VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Organization: Swisscontact

Swisscontact is a leading partner organisation for the implementation of international development projects. We promote inclusive economic, social and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies.

Government of Nepal (GoN) and Government of Switzerland have been implementing Nepal Vocational Qualifications System Project (NVQS-P) since 2015. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is providing financial and technical assistance to the GoN (Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT)/Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST)) for the implementation of the project. Swisscontact Nepal has set up a technical assistance team- Project Support Unit (PSU) on behalf of SDC.

For the second Phase of NVQS-P, we invite applications from committed and experienced Nepali citizens for the following position.

Position: Finance Officer

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: NVQS PSU Office, Bhaktapur with occasional field-visits

Reports to: Finance and Admin Manager

Duration: One year with possibility of extension

Purpose of the Job

Under the direct supervision and leadership of the Finance and Admin Manager, this position is responsible to support for day to day financial operations of NVQS Project – II and its activities and ensure that the Swisscontact’s Project is running smoothly and without disruptions with respect to financial and reporting needs.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Compliance to the policies, rules/regulations, and guidelines

• Adhere relevant policies, procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines of Swisscontact Nepal (Financial and Operation Manuals, Code of Conduct Against Corruption, Conflict of Interest, Basic Operating Guideline (BoG), Local Security Management Plan, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guideline and other specific policies guidelines and manuals applicable for the NVQS-II)

2. Financial Monitoring and Reporting (60%)

• Carryout all operations required for authorizing and effectuating expenditures under all types of funding and ensuring the most rational use of those funds. This includes making calculations, requesting funds, checking supporting justifying documents, and making payments.
• Prepare monthly, half-yearly and year end closing of accounts.
• Prepare vouchers and journal entries continuously in line with Swisscontact requirements.
• Monitoring of the petty cash book ensuring the maximum amount never exceeds the limit.
• Make data entries to Accounting Software for monthly accounts and maintains the computerized accounting system.
• Review the claims from different vendors and disburse the payments Process and maintain payments of salaries and benefits of Swisscontact Project’s Staffs.
• Manage the reimbursement of project staff’s personal telephone calls and personal usage of office vehicles.
• Maintain bank accounts and prepare monthly Bank Reconciliation Statements.
• Ensure deduction at Source & Advance Payment of Income TAX & VAT from all kind payments and safe keeping of all Tax and VAT related documents.
• Support for the preparation of external audits and works with external auditors.
• Ensure the Fixed Asset register is maintained, regularly updated and physical verification done periodically.
• Ensure adequate provision for safeguarding office assets including insuring property, managing, and mitigating risk.
• Oversee and manage the stock ledger ensuring it is maintained and regularly updated for non-fixed assets, i.e. office supplies, publications, books, vehicle logbooks etc.

3. Budget Development and Technical Support (20%)

• Support to prepare budgets and monthly expenditure forecast as required.
• Contributes to the development of project budgets.
• Support to ensure that proposed budget aligns with donor requirements and SCN reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the Preparation of Yearly Plan of Operations (YPO).
• Maintains accurate and accessible records of budget for Project Offices at provinces.

4. Support to Review the Consultancy Contract and Financial Disbursements (20%)

• Reviews draft contracts and provides advice on financial compliance.
• Maintains archive of contracts and amendments both electronic and hard copies.
• Prepare and dispatch timely invoices as per contract with external parties.
• Support to prepare fund requisition to Swisscontact Head Office and plan fund request timing and transfer.
• Assist in monitoring of expenditure processes in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Support to provide orientation to project implementing partners on SC’s financial rules and monitor their account keeping.
• Verify financial reports from the partners when needed.
• Support for preparing monthly reports as per requirements of Project.
• Visit field locations, monitoring financial progress and providing support, as necessary.

5. Other Specific Responsibilities

• Professionally discharge other tasks assigned by the project management.
• Be proactive in bringing innovation and taking new initiative in the project in coordination with project management.
• Proactively seek and contribute to inter-project collaboration with other inhouse projects of Swisscontact Nepal whereas possible.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification and Experience

The individual must conform to the following qualifications and expertise:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a relevant field – Accountancy/Financial Management or the equivalent.
• Minimum of three years’ work experience in Account or Finance in development cooperation with donor agencies or NGO/INGOs.
• Ability to interpret financial procedures and standards and their application

Competencies

• High level of motivation and good communication, social, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail, and to meet deadlines.
• Respect and sensitivity towards cultural, gender, ethnicity, and religious diversity.
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the project and outside.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Excellent time management, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to keep sensitive information confidential.
• Competent IT skills, including experience of Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali are a must.

Working Conditions and Environment

• This will be applicable in accordance with the Swisscontact Staff Manual.

Last date to apply: 5 December 2020

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements can submit – (a) Job Application Form, (b) Current CV with at least two referees and (c) a Cover Letter to [email protected] latest by 15 December 2020. The detailed job description and Job Application Form can be obtained through our website.
https://www.swisscontact.org/nepal/jobs

Please mention the position applied for in the “subject” line of your email.

Swisscontact Nepal shall not entertain any phone enquiries or other such solicitations for these positions. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process. Swisscontact Nepal reserves the right to reject any or all applications.

Swisscontact Nepal promotes workforce diversity and applies positive discrimination to candidates from discriminated groups (Women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi/Terai and other minority communities).