Department: Finance
Location: Flexible - either London office, hybrid working, or fully remote from anywhere in the world
Reports to: Head of Programme Finance
Working pattern: Full time
About IWPR
The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 1991, with charitable status in the US, UK and the Netherlands. We give voice to people at the frontlines of conflict, crisis and transition to help them drive change and build more stable, just and inclusive societies. Drawing on three decades of experience in some of the world’s most challenging environments, we support media, civil society, democracy and governance, gender, and youth-focused projects in over 30 countries – promoting reliable information and responsible public debate and removing barriers to freedom of expression.
SUMMARY:
Experienced finance professional wanted to business partner programme teams and work closely with field finance, country directors and HQ finance. The work will include project management, proposal budgeting, forecasting and donor reporting.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the financial performance of all projects under their designated portfolio. You will ensure the accurate setup of financial systems in field offices, monitor financial compliance; and record expenses in MIP(Finance system). You will coordinate the regular production of field financial reports, proposal budgets and re-forecasting; provide support to maintain and set up monthly BVAs; lead on project specific audits; and train field staff as necessary.
You will also work closely with Country Directors and Field Finance Managers to ensure the business aspect of operations is managed properly. You will support the Head of Programme Finance with ad hoc requests, month-end postings, and intercompany cashflow forecasting and audit queries. Finally you will provide Advice to Regional Directors andCountry Directors, and work closely with both UK & US finance colleagues.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Financial Management
- In close consultation with field team and management, developing proposal budgets ensuring appropriate cost estimates are applied and budgets are in line with donor requirements
- Updating project budgets as required for internal budgeting purposes and or as required by donors, (working in close consultation with RDs and Programme Managers)
- Closely monitoring programmatic spend, preparing monthly budget versus actual reports (BVAs) for each project and reviewing with relevant stakeholders to analyse variances and agree action plans
- Ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to donors
- Tracking fund transfers between HQ and the Field Offices, posting monthly field reporting into IWPR’s financial system and reviewing other project-related postings in the financial system.
- Posting project income on a monthly basis and tracking donor receivables/deferred income.
- Preparing other financial reports and analysis for projects as required by management or donors
Initiating and supporting on all financial aspects of project closeouts in a timely manner
Compliance
- Developing a good understanding of donor (notably UK, European and US government) requirements and compliance, and ensuring these are understood by all programme delivery staff
- Monitoring IWPR’s fulfilment of financial management requirements, ensuring that projects meet their contractual requirements and comply with policies and regulations
- Maintaining strong financial management and accounting control systems for project expenditure and contributing towards improving and streamlining processes to maximise IWPR’s effectiveness and efficiency
- Managing programme audits and assisting in both the UK and US statutory audits as needed; preparing documents and liaising with auditors and field offices as necessary to ensure audits are completed on a timely basis and audit reports are submitted to the donor in accordance with contractual requirements
- Reviewing and processing invoices and programmatic payments to be made from HQ in accordance with IWPR accounting procedures and contract policies
- Maintain project financial and contractual files and a database of accounting documents including back up documentation, ensuring accurate records for all financial reporting from the field
Supporting Overseas Finance Teams
- Liaising directly with Regional Directors, Programme Managers and Field Office finance staff on financial issues and providing appropriate support
- Carrying out financial monitoring visits for the purposes of due diligence and spot checks. Providing support to implement the recommended changes
- Deliver training to field finance staff to enable them to comply with internal financial guidelines
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- ACA, ICMA, ACCA qualified (minimum 3 years post qualification) or professional equivalent
- Experience in the administrative and financial management of complex development programmes, and developing and managing budgets, forecasts and actuals
- Experience in the NGO/charity sector essential, preferably within an international organization;
- Experience in institutional grant budget proposal development, compliance, monitoring and reporting; including experience in managing FCDO, USG, EU, German and Norwegian government funding.
- In-depth knowledge of USG rules, regulations, current standards and guidelines, including NICRA
- Advanced knowledge of and ability in accounting principles and financial reporting including accounting software
- Strong people skills, both in partnering and managing
- Excellent numeracy & financial analysis skills, with exceptional attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines
- Self-starter able to work with limited direction, comfortable taking the initiative.
- Excellent level of oral and written English
- Ability to travel to our regional field offices for financial oversight and capacity building (max 3 weeks a year)
Principals only. No calls please. Only those who have been considered for an interview will be contacted.
IWPR is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, veteran status or pregnancy and maternity. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.