OBJECTIVE
The objective of obtaining the services of Accountant is to assist KTK-BELT and the various partner Learning Grounds in carrying out the essential accounting and financial functions for the implementation of the project. The input from the officer is to ensure adoption of proper procedures with economy, efficiency, fairness and transparency as well as to implement accounting and finance activities in a timely manner. The objective also includes training of other local finance and admin personnel within the Learning Grounds to ensure a culture of transparency, best practices, and financial integrity, compliant with the laws of the GoN and international standards of donor agencies.
SCOPE OFWORK
The Accountant will work directly under the super vision and instruction of the KTK-BELT Co-directors and Admin officer and be based in Eastern Nepal. S/he works directly with local Learning Grounds directors and finance officers, to ensure smooth and risk-free financial operation. S/he helps develop annual budgets, maintains accounts for different grants to ensure donor compliance and best practices, prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements according to Donor and GoN requirements, conducts internal aud its and works with external auditors to ensure efficient and accurate compliance, and keeps record of any financial irregularity and/ or settlements.
The officer will also be responsible or the daily flow of logistical and administrative works, as directed. S/he will also be responsible for carrying out the internal and external audits for the local Learning Grounds partners, keeping track of investment by KTK-BELT in Learning Grounds activities and programs, tracking gross income and expenditure of Learning Grounds, and communicating with project co-directors regarding whether or not income/ expenditure targets are being met. S/he will also develop annual budgets for each Learning Grounds, under the direction of KTK-BELT co-directors. S/he will be responsible for timely stipend and salary disbursement and setting up a professional system for time sheets, advanced payments, and reimbursement.
RESPONSIBILITES:
· Ensure implementation of best practices in budgeting, accounting, auditing and procurement, compliant with the law of Nepal and meeting international requirements
· Ensure that the financial management practices endorsed by KTK-BELT adhere to local by-laws
· Ensure availability of financial information for examination, assessment and review by donor partners and the GoN
· Ensure that earmarked funds are used for explicitly stated purposes
· Ensure vetting of payments
· Establish consistency in financial planning and budgeting for all programs and components
RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO ACCOUNTING:
Develop a long-term accounting system for KTK-BELT and Learning Grounds that is sustainable, transparent, efficient, user-friendly, useful for audits and reporting, and compliant with all national and international laws.
RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO AUDITING:
Organize annual audits in accordance with International Standards of Auditing. Institutionalize and implement internal auditing practice for KTK-BELT and Learning Grounds
RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO PROCUREMENT:
Develop a long-term procurement system, which embodies best practices and is compliant with all laws, while meeting the specific nature of KTK-BELT’s projects and initiatives.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS/ SPECIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
· BBA and MBA degree, strongly preferred
· At least 3years of experience working with NGOs and/or INGOs in Nepal
· Complete fluency in written and spoken English and Nepalese, and typing skills in both languages
· Experience in organizing internal and external audits
· Experience in logistical and administrative tasks including book in travel, printing, maintaining files, and disbursing salaries as per time sheets and work contract deliverables
· Prior experience in project finance, accounting, and administrative work required
· Prior experience of working in NGO environment with experience of coordinating with international donors on accounting/financial management is required.
· Demonstrated computerized financial management, accounting and procurement skills
· Verifiable track record of working with GoN financial and accounting rules
· Expert in explaining financial report ton on-finance staff is a requirement
· Prior experience that includes handling and processing financial transactions in international standards
· Knowledge of specific Nepali rules and regulations regarding finance and accounting, and ability to brief non- finance staff these rules and regulations in an effective manner
· Strong written and oral presentation skills in English and Nepali are required
· Highest degree of personal integrity
· Ability to walk across difficult terrain to reach project sites
· Highly professional with strong inter personal skills
· Highest degree of gender and caste sensitivity is a must
The initial contract is for a theee-month term with one-month trial basis. Please submit your cover letter, CV, 3 work samples and 3 references with a range for salary expectations to info@belt-project.org/ pemabhutia@belt-project.org including the position title in the subject heading of your email.
ABOUT KTK-BELT
KTK-BELT (www.belt-project.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2014 to catalyze new models of biodiversity conservation and environmental learning in eastern Nepal. Its mission is to work with teachers, farmers, youth, and women to create a ‘Vertical University’ that will span from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary (67 m.) to Kanchenjunga (8,586 m.), the third tallest peak in the world. The idea is to give a framework to local farmers to become ‘professors’ of the Vertical University, to share their indigenous knowledge while conserving threatened species and landscapes.
KTK-BELT works with non-profit cooperatives called ‘Learning Grounds.’ Each Learning Ground, governed by a diverse local Board, owns its own biodiversity-rich conservation land base, which it holds in perpetuity in order to prevent ecosystem fragmentation and deforestation. Local BELT Youth Fellows, trained by KTK-BELT staff, run and administer the Learning Grounds.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
KTK-BELT is working with the Rainforest Trust to create new Conservation Areas in the eastern region of Nepal. The new Conservation Area will help expand protected areas, safeguarding endangered species on the IUCN Red List. To achieve this, KTK-BELT is building a team of project managers, thematic experts, community mobilizers, and youth fellows, to work at both the community level and at the advocacy level.
