JOB PURPOSE:
The SSA Consultant (Finance & Monitoring), under the direct guidance of the team Lead (PMU), UPSRLM and Programme Policy Officer (Nutrition) based at the Lucknow Project office and the overall guidance of the Head of the Nutrition and School Feeding will be responsible for the following
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive)
Project Management
- Assist in planning, development, and implementation of activities and processes in THR units, aligned with guidance from WFP and UPSRLM.
- Act as a point of contact for resolving operational queries and challenges within production units.
- Oversee and review unit operations, offering practical advice to ensure delivery of objectives within agreed standards and timelines.
- Support organization and facilitation of capacity-building initiatives for women-led microenterprises on project-related aspects.
Project Monitoring
- Conduct regular field visits (approx. 4 5 days/month) to assigned districts to monitor project implementation.
- Identify gaps at the unit level and suggest mid-course corrections in coordination with SRLM and WFP.
- Review budgetary estimates and expenditures of each unit.
Financial Management & Oversight
Billing System & Invoice Management
- Facilitate and monitor the decentralized billing system as per ICDS Department guidelines.
- Maintain a regularly updated MIS/invoice tracking sheet to monitor payment status of THR units.
- Present fortnightly analytical reports on invoice status, delays, and corrective actions.
- Coordinate with THR plants and initiate correspondence regarding billing and payment issues.
Vendor Payment Monitoring
- Coordinate with vendors supplying materials to THR plants to ensure timely bill payments.
- Maintain a vendor payment MIS in consultation with the vendors and THR Plants and communicate with THR plants for timely payments and procurement norms to avoid supply disruptions.
Audit Coordination & Financial Analysis as when required
- Follow up with auditors for timely completion of annual audits of THR plants.
- Consolidate audit reports and generate analytical summaries for each plant.
- Provide training on audit documentation and compliance with audit norms.
Budgeting & Expenditure Review
- Review budgetary estimates and expenditures of each THR unit.
- Train BMMs/DMMs on budgeting, financial forecasting, and sequencing of purchase orders and fixed payments.
- Compile financial data and prepare reports on budgets and accounting.
- Monitor petty cash accounts to ensure availability and proper utilization.
Coordination
- Liaise with government counterparts at State and district levels (DWCD and SRLM) to facilitate fund releases and payment processing.
- Follow up on financial receipt submissions and reimbursements with the team leader.
- Support identification and management of partnerships to enhance financial sustainability of THR units.
Training and Capacity Building
- Provide training to THR unit staff on financial capability enhancement and audit documentation.
- Conduct training for THR plant staff and PMU on finance, billing, documentation, bookkeeping, and audit compliance.
- Train BMMs/DMMs on budgeting, financial forecasting, and oversight of THR unit finances.
- Train THR plant staff on SOPs and ensure implementation through manuals and handouts.
- Build awareness among BMMs/DMMs and plant staff on cleanliness, preventive maintenance, and its financial impact.
Perform other related duties as required.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Completion of secondary school education. A university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related fields is preferable.
EXPERIENCE
- 6 years of progressively responsible work experience preferably in the development sector in partnership with the government/UN agency/INGO. Experience on supporting the implementation of projects or working on projects targeted at addressing malnutrition at the community level is desirable.
LANGUAGE
- Fluency in spoken and written English and Hindi; ability to speak in other Indian languages is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
- Excellent interpersonal skills required, including strong professionally communication ability.
- Advocacy and networking skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, academia, NGO and international cooperation.
- Knowledge of research methods with familiarity in quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Windows, Microsoft office.
- Knowledge of UN system would be an asset.
- Knowledge of WFP programmes are an advantage.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of nutrition and food security experts across fourteen countries.
- Tact and diplomacy.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
- Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of actors from government, private sector and civil society.
- Very strong communications skills, both in writing and speaking.
- Solid planning and problem-solving skills and action oriented.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks in an autonomous manner.
- Maturity, initiative, courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to handle any other additional tasks as requested by the supervisor.
- Ability to undertake travel within the country.
- Ability and willingness to pick up new tasks especially in a collaborative, feedback-driven environment.
