Finance Officer

1. POSITION VACANT: Finance Officer, Seva Foundation, Work Remotely from Delhi/ NCR

2. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Seva Foundation (Seva) is a global non-profit eye care organization that transforms lives by restoring sight and preventing blindness. They train local eye care providers and develop self-sustaining eye programs around the world. Together, Seva provides critical eye care to underserved communities, especially women, children, and indigenous peoples. Seva has helped more than 5 million blind people regain their sight in more than 20 countries.

Seva started working in India in 1978 and has been consistently investing in the development of eye care service strategies, clinical and program support, research, and capacity building of the partner institutions. At present, they work with more than 60 hospitals and partner organizations across 18 Indian states and union territories.

For more information about Seva, please visit: https://www.seva.org/.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Function:

The Finance Officer (FO) role is vital for the management of growing country programs with a focus on finance and accounting management. The FO will take the responsibility for financial monitoring, review of the financial transactions involving Seva funds and ensure the fund utilization as per the project agreement with partner hospitals. S/he will assist the Regional Director and work closely with the program team in India. The role includes regular travel to partner hospitals across the country (upto 35%).

Reporting to the Regional Director - Asia, the FO will be responsible for overseeing financial monitoring of the partner organization in India, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, financial reporting requirements, and donor regulations in close coordination with Seva’s program officers. S/he is expected to play a crucial role in budgeting, financial planning, and ensuring the efficient use of resources to support the organization’s mission. In coordination with the Operations & Finance Manager, the incumbent will adapt, implement, and streamline financial monitoring processes and systems required to ensure efficient utilization of Seva support to partners in India.

Key Job Responsibilities:

(A) Finance Management and Monitoring
(1) Ensure financial management, control, and regulatory compliance by adhering to the local partner organizations’ policies at the National and partner levels;
(2) Ensure regular review of annual project budgets and tracking ongoing commitments against the approved Seva budget at the project and partner level;
(3) Track the implementation of financial yearly targets and measurable metrics for Finance performance, both for individual team members and project teams;

(4) Support long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the organization’s strategic and project plans;

(5) Undertake need-based pan-India travel to the project partners and stakeholders.

(B) Statutory Compliances
(1) Coordinate with auditors and providing necessary documents and records, as necessary;
(2) Provide support in donor audits by addressing audit queries and preparing reports and utilization certificates for individual donor projects as per the terms and conditions of the grants;
(3) Ensure FCRA compliance of all partner institutions and track copies of FCRA documentation.

(C) Grant Management
(1) Conducte quarterly reviews of the partners and program budgets, preparing analytical reports like BvA, burn rate, financial runway, and sharing key highlights with the Program team;
(2) Coordinate with program officers to manage  fund release, receiving the fund request letter/ invoice from hospitals, and supporting in cash projection planning for India budget;
(3) Review financial reports and documents submitted by partners;
(4) Process due diligence for new partners and existing partners during the preparation of annual agreements;
(5) Finalize the closure of individual partner grants and support in fund utilization as per timelinee;
(6) Analyz donor agreements to ascertain the usage of funds as per agreements with donors, in coordination with the Director, Grants;
(7) Provide documents and information for new grant proposals;
(8) Support the Program team on issues, trends, and changes in financial operating performance and operational delivery, while proactively communicating anticipated issues before they arise.
 

(D) Project Accounting
(1) Conduct project accounting for projects implemented through partner NGOs to ensure timely and accurate booking of project expenses;
(2) Track all advances made to projects and ensuring their timely reconciliation;
(3) Coordinate with staff team and consultants for timely expense report and invoice submission;
(4) Prepare donor reports/ utilization certificates for donor reporting in coordination with program teams;
(5) Safeguard organizational interests in India.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification
Applicants must have a Master’s degree in finance

Experience 

(1) Minimum eight years of experience relevant experience in finance and accounting;

(2) Supervisory experience in the non-profit sector is required;

(3) Demonstrated experience with budgeting and financial analysis;

(4) Robust experience with spreadsheets and accounting/ finance software;
(5) Experience in customer service or client relations a plus.

Skills and Competencies

(1) Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including experience providing sensitive feedback in a diplomatic manner;
(2) Possess analytical and problem-solving skills;
(3) Clear understanding of compliance requirements;

(4) Ability to write clearly and concisely;

(5) Ability to travel up to 35% of the time.

Attributes:

The incumbent should be capable of managing multiple and complex tasks; thrive under pressure, time, and complexity; have strong people skills and the ability to develop a strong team spirit; and be capable of interfacing successfully with internal actors, donors, and partners to resolve program issues. S/he should also feel comfortable with Excel spreadsheets and consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. The incumbent should be a team player with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to multitask.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
 

The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history.

6. LOCATION: The post-holder shall work remotely and must be based in Delhi-NCR

7. NUMBER of VACANCIES: One

8. MODALITY OF ENGAGEMENT: This is the full-time consultancy position and the successful candidate shall be engaged through consultancy contract initially for one year. The contracts may be renewed/ extended based on performance.

9. REFERENCE: FO-SEVA

10. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar 
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
 

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply at the earliest.

Selected candidates shall be expected to subscribe to the following Seva values:

(1) Compassion in Action: Seva does not observe suffering, but addresses it.

(2) Selfless Service: Service is its own reward.

(3) Respect: Seva believes in the fundamental dignity and value of every person.

(4) Equity: Seva serves the underserved to ensure all people have access to quality care.

(5) Fun: Seva never takes itself too seriously. When you stop laughing, you’ve stopped living.