Position: Finance and Compliance Officer
No. of requirement: 1
Division: BBC Media Action
Reports to: Finance Manager
Band: C
Location-based: Kathmandu with possible travel to field locations
Contract: One Year (possibility of extension subject to funding)
Organisation structure: The Finance and Compliance Officer will report to the Finance Manager.

Job responsibilities and accountability

Context

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reach millions of people through creative communication and trusted media, helping people have their say, understand their rights, responsibilities, and take action to transform their own lives.​​​ We work across a range of thematic areas including health, governance and rights, resilience and humanitarian response and we partner with civil society, local media and governments to deliver our work. We have been working in Nepal since 2007 addressing a range of development issues including climate change adaptation, governance, health and humanitarian response.

BBC Media Action Nepal is seeking potential applicants for the position of “Finance and Compliance Officer”.  The ideal candidate shall provide day-to-day operational support to BBC Media Action Nepal’s finance function under the direct supervision of the Finance Manager. He/she shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, preparing reports, and monitoring compliance with donor requirements, internal policies, statutory regulations, and procurement guidelines for a designated project. 

“The role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Job Purpose

The Finance and Compliance Officer will provide day-to-day operational support to BBC Media Action Nepal’s finance function under the direct supervision of the Finance Manager. The Finance and Compliance Officer will assist in maintaining accurate financial records, preparing reports, and monitoring compliance with donor requirements, internal policies, statutory regulations, and procurement guidelines for a designated project. S/he will support project teams and partners on both financial and compliance matters, escalating complex or sensitive issues to the Finance Manager for review and decision-making. She/he will also support to ensure that all BBC Media Action financial transactions are value for money.

Main Duties

1. Financial Duties

• Maintain and ensure that the overall financial transactions in the office are undertaken in accordance with BBC policies and procedures and its accounting standards; especially ensure necessary supporting documents is maintained.
• Post entries to the accounting software timely ensuring correct Project and Donor codes as per the budget availability and BBC Chart of Accounts.
• Check payment requests against authorisation, completeness, accuracy, coding, originality and compliance with BBC, Donors, Government, and other relevant requirements.
• Assist Finance Manager to prepare and forward monthly financial reports, quarterly reforecasts and year end reports including the bank reconciliation to UK office.
• Ensure that petty cash procedures are strictly followed and well managed. Ensure there is adequate petty cash and advance money in the safe to ensure timely payments and advances to the personnel going to the field.
• Visits to partner organisations and ensuring their documentation and filing system is in place and order and reviewing their reports against the vouchers and supporting documents.
• Initiate the process with Inland Revenue Office to obtain the staff/ organisation’s individual tax clearance certificate.
• Liaise and coordinate with banking partner for performing all bank related operations.
• Ensure all payment documents/vouchers are properly filed, numbered, and located safely with correct labelling.
• Regular follow up with vendors to ensure the vendors collect their payments on time] and obtaining receipt acknowledgement after payments to suppliers and partners also on all the bank-to-bank transfers.
• Ensure any differences or discrepancies are brought to the attention, and proactively follow-up on appropriate action is taken.
• Follow and ensure that working and staff advances are settled timely.
• Check spending against effective use of resources that mainly apply best value for money principles.

2. Compliance Duties

• Monitor compliance with donor contracts, grant agreements, procurement procedures, and relevant national laws, including the Income Tax Act and Companies Act, flagging any discrepancies to the Finance Manager.
• Support in conducting compliance reviews of project expenditures, procurement processes, and partner financial reports.
• Maintain a compliance checklist for the assigned project and follow up on any identified gaps.
• Assist in preparing for donor, internal, and statutory audits by compiling required documentation and clarifications.
• Prepare the tax deduction list as per the government rules and deposit it in tax office every month ensuring no fail in deposit of withheld TDS within the allotted timeframe and provide the tax vouchers to concern person or suppliers.
• Support in ensuring that all procurement and contracting processes follow BBC Media Action and donor policies.
• Provide staff and partners with guidance on financial compliance requirements and templates.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Completion of University degree in accounting, business studies, management or any other similar discipline.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of finance reports and budget variance analysis.
• Comprehensive knowledge in working on Excel spreadsheets.
• Experience in the usage of computers, emails, internet and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• Strong communication skills including the ability to write well in English and Nepali.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial transactions and employee files.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
• Ability to work in demanding situations and sometimes under pressure and in an organised systematic manner.