Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world. 

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.    

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

Opportunity 2.0, funded by USAID, will strengthen second-chance education programs for vulnerable out-of-school youth in the Philippines. Opportunity 2.0 will collaborate and work with national and local systems supporting youth in order to provide 180,000 youth with the skills and opportunities to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes.

Achieving this vision will require a multi-faceted, systems-strengthening approach that aligns the formal education system, markets, and youth “sub-systems” at the regional levels. This will be achieved by providing experienced project personnel embedded in government departments; further aligning the input of technical assistance; and maximizing opportunities to bring together the respective stakeholders to identify and refine synergies and transition pathways for youth, particularly between Department of Education (DepEd)’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Position Description 

The Finance Officer – Davao will assist the Senior Finance Manager and the Deputy Chief of Party for Operations and Finance in successfully completing the financial duties required for the project. These duties will include budgeting, procurement oversight, and records management. This position will be responsible for preparing timely and accurate financial reporting and assist in the preparation of monthly financial spreadsheets, cash flow forecasts, data entry, corresponding with vendors as appropriate, and ensuring the Davao regional hub sites follow EDC and USAID financial procedures. The Davao regional hub includes the following project sites: Davao, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos, Cotabato, and Iligan City in Mindanao.

Essential Functions

The Finance Officer’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Budget and financial accounting:

• Responsible for the processing of financial transactions and the application of proper accounting principles and standards, internal controls, and financial file management; maintenance of QuickBooks; generation of monthly financial reports and general support to project activities.
• Support the Senior Finance Manager in ensuring compliance with the requirements of USAID award.
• Support the Senior Finance Manager in conducting day-to-day finance operations, including implementation of EDC and USAID policies, procedures, and systems.
• Prepare check and journal vouchers, ensuring accuracy of account codes and completeness of supporting documents. 
• Manage the process of clearing bills, payments, and vouchers, including a review and certification of supporting documentation to ensure it is compliant with local tax laws, as well as USAID and EDC policies.
• Prepare the bank reconciliation of each account prior to the monthly close
• Ensure timely remittances and submission of mandatory reports to government regulatory agencies e.g. BIR.
• Coordinate with other units regarding the major activities or purchases for inclusion in the Cash Forecast.
• Prepare and submit the monthly cash forecast to the Senior Finance Manager for consolidation.
• Support the effective implementation against approved budget, and regularly monitor actual expenditures against it.
• Records project transactions in QuickBooks, utilizing the correct charge codes and monitoring alignment to budgeted activities.
• Conduct a petty cash count at cut-off period prior to replenishment and periodically conduct surprise petty cash counts.
• Other routine financial transactions.

Record-keeping and reporting

• Review the supporting documentation, ensuring consistent application of accounting principles and standards, observing internal controls, compliance with USAID, government regulatory requirements and EDC policies and procedures.
• Assist the Senior Finance Manager to produce and disseminate monthly financial performance reports against budget for use and guidance of O2 management team and other concerned employees, in a timely and accurate manner.
• In close coordination with administrative team, reconcile fixed assets per books against the commodity list prepared by authorized administrative staff
• Generate listing of equipment, furniture and fixtures and other assets procured during the year
• In close coordination with administrative team, reconcile fixed assets per books against the commodity list prepared by authorized administrative staff
• Participate in the conduct of commodity count in Davao Regional Hub (Davao, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos, Cotabato, and Iligan City)
• Conduct proper filing and safekeeping of accurate and complete support information for audit purposes.
• Support the preparation of all supporting information for audits.
• Assist with periodic reports as appropriate and submit inputs timely.
• Review/ensure completeness of supporting documentation prior to photocopying/scanning
• Review copies of supporting documentation before transmittal to Manila Office
• Coordinate and follow-up with designated project staff on timely submission of TraiNet-related cost data. Provide collected cost data to designated TraiNet focal point.

Others

• Ensure the reliability and integrity of financial documentation and reports.
• Ensure EDC compliance with government requirements.
• Understand the terms of USAID award, specifically the expected project results, and be compliant with these requirements.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism and ethics when dealing with sensitive and confidential documents and information, and with co-workers and EDC partners.

Organizational Relationships and Employment Status

• Reports to Manila-based Senior Finance Manager
• Field level oversight by Senior Education and Youth Development Advisor (Senior EDC Employee in Davao Hub)
• Supervises: N/A
• Based in Davao City and available to travel to other O2 project sites
• Full-time employee

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  

• B.A. in Accounting or related field required, a Certified Public Accountant preferred

Skills and Experience:  

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in similar position
• Familiarity with USAID regulations
• Knowledge of QuickBooks accounting software preferred
• Demonstrated personal and professional integrity
• Proficiency in Excel and MS Word
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with teams
• Excellent people skills at all levels, cultural sensitivity, ability to work well under pressure, negotiate diplomatically, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary work environment
• Ability to prepare presentations and reports
• Willingness to work and travel in all project areas

Language:  

• Excellent oral communication skills in Filipino and oral and written communication skills in English

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.