Position:           Finance Assistant

Reports to:        Finance Officer

Locations:         Islamabad

Start Date:         April 2023

Project Background and Objectives

Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) programme aims to expand access to quality family planning (FP) services in the public and private sectors. Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this initiative has four components, which are implemented by different consortia/partners as described below:

1. Component 1: Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) implemented by M&C Saatchi
2. Component 2(a): Private Sector Service Delivery implemented by PSI, MSI and DKT
3. Component 2(b): Public Sector Service Delivery (PSSD) implemented by Palladium and its partners
4. Component 3: Enabling Environment - Advocacy and Policy Development led by UNFPA
5. Component 4: Audits, Third Party Validation, Monitoring and Research led by Integrity

The DAFPAK component 2(b) (i.e., PSSD) started in August 2019. As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, PSSD activities were scaled down during the FYs 20/21 and 21/22. Recently, the DAFPAK PSSD has received a no-cost extension and will implement its interventions in accordance with the revised scope of work. The project will now continue till May 2024.

Building on our previous work, Palladium, and its consortium partner (Pathfinder International) will engage with the provincial and district-level governments in pursuit of four outputs:

1. Output 1: Improve FP coordination for the implementation of Result-Based Management Frameworks and CCI recommendation at provincial levels
2. Output 2: Strengthen procurement and distribution of contraceptive commodities to the last mile
3. Output 3: Bolster FP data systems and build a culture of data demand and evidence use for decision-making
4. Output 4: Improve access to, and quality of, FP services

Palladium and its consortium partner will strengthen FP service provision in the public sector across 20 districts in three provinces of Punjab (6), Sindh (10) and KP (4). For the delivery of its objectives, DAFPAK PSSD will establish provincial teams comprising of Team Leads and team members supporting M&E, Quality of Care, Coordination, and Ops in each province. The project will also maintain a lean and agile TA support at Islamabad level to strengthen federal and provincial collaboration.

Outline of Position:

The position has responsibility to assist Finance Officer in accounting and cash disbursements in the field, prepare reconciliations for Staff advances, field advances and payments to the stakeholders for DAFPAK PSSD. The position assists in liaison with taxation departments and corporate Law authorities in Pakistan. The position will assist Finance Officer in day-to-day financial transactions, dealing with bank, accounting and admin matters for Programme.

Key Responsibilities, Duties and tasks:

1. Responsible for all day-to-day accounting activities
2. Assist in accounting, disbursement functions to ensure that the same are performed in accordance with Palladium’s policy and procedures
3. Prepare and account for transaction to ensure adequate supporting documentation, accuracy of amounts and control over payments.
4. Cash management to always ensure effective controls and transparency as per laid down policies.
5. Assist in dealings with bank to obtain bank balance, bank statements, exchange rates etc.
6. Assistance in preparation in budgets and budgetary controls.
7. Assist to Present and facilitate review of actual to budget expenditures with Finance Officer.
8. Visit partner and field offices whenever required.
9. Deposit tax deduction at source, utility, communication, treasury and other payments in Banks/Treasury.
10. Assist In preparation of monthly finance report to home office.
11. Maintain efficient filing of all the financial documentation of the Project and Company.
12. Assist in Liaison with external and internal auditors.
13. Calculate travel cost of all training participants as per project SOPs.
14. Disburse all travel cost to all training participants as per timeline mentioned in project SOPs
15. Reconcile all travel cost and report to line manager on monthly basis
16. Liaison with program team for accuracy and correction of travel cost calculations
17. Work closely with program team to solve outstanding payment issues in timely manner
18. Calculate all staff per-diems and ensure its compliance with project manual
19. Ensure issuing of all staff activity advances as per project manual
20. Ensure all advances are settled as per project manual timelines and if there is any delay escalate that to line manager on timely basis 
21. Any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Coordination:

1. Maintain close liaison with provincial office Operations & Finance team.
2. Coordination with Government agencies on corporate compliance.
3. Performing any other task as agreed with the Finance Officer.

Qualifications:

• Education:Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance. Partially CA, ICMA or ACCA qualified.
• Work Experiences: More than 1 year of relevant experience in a reputable firm/organization.
• Demonstrated Skills:• The candidate should be mature and comfortable in a multi-cultural work environment, promote teamwork and able to handle pressure with professional grace.• Able to work independently, make decisions and exhibit flexibility.
• Language and Computer Skills:• Proficient in applications; significant experience in MS Excel and QuickBooks will be an added advantage. • Proficiency in English is required