Senior Finance Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION Action on Poverty in Vietnam Position: Senior Finance Officer

Effective date: July 2021

Contract type: Full-time, definite-term contract (renewable)

Work location: Based in Hanoi, Vietnam with frequent travels to the fields

Reports to: Finance Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

The Senior Finance Officer will work within the Resource Management of AOP in Vietnam with the purpose is to ensure effectiveness and compliance of AOP in Vietnam financial policies and procedures across different programs and projects funded by different donors. The position will provide support in financial management and accounting of programs by working closely with Products and Services Department and Finance Team. The position will act as a financial liaison with program and project partners to ensure all financial and accounting procedures are carried out in compliance with AOP policies, donors’ requirements, national law and regulations.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Key Responsibilities & Specific Tasks 1. Develop financial reporting mechanism and process, build partners’ and staff’s capacity in finance

Properly coach, advise and monitor partners in program/project finance management and accounting including preparation of reports, opening and managing accouting books;
By providing timely support and capacity building, ensure partners understand well and strictly comply to AOP’s financial policies and cost norms, in accordance with each donor’s requirements;
Design, review and update program/project financial guidelines to partners;
Actively seek initiatives to improve the outcomes and effectiveness of program/project financial management and reporting in compliance with donors’ requirements;
Support identification and design, where necessary, appropriate training for staff and partners in the areas of finance to build capacity in financial management and planning, particularly in regards to budgeting and donor reporting.

2. Facilitate and monitor program/project financial management and reporting of partners

Act as a financial liaison with partners of various projects;
Monitor, collect and verify the financial books and reports that partners submit to AOP monthly and ensure their accuracy and compliance with AOP’s budget plan and financial procedures;
Periodically visit partners’ offices in project sites to check their program/project accounting documents and financial reports to ensure they are accurate and in compliance with AOP’s budget plan, cost norms, partner agreements and financial procedures;
Check payment and transfer requests from partners and related supporting documents to ensure compliance with accouting standards;
Verify relevant procurement procedures, check and verify purchase orders, quotations, contracts, payment requests, invoices, receipts, vouchers and other financial documents for approval;
File copies of partners’ project accounting documents and financial reports properly and easy to access;
Provide necessary assistance to microfinance program as required;
Provide necessary assistance to accounting and financial management activities of project’s social enterprise as required.

3. Facilitate tax procedures

Facilitate tax refund procedures for program/project and partners;
Engage in payroll management and personal income tax (PIT) declaration and exemption for expatriate staff;
Ensure program/project documents are in line with tax regulations for subsequent PIT exemption and VAT refund/ exemption.

4. Program/project budgeting

Develop budget formats of program/project and ensure they are in compliance with donors’ requirements, uniformed and easy to consolidate;
Check and monitor the budgets of program/project to ensure they complies with formats and budget allocation;
Engage in budget planning for program/project and its activities.

5. Prepare program/project financial reports for donors, support auditing

Prepare and verify required financial reports for programs and projects at national level;
Prepare monthly synthesis financial updates for programs and projects;
Periodically prepare financial reports to donors accurately and in compliance with donors’ requirements, cost norms, formats, processes, deadlines, and follow AOP financial manual;
Accompany internal/external auditors to conduct audit visits to partners’ offices in project sites;
Provide auditor with sufficient and appropriate information;
Facilitate the realisation of audit recommendations.

6. Others

Provide support to Operations & HR Team in office finance and administrative activities;
Engage in other program activities and field trips;
Participate in organising occasional office events and activities;
Actively participate in internal and external meetings, ie. by taking minutes, or preparing and delivering presentations;
Other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education ▪ University degree and/or equivalent professional qualification, preferably in finance and accounting. Work experience

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in accounting or finance;
Experience in PIT declaration for expats is an advantage;
Experience in not-for-profit sector and INGOs is preferable.

Technical knowledge and skills

Familiar with accounting softwares;
Exeperience with international aid program fundings and financial management and reporting;
Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload;
Ability to work effectively within a team;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in Vietnamese and English, both spoken and written;
Good coaching skill;
Sensitivity to cultural differences, ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts;
Willingness to travel to project sites on a regular basis;
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);
Excellent working knowledge of spreadsheets and databases;
Familiarity with AOP’s thematic areas of work is an asset.

Languages

Fluent English and Vietnamese, both spoken and written.

Attitude

Detail-oriented and careful
Diligent, proactive and independent
Patient, friendly and supportive

Adherence to

Poverty and injustice eradication
Gender equality

HOW TO APPLY Submit CV and cover letter in English with the subject line of “Senior Finance Officer – candidate full name” to recruitment@actiononpoverty.org.vn. Please note that this position is intended for a Vietnamese national. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications by 15 August 2021 are strongly encouraged. While we appreciate all responses, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ABOUT US

Established in 1968 as The Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific Limited (AFAP), Action on Poverty (AOP) is a fully-accredited, secular Australian organisation that empowers local changemakers to break the cycle of entrenched poverty in their communities. For 50 years, AOP has successfully worked with local partners to implement cost-effective development programs in 20 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

AOP in Vietnam is the representative office of AOP. AOP in Vietnam has been working with poor communities in 9 provinces across the country since 1989 and was registered in Vietnam in 1996. Our program focuses on improving health, income generation, good governance, social monitoring, food security and resilience to the effects of climate change. AOP has developed a solid reputation as a principled, innovative, and pioneering NGO working with a wide spectrum of stakeholders ranging from policy makers and local authorities to civil society organisations (CSOs) and vulnerable communities.

AOP’s Mission is: To empower local changemakers to break the cycle of poverty in their communities.

AOP’s Vision is: For all people to transcend the injustice, indignity, and inequality of entrenched poverty.

As per AOP Vietnam and Asia’s 2020-2025 Strategy, its core business is: Shared Value Partnerships, Sustainable and inclusive livelihoods, Self-reliant social enterprise, Product development and asset building, Project management services.

AOP in Vietnam and Asia’s 5-year goal is: To be an efficient and effective shared value partner in implementing innovative and impactful development products in Vietnam and Asian countries.

AOP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. All employees, volunteers and interns are required to comply with AOP Policies. In line with AOP’s Child Protection Policy, the successful candidate will be required to provide referee details and undertake a police check.

For more information, visit actiononpoverty.org.vn.