Finance & Administration Manager

Background:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in crop inputs, agricultural insights, dairy and animal nutrition from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.

Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for nearly 40 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.

Project Summary:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is preparing for an anticipated USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity with a potential procurement release date in late 2023/early 2024. The purpose of the Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity is to improve Sri Lankan economic competitiveness through an improved business enabling environment, agriculture sector efficiency, increased small and medium business export competitiveness, and upgraded workforce capacity.

Position Summary:

The Finance and Administration Manager will ensure accurate and timely processing of accounting transactions. S/he will be responsible for following Venture37 standard office management processes which govern the administration of project offices. This position partners with and supports the Deputy Chief of Party in all accounting and financial reporting activities, while providing support to the program team surrounding all financial and administrative issues.

Reporting and Supervision

The Finance and Administration Manager reports to the Deputy Chief of Party and will directly supervise accounting and administrative staff. The position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Ensure all accounting transactions for the project, including payroll and payroll related payments, are properly supported, documented and recorded in the accounting system, and that all documentation is retained in accordance with internal procedures and donor policies.
• Track and report all project advances to staff and ensure they are accounted for and cleared per the accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure payments for employee benefits are processed and paid in accordance with local laws.
• Ensure accurate and timely project reports are prepared as required by internal Finance and Accounting policies and donor rules and regulations.
• Monitor program spending by reviewing the monthly project status reports and other management reports for accuracy, impact and potential adjustments.
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting process for the project, ensuring that future budget forecasts are reasonable and reviewed with the technical team.
• Ensure compliance with all local laws and regulations, including payment of taxes.
• Ensure employee timesheets are completed and local payroll is calculated and processed timely and accurately and ensure that changes to salaries or supplemental payments are supported by appropriate documentation.
• Ensure compliance with all Venture37 and donor financial and operational policies which ensure that strong internal controls are maintained.
• Coordinate all necessary audits, statutory requirements, and financial enquiries from donor, the Government of Sri Lanka and HQ; including tax reporting as required by local law.
• Ensure registration requirements are met each year and registration renewal is documented.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting / Economics/Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years in a relevant accounting and financial management role.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint,
• Previous experience in managing U.S. Government grants, agreements, and/or contracts.
• Proven knowledge of USAID regulation and procedures.
• Excellent inter-personal skills managing people in complex projects while under tight deadline schedules.
• Knowledge of Sri Lanka labor and tax laws and reporting procedures.
• Professional proficiency in the English language.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Accounting, Business or other relevant area.
• ACCA/CPA qualifications or certifications.

The position described above is contingent upon activity award.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.

Land O’Lakes never requests money or payment from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So, bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.

How to apply

Please apply through Land O'Lakes website.