JOB DESCRIPTION

Context:

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We use media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. We partner with civil society, local media and others to produce creative programmes in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues, and strengthen the media sector through capacity building. Our work is built on insights from our research and engagement with communities, and is focused on three key themes: governance and human rights, health and resilience.

Overall purpose:

Reporting to the Deputy Country Director, the Finance Manager will be fully responsible for all aspects of the finance function of BBC Media Action in Bangladesh. The work consists of financial management duties and oversight of compliance. Liaison with the London based BBC Media Action finance team and managing timely and accurate monthly financial reporting is a key part of the role.

Main Duties & responsibilities: Financial Control

• Maintaining the financial integrity of the BBC Media Action Bangladesh office and ensuring full compliance with policies & procedures, particularly around cash, advances and banking.
• Ensure financial best practice, and resolving financial control and compliance issues.
• Managing the bank accounts in Bangladesh and liaising with our bankers as appropriate.
• Ensure a fair selection of quality vendors and service providers, as well as fairness and transparency in the awarding of all contracts.
• Undertaking audits and spot checks at field sites and production activities.
• Responsible for the fixed asset register to safeguard assets.

Financial & Management Accounting

• Ensure accurate recording of all financial transactions and responsible for maintaining the in- country financial system.
• Monthly reporting to the HQ Project Accountant providing fully reconciled reports detailing income, expenditure and cash and bank reconciliations.
• Preparing cash forecasts to identify monthly funding requirements and ensure flow of in- coming remittance.

Planning, Budgeting and Performance

• Work with project leads to prepare budgets and proposals for projects in Bangladesh.
• Regularly review financial performance for individual projects and the country office as a whole, working with project leads and the in-country senior management team to ensure variations are justified and action taken to recover as appropriate.
• Lead quarterly forecasting and budget revision exercises, in cooperation with project leads and HQ finance team.
• Advise the in-country senior management team on long-term staff and financial planning.

Donor Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with all financial reporting and forecasting requirements of donors and others, and ensuring the smooth flow of funds from donors.
• Ensuring that expenditure is incurred and reported in line with donor agreements.
• Providing financial guidance to senior management and all project staff.
• Ensuring all project audits occur in a timely manner and are successfully concluded.

Management, Training & Capacity Building

• Line management of finance team members, ensuring effective use of personnel and resources in the finance team.
• Training and developing other finance and key project staffs in policies, procedures and other finance issues as appropriate.
• Ensure training for staff members on compliances and financial responsibilities including anti- bribery act and policies on expense, advance, procurement, fixed assets and budget management.
• Act as lead point of contact for implementing the new finance manual including training finance team members and project coordinators.

Administration, Legal and Statutory Compliance

• Ensuring full compliance with Bangladesh law and regulations
• Ensuring compliance with all government approvals under various acts applicable to the country office
• Advising Country Director/ Deputy Country Director and others as appropriate on financial and legislative changes that may affect the organisation’s operations
• Operation of payroll for all staff in Bangladesh and compliance with Bangladesh tax legislation
• Responsible for statutory and annual audits and Bangladesh tax returns
• Undertaking other duties that, from time to time, the Country Director/Deputy Country Director or the London finance team might request
  

Skills, knowledge and experience requirements:

• Completed Chartered Accountancy course from a reputed audit firm.
• Experience of managing finance team in international NGO or agency with proven track records.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities (and particularly multiple budgets) at the same time
• Experience of working with and reporting to international donors, and working knowledge of donor compliance rules and regulations for the major donors
• Ability to develop strong knowledge of BBC financial management guidelines and systems and apply these consistently
• Good interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships with financial and non- financial managers within BBC Media Action and key stakeholders externally
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Bangla, with personnel at all levels in an organisation
• Excellent IT skills, including advanced Excel skills, with experience of operating computer-based financial management systems.
• Experience explaining financial responsibilities to team members, and training others in financial management.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and health & safety.

Applications: Interested applicants should carefully complete the BBC Media Action job application form by downloading from the link and email to applications@bd.bbcmediaaction.org mentioning the position in the subject field. The deadline for submitting applications is 6 January 2019.

The BBC is an equal opportunities employer.