director. There will also be close collaboration with the rest of the Country Office teams (and all others departments and field offices). She/he will also work with UK team and finance groups. Liaison will be required with the different stakeholders at national levels. Including banks authorities, audits agencies, UN agencies and sectors leads, sister INGOs, implementing partners, current and potential donors, and others.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ Accountabilities:
∎
∎ The Head of Finance and GSS will be accountable to deliver the following tasks in contribution to the country office senior management. Main Responsibilities: -
∎ Financial Management (50%):
∎ Provide financial oversight for the organization and be responsible for the entire range of financial management, from daily operations to high-level management.
∎ Provide controllership function in order to ensure finances are managed according to policies & procedures and to Accepted Accounting Standards.
∎ Prepare financial projections and budgets for the Country Office and for approval by Country Director and the UK Finance Office.
∎ Control costs and enforce adherence to financial plan and projections.
∎ Monitor the overall liquidity and cash flow position of the Country Office.
∎ Provide sound and timely advice to the Country Director on all matters with financial implications to the Country Office to enable effective decision making
∎ Monitor and control all cash and bank accounts operated by the Country Office to ensure prudent operations. This will include ensuring that all monies transferred from UK Office or any other place to the Country Office are properly received, recorded and safeguarded.
∎ Manage annual audits and project specific audits; liaise with external auditors, tax consultants and Government Revenue Authorities.
∎ Ensure that all statutory and non-statutory deductions are made properly, promptly and are remitted to the respective authority as required by law.
∎ Responsible for setting up and maintaining budgets at the levels of Project, Programme, and Country Office; maintain monthly management accounts and distribute information to appropriate managers, budget holders and UK Office for the monitoring, management control and forecasting of all projects and programmes within the Country Office.
∎ Manage the payment process for goods and services required and received for the benefit of the organisation and that such payments are properly analysed and recorded in the relevant books of accounts and that the best terms are received.
∎ Responsible for the management, upgrading and security of the Sun Accounting Systems according to the Practical Action accounting requirements. This includes verification of the accounting entries, updating the information in various currencies and ensuring reconciliation and backups.
∎ Extend timely support to Programme Development, Fundraising and Partner/Field offices
∎ Provide advice and feedback to Team Leaders on key project/team financial management issues
∎ Conducts Financial Reviews of Practical Action field operations and activities and report findings and recommendations to the Country Director and Management Team.
∎ Be responsible for the financial assessment of partners, incorporate capacity building activities in project budgets and deliver capacity building programmes to address the gaps
∎ Financial Reporting (20%):
∎ Responsible for the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc financial reports and accounts.
∎ Ensure that financial reports are timely and accurate and are in accordance with the International Accounting Standards and the NGO and donor requirements.
∎ Ensure that management and statutory reports are prepared, shared with the Country Director/management team and submitted in a timely manner.
∎ Ensures that donor financial reports are prepared on a timely basis in accordance with the funding terms and conditions and audited where necessary
∎ Manages the preparation and maintenance of a variety of financial records and reports including those related to the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, donor claims, payroll, inventories, budgets and fixed assets, ensures the purchasing of materials, supplies and equipment are conducted in accordance with Practical Action policies and procedures
∎ Monitor and provide information and guidance to the Country Director and relevant programme staff on project expenditure and Donor reporting according to signed contractual obligations
∎ Ensure the Project Database is properly updated and ensure compliance financial contractual commitments
∎ Risk Management (10%):
∎ Prevent financial loss due to fraud or error by ensuring that assets are safeguarded and closely monitored and maintained through adequate internal control systems.
∎ Ensure adequate insurance of all Country Office premises, furniture, machinery, equipment and any other quantifiable assets.
∎ Ensure that the Country Office complies with all legal, regulatory, and audit requirements, including submitting accurate and timely relevant reports to relevant bodies as stipulated by law or agreements.
∎ Ensure safekeeping of all sensitive documents e.g. used chequebooks/leaves, log books, LPO book etc.
∎ Responsible for maintenance of the financial records of the Country Office in cooperation with the International Finance Manager at UK Office.
∎ Responsible for the prudent management of all credit control and financial management of personal loans, working float loans and advances to staff as well as informing the staff and their line managers on any balances outstanding.
∎ Provide details of the financial performance on a monthly basis and draw the attention of the management to any critical matters that may require attention.
∎ Liaison (10%):
∎ Liaise with UK Office on all financial matters and ensure that the Country Office is kept abreast and informed of financial developments within the Group.
∎ Liaise with field offices and staff on all financial and administrative matters.
∎ Maintain a professional image for the Country Office when dealing with suppliers, NGOs, Government of Bangladesh - Ministries/departments and NGOAB and any other external agencies.
∎ While maintaining responsibility to the Country Director, ensure that close liaison is maintained with the International Finance Manager and International Director who are responsible to the Chief Executive for devising, maintaining and enforcing Group Financial Procedures.
∎ Actively participate in donor liaison functions (regular meetings, expositions, events, outreach, etc.)
∎ Strategic Aliance (10%):
∎ Contribute to the development and implementation of Practical Action in Bangladesh Strategic Plan and annual operating plans.
∎ Liaise with all departments in the development of financial plans and in financial management.
∎ Disseminate accounting guidelines and information provided by relevant accounting bodies to ensure adherence to professional ethics and standards of accounting.
∎ Participate in SMT meetings and provide strategic input and advice in monitoring and evaluating financial operations across the Country office.
∎ Develop and maintain financial systems for the Bangladesh Office in consultation with the UK finance.
∎ Provide sound and timely advice to the Country Director on all matters with financial implications to the Country Office to enable effective decision making and manage risk
∎ Other:
∎ Any other duties commensurate with the level and grade of the role which may from time to time, reasonably be requested by the line manager.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Knowledge & Experience:
∎ Minimum of seven years of experience with INGOs in finance management within sustainable development.
∎ Experience in leading and managing teams, (face to face and distance teams), including the related financial management.
∎ Excellent knowledge of accounting systems and procedures.
∎ Relevant experience in preparation of donor reports (multiple donors).
∎ Excellent Computer skills in Excel, WP and Windows etc.
∎ Skills, Abilities and Competencies :
∎ Proven senior management and line management skills.
∎ Trends and developments within thematic area of work.
∎ Outstanding communication and reporting skills, across the organization and with donors and stakeholders at the highest level.
∎ Partner and stakeholder engagement and relationship management
∎ Strong inter-personal communication skill
∎ Additional Requirements for the Role: :
∎ Proactive with a high team spirit and ability to work with colleagues at different levels.
∎ Expertise with financial management, and monitoring expenditures
∎ Outcome focused.
∎ Gender & culture sensitive, Safeguarding

Salary: Negotiable

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 6 Sep 2021

Company Information:
∎ 21 Aug 2021
∎ Practical Action - Bangladesh.

Category: Accounting/Finance