Finance Associate

Role Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Finance Associate to support the financial management of donor-funded projects, grants, and strategic initiatives. The Finance Associate will play a key role in project budgeting, financial analysis, proposal development, expenditure monitoring, forecasting, and financial reporting. Working closely with the Finance, Partnerships, and Project teams, the role will help ensure that project finances are accurately planned, effectively monitored, and aligned with internal policies and donor requirements. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with financial data, developing budgets and cost models, and translating financial information into practical insights that support sound project and business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Project Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Develop, review, and manage budgets for donor-funded projects, grants, and strategic initiatives.
• Prepare detailed project budgets, cost structures, pricing assumptions, and financial schedules in

line with funder requirements.

• Assess budget assumptions and validate financial inputs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and feasibility.
• Support project teams in developing realistic and cost-effective budgets that align with project objectives and available funding.
• Participate in budget reviews, revisions, and financial planning exercises throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proposal & Business Development Support
• Provide financial inputs and budget support for proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest, investment submissions, and other business development opportunities.
• Work closely with the Partnerships and Project teams to develop competitive and financially sound proposal budgets.
• Review pricing assumptions, cost allocations, cost-sharing arrangements, and other financial components of funding submissions.
• Ensure proposal budgets are consistent with donor guidelines, contractual requirements, and internal financial policies.
• Support the development and maintenance of financial models and costing tools used for proposals and project planning.
• 3. Project Financial Monitoring & Reporting
• Track project expenditures against approved budgets and identify significant variances, trends, and potential financial risks.
• Monitor project cash flows, funding availability, budgets, and donor disbursements.
• Support periodic budget-versus-actual analysis and provide insights to project teams and management.
• Assist with financial forecasting, budget revisions, reforecasts, and project financial reporting.
• Highlight budget pressures, underspending, overspending, and other financial issues requiring management attention.
• Support the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Donor Compliance & Financial Controls

• Ensure project budgets and financial activities comply with applicable donor requirements, internal policies, and contractual obligations.
• Support the appropriate allocation and classification of project costs.
• Maintain an understanding of donor rules relating to eligible costs, cost-sharing, indirect costs, pricing, and budget modifications.
• Review financial information and supporting documentation to identify inconsistencies, errors, or compliance concerns.
• Support audits, donor reviews, and other financial assurance activities as required.

Financial Data, Tools & Process Improvement

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of project budgets, assumptions, costing methodologies, financial models, and related documentation.
• Develop and maintain Excel/Google Sheets-based financial tools, trackers, and reporting templates.
• Improve project finance processes, systems, tools, and reporting mechanisms to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to automate or streamline recurring financial analysis and reporting activities.
• Ensure financial information is well-organized, reliable, and readily available for decision making.

Collaboration & General Support

• Work collaboratively with Finance, Partnerships, Project, and other relevant teams to address financial and budgeting requirements.
• Provide timely financial guidance and analysis to support project implementation and strategic decision-making.
• Communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance colleagues.
• Undertake other finance-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional qualifications such as ACCA, ICAN, CIMA, CFA, or equivalent are an advantage but not mandatory.

Experience

• 2–4 years of relevant experience in project finance, budgeting, financial analysis, grants management, management accounting, or a related area.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, grants, NGOs, development organizations,consulting engagements, or similar environments is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal budgeting, financial modelling, cost analysis, or project financial management is desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets, including financial modelling, budgeting, data analysis, and reporting.
• Good understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cost structures, financial analysis, and budget versus-actual reporting.
• Ability to develop and maintain clear, accurate, and practical financial models.
• Familiarity with donor financial requirements, cost-sharing arrangements, eligible costs, and pricing principles is an advantage.
• Experience with accounting, ERP, project management, or financial reporting systems is desirable