Finance Officer

Finance Officer

Vacancy : 7054
Unit: Nepal Corporate
Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: Nepal Country Office, Kathmandu, Nepal
Reporting to: Country Representative, IUCN Nepal
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: P1
Expected start date: 01 December 2024
Type of contract: Fixed-term (13 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 30 October 2024

BACKGROUND

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a local recruitment. Only Nepal nationals, individuals with residence status or the appropriate employment visa for Nepal are eligible to apply.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the general accounting systems, and ensuring reliability of accounting records and timeliness of financial reports of the Country Office in accordance with IUCN policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
•  To direct and control the administration of all financial, treasury and accounting activities in accordance with IUCN policy and in compliance with fiscal, legal ands statutory requirements of the host country.
• To provide country office management with guidance on financial guidance on financial management by assisting in the planning and budgeting for the country’s financial operations and providing the analysis and interpretation of the results for sound management decision and action.
• To provide projects undertaken in the country the appropriate financial support for the efficient and effective project implementation.
• To coordinate and provide the required financial information and requirements of the Asia Regional Office and IUCN HQ.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Accounting and Reporting:

• Supervise the recording classifying and summarizing of the financial transactions of IUCN Country Office and ensuring the proper update and maintenance of the ERP system to ensure that the accounting system provides the basis for an efficient financial information system for both internal and external users and that is compliant with legal and statutory requirements and IUCN policy.
• Analyze and interpret the IUCN financial statements and project financial reports and provide regular reports to management.
• Recommend courses of action to improve efficiency and economy.
• Review and provide guidance and coaching to accounting staff ensuring accuracy, correctness and completeness of transactions recorded.
• Ensure the timeliness of required financial reports to the Country Office management, Asia Regional Office and donors
• Review and ensure that debit/credit notes are properly invoiced and that the current accounts are regularly reconciled with Regional Office
• Ensure that all Balance Sheet accounts are reviewed and reconciled each month

2. Treasury and Cash Management

• Prepare the Country Office cash flow projections and monitor the continued availability of fund to cover the requirements of the Country Office operations and its components projects and programmes
• Formulate and implement an approved plan to maximize the yield on idle or unspent funds of the Country Office
• Review and ensure that disbursements are properly supported with evidential documentation and that they are properly identified into its cost center or project codes.
• Monitor exchange rates for non ledger currencies, and obtain necessary approvals before converting foreign currency amounts greater than USD 50,000 equivalent
• Cash and Bank balances are reconciled with the records maintained

3. Planning and Budgeting

• Assist in Planning and Budgeting for the Country Office operations and its projects and programmes, taking lead in the financial plans and budgets and ensuring that the assumptions, parameters, guidelines and policies in planning are complied with.
• Review and monitor budget performance of the country operations and its projects and programmes and make recommendations to improve performance.
• Ensure timely preparation, distribution and review of monthly management reports for the country office and projects
• Assist programme staff in the preparation of proposal / project budgets, including use of approved budget templates
• Assist programme staff in the preparation of the ABC list, including verification of data against approved budgets and proposals.

4. Internal Control:

• Continuously review all transactions to ensure compliance with Internal Control System and thereby ensure the provision of accurate and timely financial information, protection of assets and adherence to policies, system and procedures and the smooth and orderly implementation of the plans and activities.

5. Fixed Asset Management

• Ensure the identification and proper inventory of fixed assets of the Country Office thru the conduct of an annual inventory to determine their location and condition for proper disposition
• Determine accuracy of depreciation in accordance with IUCN policy and that the assets are adequately protected

6. Payroll

• Ensure that the systems and procedures are in place to enable accurate preparation and disbursement of the payroll in compliance with statutory requirements
• Sign off on the monthly payroll by reviewing and checking the accuracy of amounts to be paid to staff

7. Audit

• Coordinate with auditors in the external and internal audit of the Country Office and its component programmes and projects
• Ensure the closure and resolution of audit findings

8. Other

• Carry out all matters pertaining to finance (including taxation and other financial issues) and give advice and support to all those needing it..
• Where required undertake financial assessments, investigations and capacity building in relation to financial systems and financial management of implementing partners and IUCN members.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Commerce, Banking, or a relevant field. A Bachelor’s Degree with additional years of relevant experience, coupled with generally-accepted international accounting standards certification (CPA, CAT, ACCA, etc.) may be accepted.
• At least 5 years of relevant progressive experience in accounting and financial management.
• Previous experience in working with a multinational/cultural organization will be of definite advantage to the position.
•  Should have very good command of English language. Knowledge of local language is essential.
• Proficient in computer application and office productivity software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and accounting platforms, preferably ERP (PeopleSoft, SAP, Agresso, etc.). Experience in using web-based applications is essential.

SALARY

The minimum gross annual salary for this position is NPR 1’425’326. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN’s compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.