Senior Manager Finance, Awards and Compliance

ROLE PURPOSE:

This role contributes to the strategic financial leadership for Save the Childrens Sri Lanka Projectized Office overseeing financial planning reporting award management donor and member compliance banking and risk management. The role ensures robust accountability reinforces internal controls in line with SCI financial and compliance protocols and drives adherence to donor and member addition the position guides senior management in informed decision-making supports the effective management of partner financial performance audits host country tax processes and capacity-building initiatives and contributes to the overall strengthening of financial systems and governance to achieve organizational and programme objectives.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Finance Reporting Planning and budgeting

1. Donor and Member Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all donor and member financial requirements reporting standards and internal control procedures.
• Verify that all financial reports supporting documentation and expenditures adhere to donor agreements and SCI policies prior to submission.
• Support in KPI reporting related to finance and ensure all KPIs are within an acceptable rate during each reporting period.

2. Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Ensure in the country annual budgeting process including developing budget schedules and guidance consolidating financial plans reviewing budget phasing and preparing narrative justifications.
• Coordinate with budget holders to prepare budget forecasts and upload approved budgets to the Agresso system in line with forecast schedules.
• Prepare and circulate monthly Budget vs Actual (BvA) reports to budget holders and programme managers highlighting key variances and financial risks and recommending corrective actions.
• Support monthly BvA and programme review meetings ensuring timely financial insights for decision-making.
• Conduct variance analysis in coordination with budget holders to ensure effective budget utilization.
• Develop and deliver training sessions and financial tools to strengthen budget holders understanding of key financial concepts and compliance requirements.
• Prepare and submit donor financial reports in accordance with agreed timelines and donor specifications.
• Review monthly effort reporting reconciling timesheets with system charges investigating major variances and preparing reconciliations for the Senior Finance Manager.
• Review and validate shared costs and premise costs prior to posting and ensure updates are accurately reflected in the financial dashboard.

3. Financial Reporting

• Prepare review and submit donor financial reports in line with internal and external deadlines.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive reporting plan ensuring alignment and coordination with all relevant sections.
• Track and manage each stage of the reporting process coordinating inputs from different teams to ensure timely submission to members donors and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compilation of all district-level information for quarterly NGO progress reports obtain necessary signatures from district government officials and ensure timely submission to the NGO Secretariat by the specified deadline. Support the preparation and timely submission of financial statements and other reports to meet internal donor and government requirements.

Taxation:

• Ensure compliance with all local tax laws and regulations including timely submission of tax returns and related filings while staying updated on the latest provisions of the Inland Revenue Department.
• Liaise with tax authorities external consultants and auditors to resolve tax-related issues and ensure accurate reporting including payroll-related taxes.
• Review and validate tax calculations on payments salaries to mitigate tax risks.
• Ensure all tax remission requests are submitted on time and that the process for tax appeals is properly completed within required deadlines.

Awards Management

• Ensure that award management systems and processes are effectively implemented and maintained throughout the award lifecycle with key controls in place to support compliance with donor requirements. This includes creating DRCs keeping the Award Management System (AMS) up to date and accurately recording the complete audit trail of all awards and sub-awards.
• Partner Assessment & Vetting: Coordinate and conduct organizational and capacity assessments of partners Proposal and Award Risk Tool) per SCI Awards Management procedures in coordination with the Chief of Party and Program Leads. Ensure that partners undergo all necessary pre-engagement vetting.
• Agreement Drafting & Negotiation: In coordination with the Finance Director Chief of Party draft or amend Partner Agreements/MOUs with all relevant Annexes manage the signing processes and represent SCI in contract negotiations during the life of the Award.
• Compliance & Agreement Execution: Ensure all partnerships strictly adhere to SCIs Partnership Procedures and Standards including the mandatory requirement of signing all sub-award agreements before execution.
• Monitoring & Issue Resolution: Work with relevant staff to ensure effective monitoring systems are in place for partner delivery to meet donor expectations. Flag potential issues and amendment requests promptly to internal stakeholders and donors including developing necessary business cases for waiver/derogation requests.
• Capacity Building & Documentation: Contribute to capacity building of Partners on Award Management and donor compliance based on assessment findings and ensure all key documents are properly filed and updated.

Risk and Compliance

• Monitor internal and external risks to ensure that Projectized Office risk landscape is up to date and factored into strategic planning program development and decision-making processes.
• Support the co-Fraud Focal Point manage incidents of fraud bribery or corruption including investigations into severe breaches of policy.
• Assess and enhance the internal control framework at the Country Office/Field office and partner levels.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external risk management standards and regulations.
• Develop and implement an annual Internal Control & Compliance Planusing an appropriate risk-based methodology.Prepare and present comprehensive risk and compliance reports to PALAMA Management Team highlighting key findings and recommendations.
• Implement recommendations from internal and external audits to address identified weaknesses and improve overall risk management.

Other

• Work with HR to ensurepayroll details are accurately processed compliant and timely with the finance unit obligations.
• Responsible for any other duties deemed necessary by the Project Finance Director.
• Further responsibilities tasks and competences will be adjusted on based on organisational developments

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in finance/ commerce / accountancy/ business administration Risk Management or related field and
• Full qualification / Part qualification from professional accounting qualification from recognized institute (Chartered CIMA ACCA)

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in finance accounting or financial management preferably within an international NGO or donor-funded environment. Experience in donor compliance partner financial oversight and award management is highly desirable.
• Understanding of risk management principles frameworks and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effectively working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements compliance standards and internal control frameworks relevant to the NGO sector.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Willingness to travel to operations sites for technical monitoring and supervision visits