Senior Finance Officer

Clean Air Asia is an international non-governmental organization leading the regional mission for better air quality, and healthier, more livable cities throughout Asia. Our mission is to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Asia and contribute to the development of a more sustainable, equitable and healthier region. We empower governments and cities by inspiring action and focusing efforts on the planning and implementation of solutions at scale, fostering regional cooperation to address issues of mutual concern, and ensuring the integration of air quality management across sectors and institutions. Our work focuses on implementing solutions that reduce air pollution, its detrimental health impacts and mitigate the climate crisis. We do so by providing policy guidance, building capacity, and making a compelling case for action among stakeholders at city, national, and regional levels. Since 2008, we have been a United Nations-recognized partnership comprised of more than 250 organizations in Asia and internationally, with six Country Networks (Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam). Our headquarters are in Manila, Philippines, and we have offices in Beijing, China, and New Delhi, India.

We are currently recruiting an experienced finance professional to fill the post and join our dynamic team at Clean Air Asia in Manila, Philippines. The person in this role should be self-motivated and independent individual with demonstrated skills in various accounting and finance functions, budget management and project management. The successful candidate is a person of integrity and can handle confidential information, has a strong technical accounting knowledge and progressive experience in the use of accounting system/s, experience in various accounting functions including the preparation of accounting journal entries, account analysis and reconciliations, and preparation of financial reports and statutory reporting requirements.

II. JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Finance Officer will, under supervision of the Finance Manager, work with the Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) team of Clean Air Asia including supporting the FAS Manager in various functions in financial management, project management and financial reporting, audit and compliance with other reportorial requirements. The merit of the position includes a strong focus on compliance and project budget analysis.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direct supervision of the Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) Manager , the primary areas of work include:

A. Compliance

• Together with the FAS Manager, ensure compliance with financial regulations and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and report status of implementation of all Clean Air Asia contracts and filing of project-related documents; follow up with FAS in Branch offices and project team leads to ensure compliance with all contract requirements.
• Track and report status of contractual compliance for all projects; ensure completeness of updated Contract Management files, in accordance with Clean Air Asia's Records Management policies and documentation filing system.
• Lead the Contract Management Review meetings to report and discuss compliance follow-up of agreed actions.
• Work with the FAS Manager to comply with statutory and project audits requirements.

B. Finance and Accounting

• Together with the FAS Manager, review and manage the performance of the outsourced accounting and finance services firm and ensure the timely preparation and submission of financial reports and filing of tax returns.
• Together with the FAS Manager, prepare the requirements for external audit of Clean Air Asia's annual financial statements and other audits of specific projects.
• Together with the FAS Manager, prepare and update annual budgets of the Clean Air Asia in coordination with the Managers and the Executive Director/Deputy.
• Review Branch office transactions before posting in Manila HQ records.
• Responsible for month-end close, reconciliation and preparation of financial reports from NetSuite.
• Perform the day-to day accounting processes and procedures relating to, but not limited to preparation of Request for payments, Accounts Payable Vouchers, Payment Vouchers, monthly adjusting entries, and banking transactions.
• Generate monthly books and update all Account schedules.
• Perform monthly reconciliations and account analysis for designated balance sheet accounts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Review daily bank activities and perform bank reconciliations.
• Assist on financial reviews and year-end audit procedures with external auditors and other third parties.
• Supporting the FAS manager in recommending and implementing innovation (e.g., automation) to increase efficiency and reduce manual time inputs in project budgeting, financial management and reporting processes.

C. Projects Finance and Administration

Together with the FAS Manager, and in coordination with the Project Administration Officer:

• Lead in monitoring the submission of invoices to donors and of tranches paid with the support of the Project Administration Officer
• Ensure monitoring of contract payments and funds received by Clean Air Asia; this includes end-to-end monitoring of contracted services and procurement.
• Help prepare, review, and finalize project financial reports of China and India offices in coordination with the Finance Officer of each office.
• Within specific projects, prepare contracts for consultants and other contractors/suppliers.
• With the FAS Manager, lead in keeping project budget overviews up-to-date monthly and circulating to project leads.
• With FAS manager, lead in recommending and helping implement improvements in contracts management including making use of collaborative tools and project management software.
• Lead in the review for completeness of documentation covering recently completed large projects in preparation for project audits.
• With the FAS manager and the support of the Project Administration Officer, prepare financial proposals in response to calls for proposals.

IV. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA

• Bachelor's degree or higher (Post Graduate preferred) in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred; good understanding of GAAP
• 4 to 7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of accounting operations and close procedures; proficiency with NetSuite of similar accounting software is a must. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, advanced Excel is a must.
• Highly detail oriented and organized in work, demonstrated attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving and results.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and proven ability to manage requirements for tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. A team player with the ability to work independently and as part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

V. DURATION, REMUNERATION and OTHER BENEFITS

The selected candidate will be appointed for two (2) years under a full-time fixed-term staff contract, with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance. The probationary period is 6months. The base monthly remuneration is competitive but may vary subject to the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience. In addition to government-mandated employee benefits, Clean Air Asia provides HMO medical and hospitalization insurance, 24 days paid vacation leaves, up to 10 days sick leave, and observes 13 public holidays per year. Clean Air Asia also provides opportunities for travel domestically and internationally.

All applicants must clearly state in their cover letter how they meet the job specification above, as well as contact details of three referees.

We encourage early applications as applications will be processed as they arrive so the recruiting process may end earlier than closing date. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.