Project Background

Aiming Change for Tomorrow (ACT) International, in partnership with UNICEF Punjab and in coordination with BISP/Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP), the Punjab Department of Health, Lady Health Worker Programme and relevant district stakeholders, will implement BNP 3.0 across ten districts of Punjab.

The programme aims to improve maternal, child and adolescent nutrition and strengthen gender-responsive nutrition and social protection systems among BISP beneficiary households. Activities will be delivered through existing BNP Facilitation Centres, Support Centres and community structures.

The programme will focus on Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), maternal and child nutrition, Early Childhood Development (ECD), parenting and nurturing care, community engagement, counselling, referrals, follow-up, youth engagement and capacity development. Staff will work closely with communities and stakeholders to support awareness, mobilization, referrals and beneficiary engagement.

All staff are expected to uphold ACT, UNICEF, BISP/BNP and Government of Punjab policies and standards, including gender equality, disability inclusion, safeguarding, PSEA, child protection, confidentiality, accountability to affected populations and responsible data management. Staff will perform only approved non-clinical roles and will not diagnose, prescribe, treat or provide clinical services.

Job Purpose

The Project Finance Manager will lead and oversee the financial management of BNP 3.0, ensuring effective budgeting, financial reporting, donor compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness. The position will support timely programme implementation while ensuring that project resources are managed transparently, efficiently, and in accordance with ACT International policies, approved budgets, and applicable donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Budget Management

• Maintain project budgets, budget-monitoring tools, expenditure trackers, and financial forecasts.
• Monitor expenditure against approved workplans, budget lines, implementation schedules, and financial requirements.
• Analyse budget variances, spending trends, commitments, and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Support programme teams in preparing realistic budgets for trainings, field activities, events, campaigns, and other interventions.
• Support budget revisions, reallocations, and realignments in accordance with approved procedures.
• Provide regular budget-utilization analysis and financial updates to management and programme teams.

Financial Management & Accounting

• Review payment requests, supporting documents, approvals, advances, liquidations, and other financial transactions for completeness and compliance.
• Ensure accurate coding, recording, classification, filing, and reconciliation of financial transactions.
• Monitor staff and operational advances and ensure timely liquidation of outstanding balances.
• Support timely payment processing, settlements, bank reconciliations, and account reconciliations.
• Maintain complete, organized, and auditable financial records and approval trails.
• Support fund-flow planning and financial support to field operations.

Donor Compliance & Financial Reporting

• Ensure compliance with approved donor agreements, financial requirements, budgets, cost principles, and reporting timelines.
• Review expenditures for eligibility, accuracy, supporting documentation, and alignment with approved budget lines.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and other required financial reports and expenditure statements.
• Coordinate with programme teams to ensure consistency between programme implementation, workplans, narrative reporting, and financial reporting.
• Maintain financial records required for donor monitoring, verification, and audits.
• Follow up on donor, audit, and management observations related to financial compliance.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Apply internal controls, delegated authorities, approval limits, and segregation-of-duty requirements.
• Conduct routine financial checks, spot reviews, and compliance monitoring of project transactions and field documentation.
• Identify financial risks, unsupported expenditure, irregularities, unusual transactions, and potential budget overruns.
• Advise management on financial risk mitigation and follow up on agreed corrective actions.
• Ensure confidentiality, security, and controlled access to financial records.
• Support fraud prevention and reporting processes in accordance with ACT policies.

Programme & Operational Support

• Coordinate with programme teams on workplans, cash-flow requirements, spending priorities, and implementation risks.
• Provide financial guidance to programme and field teams on documentation, budget controls, advances, payments, and procedures.
• Coordinate with Admin & Logistics on procurement plans, supplier payments, event costs, asset-related transactions, and supporting documentation.
• Review the financial implications of trainings, workshops, cooking demonstrations, kiosks, theatre, campaigns, and other programme activities.
• Support financial planning for multi-district implementation and minimize delays caused by funding or documentation issues.

Audit, Verification & Capacity Building

• Coordinate financial requirements for internal and external audits, donor verification visits, and financial reviews.
• Facilitate timely retrieval and submission of financial records and supporting documentation.
• Respond to audit queries in coordination with relevant departments and programme teams.
• Track audit findings, management responses, and corrective actions until closure.
• Orient relevant staff on financial procedures, budget controls, advance management, and documentation requirements.
• Promote financial accountability, integrity, and responsible use of programme resources.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration, or a relevant discipline.
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CA, CMA, or equivalent will be an advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in financial management.
• Demonstrated experience in project budgeting, financial reporting, expenditure monitoring, donor compliance, and audit coordination.
• Experience managing financial systems for multi-location or multi-component programmes.
• Experience with NGOs, INGOs, or donor-funded development/humanitarian programmes will be an advantage.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of project financial management, accounting principles, and internal controls.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, and audit preparation skills.
• Good understanding of donor financial compliance, documentation, and eligible-cost requirements.
• Strong Excel and financial accounting system skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication, coordination, problem-solving, and deadline-management skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professional accountability.

Code of Conduct, Safeguarding & Ethics

The position holder is expected to comply with ACT International's Code of Conduct and applicable programme requirements, including:

• Data protection and confidentiality standards.
• Do No Harm, safeguarding, gender equality, inclusion, and ethical programme principles.
• Respect for the dignity, privacy, and rights of programme participants.
• No unauthorized collection or disclosure of personal information.
• Zero tolerance for fraud, data manipulation, misconduct, exploitation, abuse, harassment, or negligence.
• Compliance with ACT International's Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards and reporting mechanisms.

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team management
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Technical expertise
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Coordination and networking
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Results orientation
• Accountability and integrity
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment to safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusion

Equal Opportunity Statement

ACT International is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates, including women and persons with disabilities.