Project Controller

Reference number: Rec/009/24

Introduction

CORDAID is a Dutch, international non-governmental organization which combines 100 years of experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. CORDAID believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion tear up societies, we connect people and communities. We also stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders, to make a difference where it is most needed. Together with more than 600 partner organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion.

Purpose of the position

The Project Controller is responsible to maintain overall budget control and monitor cash flows and expenditures of the PBF project budgets. S/he oversees the financial operations of PBF projects and ensures timely and accurate financial reports and practices including cash management and financial disbursements

Responsibilities and Accountability

Project Budgets

• Develops project budgets and ensures that cost recovery is guaranteed and the correct Cordaid tools, data and forms are being used. Monitor the revision of programme budgets and coordinate any proposed revisions. Supports cost extension requests as and when needed in collaboration with the Programme Manager and the Finance and Operations Director. Provides technical advice and input on implementation, close out procedures

Budget Control

• Pro-actively interacts with budget holders about cash flow management within projects and ensures to follow the internal control regulations. Supports monitoring and advice provision on PBF budget absorption for the operational cost, per indicator and on the pricing of the indicator. Prepares budget performance report which include reporting on the indicator’s performance, financial analysis per indicator, per clinic and subsidy utilization.

Quality Review and Payments

• Reviews the consolidated invoices and supporting documents submitted by the Data Specialist and prepares for the release of funds to the contracted Health Facilities, Woreda Health Offices, Zonal Health Department and Community Based Organizations’ bank accounts as per the approved standing instruction. Conduct reconciliation of payments and submit a trend analysis report of the payments for review and planning purpose.

Finance Management and Budget Monitoring

• Reviews the expenditures on shared cost budget % allocated to the programme and ensure that this cost is budgeted for. Consolidates and reviews the budgeted versus actual expenditure reports, and ensure adherence to restrictions on line item expenditure. Ensures that all identified discrepancies and/or ineligible expenditures and/ or misallocation and/or payment of unauthorized amounts are clarified timely addressed

Financial & Project Implementation

• Conducts budget analysis and submits financial reports of projects assigned to him/her. Facilitates the use and submission of monthly, quarterly workplans and budget forecast to support a controlled finance utilization. Reviews the donor and management comments or feedback, addresses to meet the reporting standards. Assesses and action on the financial management reviews and submits recommendations.

Improved Programme Budgets

• Identifies bottlenecks in the budgets and operational activities of the programme and advice on financial improvements and adherence to the financial rules and regulations. Provides technical advice, including indicator costing and subsides projection and operational guidance on innovative approaches to project financing, risk identification, analysis, mitigation, monitoring and use of financing structures.

Administrative Oversight and Management

• Provides technical and administrative support to PBF field offices regarding the finance and administrative activities by conducting field visits, among others. Identifies and addresses knowledge and skills gap realized at field level and support the staff through coaching and training.

Compliance Procedures 

• Prepares, reviews and maintains a programme report tracking system to ensure that all reporting deadlines are met, including donor and project milestones, tracking expenditures against budget and advise the budget holders of any changes. Supports the process of ensuring PBF Program operations to ensure compliance with all stakeholders to the project, the government, donor and the organization rules, regulations, and policies, ethics and integrity and achievement of results. Provide guidance and ensure that all project staff is aware and sensitized on the compliance to the standards and guidelines of the project requirements.

Audit

• In collaboration with the Senior Project Controller, supports audit preparation and ensure that relevant information is transmitted timely to the auditors and assist on post- audit activities such as audit trail and implementation of audit recommendation through an action plan.

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge

1. University study, preferably in accounting, finance, management;
2. At least 5 years’ experience in project financial management support;
3. Knowledge of health economics highly preferred,
4. Ability to present complex information in a compelling manner;
5. Ability to pay attention to detail;
6. Advanced Excel knowledge required;
7. Able to assure confidentiality;
8. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people; and
9. Knowledge working with databases preferred

Core Competencies

1. Maintain Integrity;
2. Team player;
3. Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision;
4. Possess strong analytical, logical reasoning and accuracy with conceptual skills;
5. Proven management and leadership skills;
6. Strong organizational development skills;
7. Good negotiating and problem-solving skills;
8. Strong verbal and written communication skills;
9. Strong people management skills; and
10. Conflict management skills.