Position: Accountant
Location (base): Biocomp Office Lalitpur 
Reports to: Project Manager RIVER+
Start Date: February 2024 
Programme: RIVER+: Reduce and Intercept, Value add through Establishment of a Recycling plant for low-grade plastics and used beverage cartons in Nepal

Biocomp specifically encourages women to apply for this position

Biocomp Nepal

Biocomp https://www.biocompnepal.com/ is a social enterprise in Lalitpur working in waste management and recycling. Our mission is to introduce sustainable waste management solutions and create new innovative products from recyclables for the local market. Biocomp will divert 9000 tons of plastic from the streets, rivers and municipal waste stream annually. These plastic recycling activities will be branded under the name Reclaim Nepal https://www.reclaim-nepal.com/ 

RIVER+

The RIVER+ project is funded by the World Bank and Parley for the Oceans, as part of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) https://www.please-project.org/ project. The aim of the PLEASE project is to catalyse actions that reduce the flow of plastic pollution into South Asian Seas. PLEASE is implemented by South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP). 

The RIVER+ project will reduce the plastic pollution in Nepal by establishing a complete value chain for the collection and recycling of Used Beverage Cartons UBCs, low-grade plastics, and Multi-Layer Plastics (MLP). The project adds value to waste to reduce plastics in the streets and rivers and to reduce the air pollution from burned plastics. Through this project Biocomp creates decent jobs for youth and women in waste management with active gender-responsive programming. The project will manufacture recycled plastic boards from the collected recyclables. The project will collect and process 10 tons of UBC and low- grade plastics per day at the end of the project and up to 25 tons per day, 9000 tons annually in year 3 (post project period). The project start date is February 1st 2024 and will be implemented in a 12 months period. Biocomp’s partners for this project are People in Need (PIN) and Clean Up Nepal. 

Scope of work

The ideal candidate has 7 years of experience in accounting with a focus on donor funded projects. Additional experience in the commercial sector is preferred. The accountant reports to the project manager of RIVER+ but will also work directly with the CEO on reporting, financial planning and proposal writing. The accountant keeps track of the project budget and expenditure and ensures that the project staff complies with financial and procurement policies. The RIVER+ project is a unique collaboration between the private sector (Biocomp is a Pvt. Ltd. for profit social enterprise) and an INGO (PIN). Ideally, the candidate understands the culture in for profit companies and in not for profit organisations. The accountant will work with our partners on financial planning and reporting using the donor’s templates. 

Objective of this role

• To support the successful implementation of the RIVER+ project by providing excellent accounting services to the project and the project team.  

Accounting and Reporting

• Provide support with setting up improved administrative systems
• Prepare monthly financial forecasts
• Develop weekly and monthly financial reports, progress updates and other project related reports to the management
• Be responsible for all related finance and accounting work and work with auditor to timely prepare audited Project financial statements
• Support with the development of the annual report
• Maintain petty cash transactions; this includes writing of receipts, preparation of payment request form, receipt and disbursement of cash and clearance of advances
• Develop project specific budgets to be used in resource mobilisation 

Budget Management:

• Track internal and external resources to maintain a positive cashflow
• Prepare project budgets and cost estimates
• Monitor project expenses and ensure adherence to budget constraints
• Identify and address budget variations promptly

Procurement and Vendor Management:

• Support the procurement process for recyclables, machinery, construction and services in compliance with Biocomp’s procurement policies.
• Support with the evaluation and selection of vendors and subcontractors
• Make timely payments for materials and services
• Ensure timely payments of clients and debtors 

Project Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation and keep the project management dashboard updated for the financial indicators
• Archive project documentation for future reference

Control

• Check and ensure that all expenditures of projects are in accordance with the financial and procurement policies. This includes ensuring receipts to be obtained for all payments
• Check budget lines to ensure that all transactions are booked to the correct budget lines
• Follow up bank transfers. This includes preparing the bank transfer requests, submitting them to the bank and keeping track of the transfers
• Ensure Petty Cash to be reviewed and updated ensuring that records are up-to-date
• Continuously improve project systems & procedures to enhance internal controls to satisfy audit requirements

Human Resources

• Salary administration and payment
• Administration of (sick) leave requests

Qualifications and Experience:

• Seven or more years of accounting experience (references required)
• Degree in accounting or finance
• Proficient in accounting software and tools
• Knowledge on local tax systems such as VAT, TDS and other taxes
• Strong understanding on setting up and using financial systems for grant funded projects
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience in coaching project team members to strengthen their abilities and skill sets
• Experience in working in international teams 
• Strong attention to deadlines and budgetary guidelines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent presentation skills