Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, education, and economic opportunities for individuals, enabling them to lead healthy lives. Established with a mission to enhance the quality of life for people globally, FHI 360 has been operational for several decades and has a significant presence in various countries. The organization employs a diverse workforce, with thousands of employees working across multiple sectors and regions. FHI 360 is particularly focused on health initiatives, including HIV programs, maternal and child health, and strengthening health systems. In Laos, FHI 360 has collaborated with the Ministry of Health for many years, implementing projects like LINKAGES and EpiC to support HIV programming and enhance global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position is integral to the EpiC Laos Global Health Security team, focusing on financial management, budgeting, reporting, and compliance. This role is crucial for ensuring accurate accounting practices, timely processing of payments, and maintaining proper financial documentation. The Finance Officer will collaborate closely with program and operations staff, sub-award partners, and the FHI 360 Laos country office to ensure adherence to FHI 360 policies, donor regulations, and government requirements. The position is designed to help the GHS team effectively manage budgets, monitor spending, and ensure that activities are delivered on schedule, thereby contributing to the overall success of health initiatives in Laos.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will be responsible for a variety of key financial management tasks. These include preparing and reviewing project activity budgets and financial pipeline reports, monitoring spending to ensure compliance with approved budgets and donor requirements, and preparing monthly financial reports while assisting with quarterly pipelines. The officer will review accounting transactions for correct coding before posting and perform reconciliations for bank accounts, vendors, and other financial records. Additionally, the role involves supporting timely payments of statutory obligations in accordance with local laws and FHI 360 policies. The Finance Officer will also assist in developing national and provincial-level budgets for GHS program activities, work with technical and operations staff for accurate forecasting and budget planning, and help prepare budgets for sub-awardees while providing basic financial capacity support. Furthermore, the officer will review sub-awardee monthly financial reports, conduct scheduled financial review visits, and perform pre-award assessments for new partners following FHI 360 procedures. The role also includes supporting grant and financial reviews, including audits, and ensuring that recommendations are implemented. The Finance Officer will assist in procurement by reviewing vendor selection documents and ensuring compliance with procurement requirements, as well as reviewing payment requests for completeness and adherence to cost principles. Maintaining financial documentation in accordance with audit standards is also a critical responsibility. Coordination and administrative support tasks will involve communication with banks regarding project accounts, collaboration with the Senior Finance Manager during audits, performing spot checks on petty cash, and providing general financial support to the Project Director and GHS team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Finance Officer position must possess a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. A minimum of five to seven years of relevant experience is required, or alternatively, a master’s degree with three to five years of experience. At least two years of experience in financial management and reporting is essential, and experience in grants management is desirable. Familiarity with US government-funded project financial policies and requirements is also necessary. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to organize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Proven capabilities in identifying cost savings and efficiency improvements are important, along with experience working with NGOs, CBOs, or the Laos public health sector. Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of key and vulnerable populations are also valued. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, is required, as well as the ability to interpret financial data and prepare comprehensive financial reports. Strong documentation and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to work with limited supervision and manage a high volume of tasks.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Finance Officer position includes a Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. Candidates with a master’s degree in these areas may also be considered, particularly if they have relevant experience in financial management and reporting. The educational qualifications should provide a solid foundation in financial principles and practices, enabling the candidate to effectively manage the financial responsibilities associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of five to seven years of relevant experience in financial management, accounting, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates with a master’s degree should have three to five years of experience. At least two years of experience specifically in financial management and reporting is essential, and experience in grants management is highly desirable. Familiarity with financial policies and requirements related to US government-funded projects is also important, as is experience working with NGOs or in the public health sector in Laos.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language used for reporting and communication within the organization. Knowledge of Lao language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate better communication with local partners and stakeholders. Additional language skills may also be beneficial, particularly if they relate to the populations served by the projects.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and offers a competitive compensation package, with an expected hiring salary range of USD 12,000 - 16,000 for the annual basic salary. The final offer will take into account various factors, including the candidate's relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget considerations. FHI 360 is committed to equal opportunity employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. The organization emphasizes safeguarding and has policies in place to prevent abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record, and terrorism finance checks.