Primary purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to effectively and efficiently lead and manage the TECSES project’s Nepal finance and accounts, financial plan and budgetary control, ensure compliance the project and government rules and regulations at all times along with ensuring smooth financial and accounting transactions in accordance to standard international financial and accounting practices. These includes: Weekly cashflow forecasting, Payroll Accounting, Accounting purchase expenses, rents and lease costs, Accounting for cash purchases, fees and travel allowances.  Banking and payments to happen through bank accounts in Nepal in cooperation of Finnish finance team.  FM participates and produces data for monthly forecasting and annual budgeting as well as all Project’s statutory reporting for tax and other authorities in Nepal.

The Financial Manager is responsible for all daily financial accounting activities, accounting processes from data entry to collecting and archiving final documents in accordance with Nepal rules and legislation in close cooperation with a Finnish accounting team.  

The position is based in Kathmandu and requires travel to the Project areas. The position works under the supervision of and reports to the CTA and in matrix to CFO Finland.

Areas of responsibility

Planning and Organizing

• Contributes into annual, periodic and multi-year planning process of the TECSES project and ensures Project’s finance team annual action plan to achieve common goal for the project.
• Assists project’s management in assessing and managing project risks in collaboration with advisors. Supports Project’s management to finalize agreements with different stakeholders as and when required basis.
• Ensures legal requirements and compliance related to the Project including registration/ renewal, labor act, income tax act, statutory reporting in Nepal.
• Assists to develop required procedures and guidelines for internal controls of project activities.
• Provides support on Project’s financial tools ( Acubiz, NetSuite, Basware InvoiceReady)  to the project staffs, short term technical experts and other relevant stakeholders.
• Budgeting and forecasting: Participates and produces data for monthly forecasting and annual budgeting ensuring accuracy of the data of the Project. Prepares weekly cashflow forecasts for financial team in Finland.

Accounting and project finance operation

• As a member of management team, actively contributes in critically analyzing, assessing, evaluating, for the management of the project, and facilitate decision-making. Actively participates in regular project meetings and presents the financial progress, issues and challenges as required. Prepares official/ad hoc reports as required by the Project management, HO or other stakeholders.
• Travel and cash expenses /credit card activities (Acubiz): Supports to the internal and external users. Opening for new external user accounts in system. Monitors that payment claims in Acubiz are correct and accordance with allowance rules of the Project for payment. Cooperates with accounting team in Finland on income tax reporting to Nepal.
• Review details of AP-accounts ledger and ensure data quality. 
• Accounting for Purchases expenses: Keeps tracking and update list of assets purchased from the project. Registers the supplier information for approval procedure in NetSuite, ensures transfer of Purchase Invoice copies to Basware IR and makes postings into Basware InvoiceReady ( IR) Purchase Ledger account and Balance sheet together withhoulding tax. Monitors and enforces compliance with tax and financial reporting standards Reviews details of AP-accounts ledger and ensure data quality. 
• Conducts partner monitoring as agreed in subcontract agreement or as decided by management. 
• Coordinates and supervises the project´s procurement processes. 
• Responsible for payroll accounting in Nepal for salaries of projects employees as well as for fees and allowances for short-term specialists in the Project. Cooperates with accounting team in Finland on statutory reporting for income tax reporting and other funds in Nepal. Ensure SSF and Tax deposits into relevant government accounts and complete necessary process on monthly basis.
• Audit Management : Monitors and follows up on audit finding and ensure the recommendation and findings are addressed in due time in project and consortium organisations. 

Archiving

• Ensures filing system, electronic backup and hard copy documents are maintained in appropriate workspace, folders and drives. 
• Retains financial, legal and other key documents as required by law and donors. 
• Ensures documents are accessible to the limited but relevant staffs, auditors and maintained tracker.
• Other duties as considered necessary by the Chief Technical Advisor

Competence, experience, skills, knowledge 

• At least Bachelor´s degree in accounting, finance 
• Minimum 5 years of experience in similar positions with an international development organization in a multicultural environment. Extensive experience in procurement and administration including leading and facilitating skills. Prior experience in bilateral projects/programmes is an advantage. 
• Familiarity with accounting software, advanced Excel and MS Office skills. Advanced user of accounting systems. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) 
• Prior experience in Human Resource management. Excellent people management skills and strong ability to work with a wide range of individuals.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues across the organization. Ability to work under pressure in a structured, organized and responsive manner. Commitment to continuous learning and willingness develop professional skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Nepali.