Program Budget Manager
Counterpart International is seeking a talented individual with outstanding critical thinking and analytical skills to join our Program Support Unit (PSU) as Program Budget Manager. The Program Budget Manager is a member of a team of professionals working under the supervision of the PSU Director. The team is responsible for the coordination, monitoring, execution, and delivery of timely and effective services to programs. The Program Budget Manager works in close collaboration with the rest of the PSU team and the Programs unit to support individual programs and is a key interface between these units and Counterpart’s Finance team. The Program Budget Manager provides value-added insights to enable effective budget management of programs and prepares portfolio-wide budget analyses and compiles data as needed. He/She ensures all programs have a working budget tracker tool with up-to-date information and provides support to programs in troubleshooting so tools function properly. The Program Budget Manager proposes streamlined changes to budget tools to maximize efficiency and provides training on budget management to program teams.
Responsibilities:
Project Budgeting and Forecasting
– Coordinate periodic and annual project budgeting/forecasting exercises, working closely with PSU points of contact to ensure timely completion within adequate quality standards.
– Prepare financial reports such as project dashboards, dashboard reporting on indirect costs, backlog reports, and ad hoc requests from the Finance or the Senior Leadership Team.
– Prepare budget tracker tool for annual corporate budget process for all programs and is a resource for program teams who have questions about the process.
– Provide support to PSU and program teams as they develop and update forecasts for life of project budgets.
– Complete analysis of project budgets for completeness and to ensure compliance with regulations and promote full cost recovery.
– Work with New Business Development and Programs teams to estimate and track annual revenue projections for existing, new, and potential projects.
– Provide historic cost data and advise on budgetary and financial questions that may arise during proposal development.
Project Budget Tracking and Analysis
– Prepare the budget tracker tool for each new program.
– Troubleshoot problems that arise in project budget tracking tools and systems, and review accuracy of budget data in Microsoft Dynamics Serenic Navigator (NAV) and PowerBI monthly.
– Update actuals information in program budget tracking tools monthly (automatically from NAV system) and share them with program teams.
– Consolidate variance analyses from project teams and project related LOE reports for Executive leadership, as requested.
– Provide programs information regarding tracking indirect rates to ensure full cost recovery for all projects.
– Track indirect spending on programs and share information with projects in a timely manner, particularly during final year.
– Provide ongoing guidance to program teams in using budget tracking tools and systems to ensure accuracy, maximize efficiency, and enhance performance.
– Provide budget data to program teams for quarterly progress reports.
– Develop additional streamlined project budget management tools as needed.
Project Budget Management
– Develop and deliver training sessions, as necessary, for Counterpart US and project offices on budget management and use of CI budget tracking tools.
– Share guidance on project financial controls and compliance.
– Champion improved operational efficiency for budget management best practices and support, and provide direct guidance to project teams on budget management.
Segregation of Duties
– Provide guidelines for program teams to develop and update their Segregation of Duties (SoD).
– Review programs’ SODs (and update requests), provide input, and liaise with PSU Director and Finance Associate Director for review and clearance.
Direct Program Support
– The Program Budget Manager may provide direct operational management support to programs.
Annual Salary Range: $73,000-$96,000
Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree required in accounting or finance-related field.
– Minimum 8 years of relevant project management or project/program coordination experience.
– Master’s degree in finance or business administration desired.
– Experience providing ongoing project management support in budget, financial management, and compliance to USG-funded programs required.
– Minimum of two-years’ experience in accounting and/or finance, preferably in the international development environment.
– Solid understanding of financial and accounting processes and controls, as well as USG regulations and laws (i.e., GAAP).
– Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Serenic Navigator or similar systems, PowerBI or similar financial reporting system preferred.
– Self-starter – ability to work independently and without close supervision, and as part of diverse teams.
– Demonstrated ability to show initiative, solve problems, handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
– Meticulous attention to detail, as well as outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving ability.
– Strong time management skills, proven capacity to prioritize and initiate follow-through.
– Strong customer service orientation and written and oral communication skills.
– Advanced MS Office applications, especially Excel and SharePoint.
– Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
– Willingness to travel to visit programs as needed.