Project Overview

Deloitte Consulting is the implementing partner for the USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity, a five-year project to increase Nepali private sector participation in targeted global value chains by making them competitive, resilient, and sustainable. The Activity will chart a new growth path for private companies by supporting them to capitalize on global opportunities – targeting quality and high- value exports (of products and services). It aims to foster sustainable growth, in selected value chains, by incentivizing actors (both private and public) through investments, innovations, employment, and business enabling the environment to expand its integration into the global market. The Activity will work to achieve the goal by working on the following objectives:

• To increase access to market-based financial and non-financial services;
• To increase productivity in sectors with high growth and employment potential; and
• To improve the investment climate and business enabling environment, for targeted sectors.

Deloitte is seeking qualified candidates to fill the role of Finance and Operations Manager to be based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Currently this position is for the period of one year with opportunity for renewal.

Finance and Operations Manager Description

The Finance and Operations Manager is responsible for project field financial management of the project within USAID rules and regulations & Deloitte financial management guidelines. This includes but is not limited to advising on local tax laws, reviewing payroll, reviewing payment to vendors, oversight of detailed record-keeping, and reviewing data entry into standard project accounting systems. This will include ensuring all legal responsibilities are being followed, and all policies are being implemented. He/She will be responsible for the field financial management of the project, including managing, preparing, administering and directing control of the field budget. He/She will advise the project leadership (Chief of Party and Director of Finance, Administration and Compliance) and Objective Leads to lead field inputs on financial management of the project, coordinate on local procurement, direct administrative staff and functions, manage human resources and ensure timely preparation of monthly financial reports and reporting to home office.

The position reports directly to the Director of Finance, Administration, and Compliance (DFAC).

Responsibilities:

Financial Accounting and Administration

• Manage and monitor all local financial transactions in adherence with standard established field financial management processes and procedures, and chart of accounts
• Oversee Imprest (accounting and financial system) reports to ensure they are prepared and submitted to home office in a timely manner as per the Imprest calendar
• Ensure compliance of Deloitte financial management guidelines, policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations and mission orders while making financial payments
• Review and verify finances for all project payment vouchers as well as subcontractor invoices
• Manage full lifecycle of payment processing and ensure that expenses are allowable, allocable and reasonable
• Ensure accuracy and completeness. Supervise daily entry of transactions into standard project accounting tool
• Review monthly reconciliation of local bank accounts
• Maintain banking relationship, escalate issues and regularly monitor timely and accurate transfer of funds to minimize bank errors, exchange losses and bank charges
• Review Petty Cash operations

Forecasting and Budget Management

• Manage and monitor local operating budgets, recurring costs, accruals and pipeline
• Monitor & present budget vs Expenses report to DFAC and report action plan in case of variances.
• Take lead on preparation of field spend plan, forecasting of budget and accrual reports
• Take lead on management of field operational budget and re-alignment as needed
• Design systems monitor and forecast cash requirements to meet operational and project expenditures & coordinate with Operations team.
• Anticipate and ensure appropriate level of cash balance is maintained for smooth running of project and request adjustments as appropriate, in coordination with home office
• Maintain vendor financial relationships and monitor financial status and management of local subcontracts and vendor agreements

Financial Reporting

• Oversee inputs to M&E/M staff on client reporting
• Lead cost-based data analysis for FCPA/Anti-Corruption reporting to Deloitte HO
• Lead development and delivery of Annual Foreign Tax Report to USAID
• Conduct ad-hoc analysis and reporting of field-based costs for project leadership
• Provide input into monthly, quarterly and annual project and client financial reporting
• Manage all field-based travel expenses and reporting (advances, reimbursements, requests) and advise on compliance with federal travel rules and regulations

Financial Procedures, Audit and Tax Compliance:

• Design and implement the financial statements and obtain tax clearance certificates for the local tax audit purposes and communicate reporting to immediate supervisor
• Lead audit response for internal audits and for annual third party local tax audit as per the income tax act of local government. Review and address questions of concern from auditors in consultation with DCOP and HO Federal Audit Support Team (FAST)
• Responsible for ensuring all financial records and backup documentation are saved daily/monthly on the server and ensure they are readily available for audits
• Lead project activities on tax filing requirements, as appropriate, with local government and obtain annual tax clearance certificate from the local tax authority
• Manage entire life cycle of VAT management and reimbursement for the project including client coordination
• Manage project compliance with regard to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) implementation and filing requirements, including timely filing with local government
• Maintain & establish internal controls and instill discipline in other project teammates
• Escalate and advise DCOP on any suspected fraud, red flags, or deficiencies which have potential impact on the internal control system
• Participate as key selection panelist for local procurement and vendor selections in accordance with current policies and guidelines
• Design and develop local job aids, training materials or other reference documents to ensure expense compliance on the project
• Draft local project policy memos, inform policy development and enforce compliance with project policies
• Take initiative to advise project management on process improvement and creating procedures,better internal control mechanisms, or risk mitigation techniques
• Coordinate with technical and Operations team on close-out procedures (as applicable)
• Escalate issues as appropriate to protect the project and to ensure compliance and ethical conduct on all financial, operational, and administrative matters
• Organize, conduct and coordinate training on financial management systems to other technical team members and junior administrative staff
• Share challenges, best practices and lessons learned with project leadership and global network of colleagues
• Carry out any other related responsibilities assigned by the COP

HR and Payroll Administration

• Oversee the preparation & maintenance of local hire payroll, payslips and all personnel reports on a monthly basis in accordance with local labor laws and project policies
• Advise on tax withholdings and remittances to local authorities
• Assist the project leadership team with establishing project salary scale and conducting market research if and when appropriate
• Stay abreast of local labor laws and advise project leadership on personnel manual and employment agreement content
• Assist the project leadership team with preparing client rate approval documentation when appropriate
• In coordination with COP and project leadership, lead the recruitment, negotiation, termination, and hiring of local resources
• Manage local staff and consultant recruitment processes
• Lead annual local staff performance review process & provide support, guidance, coaching to staff to complete their goal setting and performance evaluations within the deadlines.
• Ensure all HR internal controls are sound and in place
• Develop & amend job descriptions for local project positions
• Responsible for confidential management of employee and personnel records
• Ensure that employee insurance policies are in place and renew annually
• Monitor and manage proper completion of employee timesheets and oversee the tracking and reporting of leave balances as per project personnel manual

Other Supervisory and Administrative Duties

• Supervise junior finance and admin staff
• Supervise Admin staff on photocopying, printing, filing as needed, primarily as related to financial and HR record-keeping
• Provide inputs with regards to asset and inventory management and monitoring of office supplies, transport expenses, etc.
• Assist with monitoring security and communications with local team
• Supervise office operations and administration
• Provide backup of critical tasks for DFAC in the event of leave or sick time

Qualifications:

• Fluent in written and spoken Nepali
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Master’s Degree in relevant discipline
• Minimum of 7 years in similar, progressive role(s) supporting donor projects in development work (USAID experience in is preferred)
• Supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards
• Proficiency with USG rules and regulations required
• Team player, willing to take direction from project management and work with others
• Demonstrated track record in ethics, integrity and maintaining confidentiality with sensitive data and information
• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Sound computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office® applications, particularly Excel and Word; Experience with MS Access or Project a plus.
• IT knowledge and proficiency a plus
• Experience with Quickbooks or other standard Accounting packages a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills and Writing skills
• Flexible and adaptive personality
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment
• Self-starter, willing to take initiative, remain accountable, take ownership of work product and escalate issues as appropriate
• Dedicated to professional development, improvement and open to receiving constructive feedback
• Willing and open to receive training on standard processes and procedures

Application Instructions:

• DCOP LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Please ensure resume/application DOES NOT INCLUDE personal information such as gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, religion.