Finance Officer

Job Context

Uttaran is an NGO working in Bangladesh since 1985 to uphold rights and entitlements and to improve the socio-economic condition of the poor and disadvantaged community people. Uttaran is a people-centered organization using a rights-based approach to alleviate poverty, diversify livelihood opportunities and empower poor communities of Bangladesh

Uttaran is inviting applications for the vacant position titled – Finance Officer for the Uttaran under the project - Empowering Civil Society for Climate Justice and Environment Protection. The position will lead financial operations and internal controls to ensure transparent budget tracking, timely reporting, and strict compliance with Uttaran policies and donor requirements.

Reports to: Coordinator (Accounts & Finance) & Head of HR & Administration

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Planning and Reporting

• Analyze profitability by comparing actuals with forecasts.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial plans following the approved budget.

• Develop financial projections for the Project and submit fund requisitions to donors as per partnership agreement.

• Generate accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.

• Create on-demand financial reports as required by Uttaran’s management and donors.

• Ensure compliance and risk management.

• Ensure compliance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and Bangladesh Accounting Standards (BAS) accounting systems in project operations.

• Follow updated VAT, tax, and revenue compliance as per Bangladesh government regulations (Incl. monthly VAT-TAX return).

• Deduct and Deposit VAT and tax to the government treasury within deadlines.

• Update VAT-TAX schedule monthly basis and submit along with financial reports.

• Monitor procurement processes to ensure policy and compliance adherence before payment.

• Maintain audit ready documentation at all times and support internal/external audits and respond to audit observations by preparing management responses.

• Maintenance of Financial Operations and Record

• Manage daily financial transactions and maintain books of accounts.

• Preserve and organize all financial documents in audit ready condition, including vouchers, ledgers, bills, and reports in accordance with UTTARAN policy and donor guidelines.

• Verify that all expenditures are eligible, properly documented, and compliant before processing payments.

• Maintain and update inventory and asset registers in line with organizational policies.

• Safeguard cash, bank cheques, audit reports, agreements, and other sensitive documents.

• Team Collaboration and Capacity Building.

• Orient project team members on financial policies, norms, and compliance requirements.

• Participate in staff coordination meetings, share financial updates, and plan accordingly.

• Collaborate with programmatic teams to verify expenditures and monitor project activities.

• Support Uttaran’s management and donors with regular coordination and communication.

• Grants & Partner Financial Compliance

• Provide overall financial management, technical guidance, and oversight to partner CSOs/sub-grantees receiving Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under the project.

• Review, verify, and consolidate periodic financial reports, bills, vouchers, and expenditure statements submitted by partner CSOs to ensure accuracy, transparency, and timely submission.

• Ensure partner CSOs strictly adhere to donor (EU) guidelines, organizational financial policies, and statutory requirements, while identifying potential financial risks and implementing mitigation measures.

• Conduct regular field-level financial monitoring visits to audit internal control systems, provide hands-on coaching, and facilitate financial orientation and capacity-building sessions for partner finance staff.

• Administration

• Maintains Administrative control with records such as commitments and expenditure; initiate and process administrative action relating to travel arrangements, payments, Procurements, and delivery of equipment, supplies of inventories.

• Manage day-to-day administrative functions including office supplies, logistics, inventory and facility management.

• Set up, classify and maintain appropriate files in the office. Ensure proper supplies of materials; manage office premises, Vehicles and inventories.

• Maintain personnel files, leave records and support recruitment processes as needed.

• Prepare procurement plans, support vendor enlistment and ensure proper documentation of contracts and agreements.

• Support staff entitlements, travel claims, and benefits management in compliance with approved budgets.

• Keep all relevant documentation and updated records of all transactions accordingly.

• Maintain and Keep track of all assets purchased under the project.

• Support the organization on documentation of meetings, workshops, and training sessions.

• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.

• Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Uttaran's Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, PSEA, Child Protection, Gender Equality, Anti-Fraud, and organizational policies.

• Promote accountability to affected populations (AAP) in all project interventions.

• Ensure ethical conduct and confidentiality while working with vulnerable communities.

• Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other duties assigned by the senior management in support of organizational objectives

• Job Location: Tala (Satkhira) with frequent travel across project working areas