Job Description

Position title: Finance Specialist | Location: Colombo | ChildFund office: Nawala, Colombo 5 | Manager/Supervisor title: Finance Director | Position type: Full-time regular | Work environment: On-site

About ChildFund

ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund's Values

ChildFund is creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

• Connection
• Honesty
• Innovation
• Learning
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

ChildFund's Commitment

ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal records checks and other prescreening requirements to safeguard program participants.

About This Role

The Finance Specialist is responsible for ensuring sound financial management of ChildFund Sri Lanka's finance operations, including direct implementation projects, local fundraising and sponsorship-funded activities, and oversight of implementing partners. The role involves supporting financial reporting, compliance monitoring, and analysis to support strategic decision-making. The Finance Specialist provides technical guidance and coordination across key financial functions to ensure consistency, compliance, and quality of deliverables. They support the review and consolidation of financial reports prepared by finance staff and program teams, and serve as a key technical resource on financial management for program and fundraising teams. The Finance Specialist will work under the close supervision of the Multi-Country Finance Director and in coordination with the global Finance and Accounting teams.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial management, preferably in an NGO or nonprofit setting.
• Strong knowledge of Sri Lanka financial regulations, internal controls, tax compliance, and grant compliance requirements.
• Proven experience in partner financial oversight, budget development, and donor financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with financial systems and donor reporting platforms.

Primary Responsibilities

• Financial Planning and Budget Management
  • Support the preparation of annual and project-based budgets for the Foundation, including local fundraising and sponsorship-funded projects, under the supervision of the Multi-Country Finance Director.
  • Assist program teams and partners in the preparation of annual and midyear budgets, ensuring alignment with program designs and donor requirements.
  • Monitor and analyze expenditure trends, provide variance analysis, and recommend appropriate actions to ensure budget performance.
  • Maintain updated price bands and SP/SC allocation criteria for budget accuracy.
• Partner Financial Oversight and Capacity Building
  • Monitor funds transferred to implementing partners and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and liquidation.
  • Conduct regular financial monitoring visits using prescribed tools and document findings and recommendations.
  • Provide coaching and mentoring to partner finance staff to build capacity in financial management, and internal controls.
  • Track partner compliance with Letters of Agreement and follow up on internal and external audit recommendations.
• Local Fundraising and Sponsorship Support
  • Support finance management of locally raised funds, ensuring compliance with internal control standards and donor/stakeholder expectations.
  • Provide financial reports and analysis to support donor engagement and stewardship for local sponsors and partners.
  • Ensure proper coding, tracking, and reporting of all locally raised funds in the financial system.
• Financial Reporting and Compliance
  • Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including board reports, donor reports, and government/regulatory financial statements.
  • Coordinate with the accounting team to ensure timely and accurate submission of statutory and tax requirements (e.g., BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG).
  • Coordinate with the Foundation's accounting team, external auditors, and tax consultants to ensure accurate and compliant financial audits and tax reviews.
  • Maintain updated knowledge on changes in local financial, tax, and regulatory laws affecting the Foundation and ensure policies and procedures are updated accordingly.
  • Support the maintenance of financial records in alignment with organizational policies, donor requirements, and document retention standards.
• Grants and Direct Implementation Support
  • Provide financial oversight of direct implementation projects, ensuring costs are allocated appropriately and spending aligns with project workplans.
  • Develop and monitor project-specific budgets and reports for locally or internationally funded grants.
  • Ensure accurate and complete documentation for project financial transactions and audits.
• Systems, Tools, and Coordination
  • Utilize global financial systems and tools (e.g., eFinancial, eProcurement, Salesforce, Excel) to track performance and support decision-making.
  • Coordinate with grants and program teams to ensure alignment in project implementation and financial documentation.
  • Update and maintain donor/project dashboards and ensure data integrity in reporting platforms.
  • Provide technical guidance to finance staff and collaborate with program and fundraising teams to ensure consistent application of financial policies and tools.
• Other Responsibilities
  • Remain active in child safeguarding risks and adhere to ChildFund's safeguarding policies and protocols.
  • Perform other finance-related duties as may be assigned by the Multi-Country Finance Director, including tasks that may arise due to evolving organizational needs or priorities.

Required Competencies

ChildFund's Core Competencies

• Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
• Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a story-telling approach when appropriate.
• Results orientation: sets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
• Decision making: uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
• Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
• Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends and embraces technological solutions to business challenges.

Other Required Competencies

• Excellent operations, project management, organizational, budgeting, and logistical abilities.
• Knowledge of various bi- or multi-lateral grant mechanisms
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English required.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail with a track record of consistently meeting tight deadlines.
• Lead communication to donors on finance, technical and contractual related matters.
• Previous Experience leading a team.
• The ability to travel periodically.

Vacancy Link: https://weconnectchildfund.my.salesforce-sites.com/careers/fRecruit__ApplyJob?vacancyNo=VN3332&

Deadline: 1st of September 2026

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