icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. Established 60 years ago, we continue to provide life-saving services to the people of Bangladesh, and to nurture the next generation of global health leaders.

Applications from women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

icddr,b invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Senior Budget Coordinator in the Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD) for a project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD). The appointment will be made on Fixed Term basis for 2 years which is renewable depending on performance and availability of funds.

Position Description  

The Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) project of icddr,b aims to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and realise rights among different population groups with distinct SRH needs in Bangladesh. To be implemented by researchers from different divisions of icddr,b, this research project will explore, understand, and assess some key components of SRHR among different population groups who have the highest-burden, distinct needs and vulnerabilities. These groups include adolescents and young adults, newly married couples, pregnant women, neonates and under-five children, women working in the RMG sector and key population for their particular vulnerability and/or marginalisation. The project will be focusing on generating new evidence related to family planning, abortion, post-abortion care, STI/RTIs, and reproductive cancers and maternal and neonatal health.

The Senior Budget Coordinator will be required to support the development of financial and budgeting plan for the projects, updating, charging and reporting of budgets with the objective of effectively tracking and managing project expenses and auditing within the guidelines and policies of icddr,b, donors and other stakeholders; and organizational values and guidelines. Must have strong critical and innovative thinking and time management skills, ability to identify substantive problems that threaten to the financial planning and budgeting, quality procurement, environmental policy related to the research study activities, and creative capacity to resolve these problems. S/he should be proactive, dynamic, and capable of working independently.

Duties and responsibilities:

Program Budgeting: 

• Provide support to project leadership (Senior Director, PI, Project Coordinator/Project Management Team) to prepare budget finalization schedule; Collaborate with technical teams within MCHD and other Divisions and sub-awardees to review existing budget codes and prepare new budgets;
• Review the budget proposals for adherence to donor agreement, icddr,b policy, vendor agreements, and other legal aspects;
• Seek clarifications and escalate issues to project leadership in order to support the preparation of budgets that meet icddr,b; donor, and other legal guidelines.
• Responsible for compilation of annual budget, guide the PI's to prepare their protocol budget & review the same for accuracy before submission to RRC, ERC, and Donors
• Analyse periodically the existing costing system in respect of interdepartmental service rate & indirect cost rate, review the recovery rates of budgets & monitor receivables from donors
• Responsible to obtain information on Grant Agreement from Finance and Research Administration to identify requirements of all external audits and reviews.
• Work as a guide to internal and external auditors and reviewers to ensure completion of audit/review as planned.
• Summarize all the audit findings to the Coordinator
• Collaborate with the other functions like Risk Management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Governance etc. concerning compliance issues for appropriate resolution
• Providing clearance against HR, Supply, maintenance, and other requisitions and expenditures.

Financial Reporting: 

• Prepare donor financial report on project expenditure; coordinate with technical team and sub-awardees in supporting to the report preparation
• Provide budget clearance for all expenditure in order to ensure the efficient and effective operation of budgetary control activities and grant management.
• Prepare assessment report on ongoing budgetary management, fund management including reconciliations; Review and monitor detailed expenditure reports, project future financial needs;
• Monitor and establish control on approved financial plans and budgets; Reprogram funds in accordance with approved guidelines and policy;
• Independently conduct program analysis and prepare relevant reports; Review all project budgets and agreements in line with the donor as well as icddr,b rules and regulation and recommending action; Disseminate donor rules and regulations e.g. restriction, reporting issues, audit requirement etc. to the division staff;
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports and invoices to donor as per agreement and organizational policies and procedures.

Budget Management: 

• Prepare annual budget and forecast development process;
• Review current and projected needs; Prepare detailed budget and forecast guidelines and instructions; Critically review budgets and forecast for accuracy and completeness; and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and icddr,b objectives;
• Budgetary analysis, and appraisal; assist to develop expenditure projections for both icddr,b and sub-awardee funds (if needed); Interpret budget directives and development of related policies;
• Lead the project budget proposal development process; Play a key role in the development of an account code structure that facilitates the tracking of all transactions by project or unit
• Provide analysis and insight during activities and meetings

Budgetary Control: 

• Review reports related to budgetary clearance, budget code creation, cost allocation, cost adjustment and voucher preparation to check timely completion of budgetary control activities;
• Review salary allocation of National / International / Local salary on projects;
• Calculate arrears of National and International employee's salary and adjustment cost accordingly; Escalate issues to project leadership.
• Monitor budget to ensure the expenditures are within the budget limit
• Ensure overall compliance with donor agreements, donor database management.

People Management: 

• Promote a spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members and in the organization;
• Interview candidates and make hiring recommendations, if required;
• Encourage team members to collaborate across areas;
• Address and resolve any diversity-related issues;
• Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team; Set high standards and confront poor performance where needed;
• Mentor young professionals and prepare them for higher responsibilities;
• Identify and reward high performers; Recommend promotions;
• Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b).

Required experience and qualifications

Young, bright individuals who meet the following criteria and are aspiring to develop their career in the research-based environment at icddr,b are encouraged to apply.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Finance / Accounting or Master's in Commerce;
• Preference will be given for the candidates having professional qualifications, e.g. MBA (Major in Finance/Accounting)/ACCA/CA/CMA/CPA.

Experience:

• 8 years of experience in Financial management, Budgeting and Budget Management, Costing with a focus on analysis and reporting in a large international organization with strong interpersonal and excellent communication and writing skills in English;
• Candidates having experience in working for large, not-for-profit organizations and in the use of ERP systems, and demonstrated exceptional financial management and cost accounting analysis skills will be given preference

Competencies:

Core
Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Ability to persuade others to follow
• Ability to deal with ambiguity

 People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team management
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build consensus and resolve conflicts

 Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Fluency in English and proficiency in Bangla

 Delivery

• Excellent organization skills
• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
• Possesses a drive for excellence
• Superior decision-making skills

Technical/Functional

• Governance, risk management and control frameworks;
• Accounting Policies, Principles, Systems and Guidelines;
• Budgeting and Cost Management;
• Financial Data Management and Analysis;
• Taxation laws, rules, regulations and guidelines;
• Audit Policies, Principles and Guidelines;
• Financial, Accounting, Budgeting Data Analytics tools;
• Financial Policies, Procedures, Process, and Reporting Guidelines;
• Procurement related policies and procedures;
• Travel policies for utilizing GoB, GAC, and other donor funds
• IT System, Services, ERP, and relevant software packages;
• Rules and regulations of Grant Agreement.

Investigation on fraud and fraudulent issues.The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

Salary: Annual Tk. 1,662,920/- inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances and other admissible benefits.

Number of post: 1

Benefits/facilities: 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org January 12, 2022. Internal candidates must mention their Identification Number in the application and their performance appraisal of last 3 years will be evaluated.