Overview
The Finance Coordinator is responsible for budget development, financial monitoring, forecasting, donor financial reporting review, and project budget setup. The role ensures project budgets are accurate, realistic, compliant with donor requirements, and aligned with programme plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the preparation of budgets for new proposals, extensions, top-ups, and amendments.
- Coordinate inputs from Programme, Grants, HR, Supply Chain, Administration, and Area Offices.
- Ensure budgets are aligned with implementation plans, staffing structures, procurement plans, and donor requirements.
- Review cost assumptions, exchange rates, shared costs, indirect costs, and co-funding requirements.
- Lead budget modifications and assess whether changes fall within donor flexibility limits or require formal approval.
- Maintain clear documentation, approvals, and version control for all budgets and modifications.
- Lead the monthly preparation and updating of BFU/BvA reports.
- Review actual expenditure, commitments, forecasts, remaining balances, and projected variances.
- Lead BFU/BvA meetings with Budget Holders and relevant departments.
- Agree on corrective actions with Budget Holders and follow up on implementation.
- Review donor financial reports before submission to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Coordinate with Grants and Programme teams to resolve discrepancies between financial and narrative reports.
- Support donor queries, audits, financial verifications, and project close-out processes.
- Provide guidance on donor rules, eligible costs, reporting requirements, and budget flexibility.
- Lead the creation and maintenance of project budgets in Dynamics.
- Review system-generated reports and resolve budget-control or project-setup issues.
- Maintain supporting documentation for project creation, budget uploads, and system changes.
- Coordinate with regional or headquarters teams on technical system issues when required.
- Act as the main Finance focal point for budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
- Advise teams on the financial implications of operational decisions.
- Support the development of realistic spending and implementation plans.
- Provide training and coaching on budget management, donor compliance, and financial reporting.
Required Experience
Minimum five years of relevant experience in budgeting, financial reporting, grants finance, or project financial management, including experience in a senior technical or coordination role. Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, and donor compliance. Advanced Excel skills. Ability to analyze complex financial data and identify risks or inconsistencies. Strong planning, communication, presentation, and meeting-facilitation skills. Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-Finance colleagues. Ability to challenge assumptions constructively and enforce deadlines. Strong leadership, coaching, problem-solving, and stakeholder-management skills. High level of integrity, accuracy, professional judgement, and attention to detail. Ability to manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment. Previous experience in an international NGO, humanitarian, or development organization is strongly preferred.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (mandatory). Professional certification, such as ACCA, CPA, CMA, CIMA, or an equivalent qualification, is an advantage.
