Finance Officer

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Finance Officer
Sector: Finance
Position Type : Full time
Duration/Level of Effort : Long term
Position Location: Kyiv, Ukraine


SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Background
While the war in Ukraine is ongoing, it is crucial to lay the groundwork for recovery and reconstruction. The program will support capacities for raising and effectively managing public finances within a group of five cities of regional importance in the western and central parts of Ukraine in a tailor-made approach. A scale-up of the number of beneficiary cities is foreseen for future phases, depending on the situation. Focus topics include internal audit, domestic revenue mobilization and public investment management. By strengthening accountability, increasing fiscal space and supporting a strategic allocation of investments, trust of citizens in their local government will be strengthened, cities will become less dependent on the national level, and public funds will be used in a more effective and efficient manner.

Strengthened local fiscal governance is of key importance for foreign investors, including from Switzer-land. Companies investing into the reconstruction of Ukraine depend on reliable framework conditions in the country, especially when operating from within Ukraine. This includes quality public services, for example in administrative services, functioning infrastructure, such as in transport and utilities as well as an accountable and transparent local administration. This program will support Ukrainian cities in strengthening those framework conditions and thereby attract additional investments going forward.

Project
The Fiscal Governance for Local Reconstruction and Recovery (FG4R) project is a strategic initiative funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Its purpose is to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts in the context of ongoing conflict by strengthening the fiscal capacities of local governments in selected cities across western and central Ukraine. The project focuses on improving the ability of municipalities to raise and manage public finances effectively. Key areas include internal audit, domestic revenue mobilization, and public investment management. By enhancing these functions, FG4R aims to foster accountability, increase fiscal space, and support the strategic allocation of investments at the local level. Initially targeting five cities of regional importance: Zhytomyr, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi, the program is designed to be scalable, with the potential to expand to additional cities in future phases depending on the evolving situation in Ukraine.

The project operates through four main components:

1. Budget Accountability and Transparency
2. Revenue Mobilization and Debt Management
3. Strategic Budget Allocation
4. Knowledge Capture and Exchange

The first phase of FG4R covers the period from November 2025 to October 2029. All activities are implemented in accordance with Swiss development cooperation legislation and the associated ordinances, with objectives and activities detailed in the project’s logical framework and annexes.


SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Finance Officer will support the financial management and procurement functions of the FG4R project throughout the life of the project. The role focuses on day-to-day financial operations, forecasting, invoicing, reconciliations, procurement management, and coordination with Cowater HQ to ensure that all financial transactions and procurement actions comply with Cowater and SECO requirements.

The Finance Officer will play a key role in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting donor reporting requirements, managing procurement processes for project goods and services, and ensuring that the project operates in compliance with both Cowater internal policies and SECO financial management standards.

The position will contribute to ensuring smooth financial operations across all project components and will support both operational delivery and financial accountability for project activities implemented across the beneficiary cities.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Finance Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Invoicing, Timesheets, and Donor Financial Requirements

• Review timesheets, invoices, and expense claims from national and international experts for accuracy and compliance with project and donor requirements.
• Ensure all supporting documentation for invoicing is complete, compliant, and properly filed.
• Respond to questions from team members regarding invoicing, expense claims, and allowable costs.
• Support the preparation and review of financial documentation required for donor reporting.

2. Banking, Payments, and Reconciliation

• Receive, check, and prepare payment requisitions for suppliers, consultants, and service providers.
• Liaise with Cowater HQ to ensure timely processing of payments.
• Reconcile project bank accounts and cash balances on a regular basis.
• Monitor project expenditures against budget allocations and flag any variances or risks to the Project Manager and HQ finance team.

3.Procurement Management

• Manage procurement processes for goods and services required by the project in accordance with Cowater policies and SECO procurement regulations.
• Prepare procurement documentation including purchase requisitions, competitive analyses, vendor evaluations, and approval forms.
• Obtain and review competitive quotations for project procurements.
• Maintain a complete and audit-ready procurement trail for all procurement actions.
• Support procurement of goods and services required for project activities including:
• IT equipment and office equipment
• Translation and interpretation services
• Venue hire and event logistics
• Communication and design services
• Travel and logistical arrangements for national and international experts

4. Fixed Asset and Inventory Management

• Maintain an up-to-date register of all project assets including IT equipment and other procured items.
• Ensure all assets are appropriately tagged and recorded in the asset register.
• Conduct periodic physical verification of assets and reconcile records accordingly.
• Coordinate asset handover and tracking for project staff and consultants as required.

5. Financial Reporting and Audit Support

• Support the preparation of internal financial reports for Cowater HQ.
• Contribute financial inputs for donor reporting requirements including reports to SECO.
• Provide financial documentation and support during internal and external audits.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date books of accounts and supporting financial documentation.

6. General Administrative, Compliance, and Coordination

• Ensure all financial and procurement records are properly filed and maintained in accordance with Cowater and SECO standards.
• Assist the Project Manager and senior team in addressing financial compliance questions and operational financial planning.
• Attend project coordination meetings and provide financial and procurement updates as needed.
• Coordinate with Cowater HQ finance and procurement teams to ensure smooth project implementation.
• Provide administrative and financial support to project activities and events where required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• A university degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field. A professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CIMA) is an asset.

Minimum Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of experience in financial management, accounting, and/or procurement for donor-funded or international development projects.

Essential Skills:

• Strong knowledge of financial processes including budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, reconciliations, and expense verification.
• Demonstrated experience managing procurement processes, including competitive selection, documentation, supplier liaison, and compliance with organisational or donor rules.
• Experience coordinating travel logistics, ideally in complex operational environments or projects requiring duty-of-care compliance.
• Proficiency using accounting and financial tracking software, as well as strong Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, reconciliation tools).
• Familiarity with asset management procedures and maintaining asset registers.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate, audit-ready records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to relay financial and procurement guidance clearly and diplomatically to team members and suppliers.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, handle sensitive information with discretion, and escalate risks appropriately.
• Experience working with Swiss, EU, DFID/FCDO, USAID, or similar donor rules is an advantage.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by March 31, 2026 as soon as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.