Head of Finance and Operations

Head of Finance & Operations-Renewable World Nepal Office

Location: Kathmandu, with occasional travel to regions within Nepal
Salary: NPR 27,35,856 Gross annual salary
Other benefits: Leave (18 days annual leave, 12 days sick leave plus 14 days festival holidays), medical& Group Personnel Accident insurance
Start: 1 Aug 2024 or earlier
Contract: Full-time(37.5 hrs / week), 2 years fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability
Responsible to: Nepal Country Director and closely working with the guidance from Director of Finance and Operations UK.

Purpose
1.2 billion people are still living in poverty, inequality is rising, and the world is failing to decarbonise quickly enough to avoid climate disaster. The world’s poorest people contributed little to climate change, yet they are most impacted, and least able to adapt. This is not fair. And it is not sustainable.

At Renewable World we envision a sustainable and fairer world where clean energy is accessible to all – because with clean energy, both people and planet can thrive. By 2030, we aim to enable over 500,000 people living in poverty to transform their lives by improving their access to clean energy, empowering them to develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

As the Head of Finance and Operations of Nepal office, you will work closely with all other senior managers to drive efficient management of resources and enhance the performance monitoring and reporting of our programme, projects and office running costs ensuring compliance with Renewable World, Nepal government, and donor contractual terms and conditions.

This position requires very strong accounting and financial management knowledge, analytical skills, attention to detail, ability to work effectively under pressure, and strong business partnering skills with the ability to collaborate with senior staff. You will be a motivating team player with the ability to offer structured guidance, and to ensure that the right priorities are set for the finance team. You will have proven experience in presenting financial analysis and information to non-finance staff and a high proficiency in English.

The post-holder must possess sensitivity to ethnicity, gender and economic class and will, at all times, adhere to Renewable World’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. The position is based in Kathmandu and will require occasional travel within Nepal.

Responsibilities
Strategic leadership, planning and reporting – 40%.

• As a member of the Nepal Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to achieve Nepal SMT initiatives as well as timely acting on the points agreed in Nepal SMT meeting.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policy and procedures of RWand donors including submission of financial reports on time and with accuracy.
• Support the fulfilment of SWC compliances (developing PA and GA, CPAC, evaluations, reporting).
• Ensure compliance with national legislation regarding employment, tax compliance and reporting to local authorities (IRD, Lalitpur Metropolitan city, SWC).
• Strengthening internal controls in close coordination with the UK office.
• Facilitate project audit, RW Nepal annual audit and mid-term and final evaluations conducted by SWC. Ensure implementations of the audit recommendations.
• Ensure the program team is informed about the financial progress/risks and that they take measures to ensure spend is on track and risk is mitigated.
• Oversight of the payroll system to include taxes and other deductions.
• Share the status of salary coverage of staff on half yearly basis.
• Review/update all leases and other operating contracts including framework agreements with hotels and vehicle service providers.
• Oversee the team undertaking procurement to ensure compliances and that expenses are justified.
• Ensure funding requests are submitted to UK on time with necessary documents.
• Banking operations – ensure bank signatories are updated and that bank and cash accounts are reconciled timely.

Partnership Management – 25%

• Oversight of fund release to partners based on the partnership agreement.
• Ensure partnership management activities are in accordance with our partnership management guideline and partnership agreements (due diligence for partner selection, capacity assessment, capacity building, annual compliances, partnership closing).
• Guide Project Managers to develop Partnership Management Plan (which also includes capacity building plan) of new partners.

Project pipeline budgeting and forecasting – 25%

• Oversee the whole project budgeting processes including the generation of new project budgets.
• Lead the HR and operational budget development of new projectsand confirm the accuracy of overall project budget including exchange rates and inflations.
• Coordinate and supervise the preparation of project budget variations and forecasts, signing off on information provided ahead of submission to the UK team.
• Supervise the setting up of project financial scope of works (FSOW),and maintain oversight for financial aspects of the full project management lifecycle as a business partner to Project Managers.

Human Resources (10%)

• Oversee adherence to RW policies (leave and other policies) by staff.
• Contribute to Nepal programme and office risk assessments including accident and incident reporting.
• Be responsible for timely renewal of staff contracts and documentation of HR details of staff.
• Oversee RW recruitment processes in Nepal including making the team gender and socially inclusive.
• Line management of staff that includes developing objectives, conducting reviews, Learning &Development (L&D) and adherence to policies.
• Lead L&D committee to agree on annual L&D plan for Nepal team and facilitate in implementing the plan.

Person Specification
Knowledge, experience, skills, and competencies

Essential

• Fully Qualified accountant (e.g. one of: CPA, CA, ACCA).
• Minimum 5 years’ working experience in a similar role with relevant international NGO or institutional donors.
• Experience in leading and management of finance functions.
• Functional knowledge of financial accounting systems, policies and Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in development of project budgets and organisational budgets,
• Strong financial analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Must be flexible, adaptable, and quick to learn in our fast-paced dynamic environment (arising out of the new projects and relationships).
• Ability to prioritize and deliver results on time.
• Effective communicator (including excellent written and verbal English) as demonstrated on financial and narrative reporting, and verbal skills.

Desirable

• Experience of project fund (grant) accounting.
• Experience of QuickBooks.
• Experience of managing operations including procurement, human resources and administration
• Experience of INGO compliance in Nepal (with Social Welfare Council requirements).

Attitude and approach

Essential

• Leadership skills, including guiding a team to work together to achieve objectives.
• Ability to work with other teams and functions, seek and accept guidance and coordinate as a business partner to Project Managers.
• Experienced in and passionate about international development.
• Self-motivated and strong time management skills.
• Good communicator and confident to engage with partners and external stakeholders.
• Upholds organizational and ethical norms, values transparency and accountability, and treats all individuals with respect.
• Proactive in sharing learnings, adapting projects, and seeking help to address challenges

How to Apply

To apply for this role please send a copy of your CV (no more than four sides of A4) and a cover letter (no more than two sides of A4) outlining why you feel you are right for this role.

Please send your application to jobs@renewable-world.org with the subject line Head of Finance and Operations Nepal – YOUR NAME.

Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.