Position Title

Finance Officer – AMP Himalaya – Action for Mountains and Peoples in the Himalayas

Description

The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is a non-profit organisation focused on rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge generation for use by policy and practice, towards environmental conservation and sustainable, socially just development.

In the Himalaya, ATREE’s strategy is to work towards a future where resilient mountain and downstream societies sustainably enjoy the natural endowment of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) while protecting and preserving its rich biodiversity. ATREE has developed a 10-year strategy called “The Himalaya Initiative (THI)” with its focus in the IHR in the face of increasing biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and climate change impacting the region.

Project AMP-Himalaya is backed by funding support from donors for the 5-year project period.  The project aims to conserve biodiversity, restore landscapes and foster human well-being in the Indian Himalayan Region. Three key areas prioritized to achieve the goal in the IHR are: 1) Assessment, Monitoring, and Conservation of Biodiversity; 2) Restoration of Multi-functional Landscapes; and 3) Nature-based Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Resilience. Integral to these priorities are: the creation of digital knowledge commons to accelerate participatory management and local stewardship; strengthening human resources through training programs for local youth leaders and enhanced environmental educational opportunities; and creating conditions for developing/implementing multi-level mountain-specific policies that prioritize biodiversity conservation and natural resource management at scale.

The project is being implemented in 3 distinct landscapes located in 3 states and 1 union territory of IHR namely: the Khangchendzonga Landscape covering the Darjeeling hills of north Bengal and Sikkim state; the Trans-Himalayan Landscape representing a high dependence on rangelands with agro-pastoral and pastoral systems in Ladakh; and Arunachal Pradesh with the largest, greenest, ethnically diverse and most biodiversity rich landscapes.

Job Profile

ATREE is seeking an experienced finance professional to lead and ensure the effective implementation and management of this project.

You will be a key member of a versatile team led by the Director – The Himalaya Initiative. You will be responsible for representing ATREE with external stakeholders, including government departments, and will collaborate closely with field and regional teams in the IHR, and the ATREE headquarters in Bengaluru.

Scope of role

Reports to: Senior Manager Finance and Director- The Himalaya Initiative
Staff Reporting to This Post: None
Duration of Engagement: 3 years initially, extendable by another 2 years

Responsibilities

  • Finance / Accounting:
    • Preparation of vouchers and review supporting documents, accounting of all expenditure and payments in Accounting/ERP System, processing payments, monthly ledger review, verification of muster rolls for distributable materials, physical verification of assets, fortnightly BRS, archiving & scanning of vouchers on a monthly basis, support to NSO during monthly/annual accounts closure, statutory/ internal/ grant audits, review of bid analysis for procurement of goods & services, maintaining fixed cost allocation tracker, induction to new employees on finance policy & practices, monthly salary allocation amongst grants, review consultancy agreements.
    • Responsible for monitoring and providing support to Head Office Finance in grant management w.r.t grant roll out activities, review of grant performance (Budget vs Actual), Grant closure activities. Accountable for Budgeting activities for new grants as well as Project office expenditure budgets, Fund forecasting for project offices and extending necessary support to Head Office Finance Team whenever required.
    • Responsible for Cost reliving process (charging project office’s Administrative cost to related grants), review of financial transactions, statutory compliances and audit related activities at the project offices.
    • Responsible for follow up actions related to Project office MIS reports, Monthly provisioning of expenses, ensuring proper control and Accounting of Fixed Assets and Stock of project offices under his/her jurisdiction
    • Ensuring proper record of fixed assets, inventory and other project office related assets, including Annual physical verification of Fixed assets/inventory.
    • Support for Financial planning and analysis, Annual budgeting and cash flow forecasting, update MIS in relation to performance.
    • Ensure timely and accurate generation of utilization certificates, support Day to day book-keeping and accounting operations.
    • Support reviewing and strengthening internal controls.
    • Payroll management.
    • Vendor management.
  • Compliance / Regulations / Tax:
    • Tax management (GST, IT, FCRA, FEMA).
    • Tax queries and litigation.
    • Coordination with auditors, tax advisors, legal experts.
    • Filings as required by law
    • Compliance (with specific emphasis on non-profit compliances).
    • Primary point of contact for tax and commercial legal counsel
    • Legal and commercial policies.
    • Support for agreements / MOUs etc. closures and negotiations, as and when required.
  • Risk Management and Insurance.
  • Statutory Audit:
    • Statutory audits, internal audits, external grantor / donor or regulatory audits as and when required.
    • Responsible for preparation of Audit schedule (for assigned areas) and consolidating other audit schedule from various team / project offices and data requirement of the statutory auditors
    • Responsible for preparation of draft four monthly and Annual Financial Statements
    • Responsible for preparing other audit related reports such as variance analysis, ration analysis etc.
    • Responsible for coordinating with Head Office and Project Office Finance for Audit related queries.
    • Formulating / updating policies / processes as necessary
    • Systems implementation / automation / use of technology
  • General Aspects:
  • This is a high visibility, hands-on role in one of India’s leading research / environment Not for Profit.
  • The problems we deal with are often new, and do not have well established solutions.
  • This role will need you to use your experience and technical skills, and combine them with first principles thinking to come up with solutions.
  • You will also need to ensure that the highest levels of governance and controls are in place that uphold the trust that grantors / donors / Trustees place on the organization.

Other responsibilities as determined by the Sr. Programme Manager/ Senior Finance Manager.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • 3-5 years of overall experience in Managing Project Finance.
  • A genuine interest to be in the social impact sector (prior exposure to social impact / NGOs is not necessary).
  • Strong ethics, high integrity, strong verbal and written communication skills, innovative, functional leadership, team player – collaborative + service orientation, adaptable, Hands-on, initiative / self-driven.
  • A Commerce Graduate; Technically Sound in Accounting, Tax, Compliance.
  • Genuine interest to learn and update self continuously in activities of the organization.
  • Ability to manage a team, be a mentor and guide to other team members and drive high performance output.
  • Ability to influence other personnel in a matrix structure.

Reasonably advanced excel and financial modelling skills; exposure to ERP and Tally would be an advantage.

 

Remuneration

ATREE recognizes that the right candidate will have a significant impact on the success of the organization and is prepared to offer an attractive compensation package for the non-profit sector, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Interested individuals can apply using the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Contact

Duty station: The position will be based out of ATREE’s Headquarter in Bengaluru.

Please note: The above responsibilities outline the primary duties of this position. Flexibility and willingness to undertake additional tasks may be required, subject to consultation with the reporting manager.

Diversity Policy: The institution is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities, and those from economically and socially excluded communities to apply for positions with the requisite skills and qualifications.

Note

• Only candidates who are shortlisted for the interview will be contacted.

Date Posted

20 January 2025

Valid Through

February 10, 2025

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Location

Bangalore