Project Finance Manager

Job Description

Job title

Project Finance Manager

Location

Tree Aid, Bristol Office

Contract type

Permanent, hybrid working, 1 day per week in Bristol office with some
travel to East & West Africa

Working hours

35 hours per week

Salary

£46,853 +  benefits

Reporting to

Head of Finance & Resources

Aim

To provide effective financial control of Tree Aid’s project finances
with processing and reporting delivered on time and accurately, in
line with donor requirements.

Objectives

•  Provide the Senior Management, the Programmes Team and other
relevant staff with reliable and timely financial information and
analysis of project finances.

•  Develop project budgets, manage adequacy of cost recoveries

and support accurate and timely donor reports.

•  Provide oversight of and support to Tree Aid’s overseas entities on

finance reporting, systems, internal and external audits,
procedures and resources.

•  Support overseas teams to ensure that Tree Aid’s overseas entities
meet all donor and legal requirements and follow organisational
policies.

Main tasks

1

1.1

Provide the Senior Management, the Programmes Team and other relevant staff with
reliable and timely financial information and analysis of project finances (20%)

Present regular and timely project financial management information to the
Finance & Programmes Teams and to Senior Management.

1.2

Ensure the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of donor financial reporting.

1.3

2

2.1

Prepare and distribute regular monthly project budget vs actuals (BVA) reports,
reviewing variances, identifying risks and escalating concerns to ensure informed
financial decision-making and effective budget management.

Develop project budgets, manage adequacy of cost recoveries and support
accurate and timely donor reports (50%)

Support the Institutional Fundraising Team with project budget reviews, ensuring
adequate cost recovery, realistic assumptions, timely input and approval.

2.2  Assist the UK Head of Finance with the development, documenting and

implementation of project budget and project financial systems and procedures.

2.3  Oversee timetables for donor financial reporting, funder invoicing, and debtor

collection, liaising with appropriate staff to ensure deadlines are met.

2.4  Coordinate data input from overseas entities’& implementing partners ensuring

smooth information flows that support project reporting, ensuring that information is
up to date and accurate.

2.5

Ensure that project financial records for all projects are reconciled to the financial
project/fund records in XLedger promptly each month.

2.6  Maintain and keep up to date project life financial records.

2.7

Ensure effective control of project partner grants, partner expenditure reporting and
integration into project finance reporting.

2.8  Act as liaison between the UK Finance, Regional Finance and Programmes teams.

3

Provide oversight of and support to Tree Aid’s overseas entities on finance reporting,
systems, internal and external audits, procedures and resources (15%)

3.1  Develop and implement standardised and robust systems that are documented

and employed in overseas entities in line with Tree Aid policies and procedures, and
that these are updated as appropriate.

3.2  Develop templates based on the Group model, and train subsidiary entity staff in

their use, to produce in-country financial management (BVA) reports.

3.3

Ensure restricted funds in subsidiary entities are properly managed, restrictions
complied with, and funds reconciled.

3.4  Manage the transfer of cost recovery funds for subsidiary entities’ contracts

between funds in line with project budgets, working with country Finance Teams.

3.5  Coordinating project external audits working with overseas and UK finance team

and liaising with auditors to facilitate timely responses and closure of audit findings
to maintain compliance and accountability.

3.6

Participate in the internal audit programme.

4

Support overseas teams to ensure that Tree Aid’s overseas entities meet all legal
and statutory requirements and follow organisational policies (10%)

4.1

Liaise with local finance teams and the group finance officers to maintain timely
and accurate balance sheet and bank reconciliation, ensuring they are fully up to
date and promptly investigated.

4.2  Oversee that subsidiary entities meet local reporting requirements in each country

of operation.

4.3

Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures by subsidiary
entities.

5

Other (5%)

5.1  Coordinate closely with, and support the work of, the UK Head of Finance &

Resources on a day to day basis.

5.2  Carry out other tasks and responsibilities as directed by the Head of Finance &

Resources and Director of Finance & Resources.

Person Specification (E = essential, D = desirable)

Personal Qualities

•  Ability to demonstrate initiative, be proactive & offer a solution-oriented approach. (E)

•  Determined and committed to high quality standards. (E)

•  Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels internally and externally.

(E)

•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. (E)

•  Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure. (E)

•  Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic approach to work. (E)

•  A passion for, and commitment to, international development and to issues affecting

rural smallholder farmers in dryland Africa. (E)

•  Commitment to working in a values-led organisation. (E)

Experience

Good experience in accountancy/finance management, to include:

•  Working in international development in a finance role. (E)

•  Experience of Xledger or equivalent financial systems.  (E)

•  Preparing and analysing donor budgets. (E)

•  Preparing and analysing donor reports. (E)

•  Reporting and managing to tight deadlines. (E)

Qualifications

•  Completed or working towards a recognised professional accounting qualification,

e.g. ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent. (E)

Skills/Knowledge

•  Effective financial management skills. (E)

•  Ability to work in French (support is available). (D)

•  Understanding of institutional donor requirements. (E)

•  Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural

contexts. (E)

•  Excellent organisational skills with the ability to coordinate activities. (E)

•  Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills. (E)

•  Ability and willingness to undertake routine administrative tasks. (E)