CATALYZE, PSD, Senior Finance Officer

Project Overview and Role:

The CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) activity is designed to bolster Micro, Small- and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs) in high growth potential sectors (tourism, information, and communication technology (ICT), apparel, and food processing) in Sri Lanka. These sectors were selected for their potential to generate growth opportunities for MSMEs and for women in the workplace and as entrepreneurs. To do this, PSD will support MSMEs to access technical assistance (TA) and financing needed to increase MSME revenues, generate productive employment opportunities (including and especially for women), and ultimately contribute to economic diversification. The Activity is organized under three outcome areas: 1) Strengthen MSME competitiveness in target sectors (i.e., tourism, ICT, food sector); 2) Expand financial services to MSMEs; 3) Increase women's labor force participation.

Palladium seeks a Senior Finance Officer for the USAID/Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity is a 5-year, $12 million buy-in program under USAID's global CATALYZE Blended Finance Mechanism. PSD will strengthen SME competitiveness in high-growth sectors that also have strong potential to effectively engage women as business owners and employees. Both directly and through business advisory service (BAS)providers, PSD will support SMEs to access blended finance opportunities, generate demand, and more effectively engage women in their operations. The project will initially focus on five target sectors: tourism, information and communication technology, commercial care, apparel, and food processing. Given the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sri Lankan public health and the local economy, PSD will also support economic relief to SMEs to boost their long-term resilience and adaptation through the pandemic.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

TheSenior Finance Officer on CATALYZE PSD will report to the Director of Operations and will be responsible for the overall management of PSD's finances. Specific responsibilities of PSD's Senior Finance Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee implementation and ongoing adherence to Palladium's finance and accounting procedures.
  
• Track expenditures across various USAID funding streams.
  
• Draft weekly fund transfer requests and budget reports.
  
• Prepare and submit bi-monthly field vouchers to Palladium HQ for review and processing.
  
• Oversee management of PSD's Sri Lankan bank accounts according to company policies and procedures.
  
• Track vendor/subcontractor invoice submission, review for compliance with USAID cost principles, prepare payment approval forms, and ensure prompt payment.
  
• Maintain trackers for all relevant procurements on the project and ensure that all payments are accurately projected.
  
• Work with the grants manager to ensure that grantees deliverables are submitted and paid in a timely manner.
  
• Reviews contracts to ensure that all deliverables are compliant with both contractual and USAID requirements.
  
• Regularly meet with technical POCs to gather contract status updates.
  
• Conduct spot checks, coordinate internal project audits, and support external project audits as required.
  
• Respond to reporting requests from HQ as needed.
  
• Oversee payroll for country office staff in compliance with Sri Lankan labor law; and
  
• Provide timely and accurate financial reports to management and home office.
  
• Manages procurements as needed
  
• Other tasks as requested by Director of Operations, Activity Team Lead and AMU.

Required Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience in Accounting, finance, Administration, international development, or another relevant field.
  
• Ability to track and manage multiple activities at one time.
  
• Knowledge of local labor laws.
  
• Knowledge of local finance laws and tax regulations.
  
• Ability to flourish in a rapidly changing organization and operate comfortably with ambiguity and complexity.
  
• Experience promoting the value of diversity, equity and inclusion.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.