Project Finance Analyst

Job Description

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the USA, the UK, the EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine, and project operations worldwide. DAI tackles fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability: it works on the frontlines of global development, transforming ideas into action-action into impact. DAI is committed to shaping a more liveable world.

DAI is seeking a Project Finance Specialist to join our busy Project Finance Team. This will be a full-time, permanent role. The position will be based in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Become part of the thriving DAI business, located in spacious, bespoke offices, 30 minutes out of Euston - with excellent rail and motorway links to London and region.

Main purpose of role:

Reporting to the HMG Project Finance Manager, the Project Finance Specialist’s primary responsibility is to financially manage a portfolio of programme. This would include project setup within the finance system, accurately recording cost and revenue transactions, client billing, gross profit analysis, forecasting (billing & gross profit) along with other ad hoc reporting specific to each programme. The Project Finance Specialist will work with various stakeholders both internally and externally to DAI.

It is also important that the Project Finance Specialist understands different contract models so that financial management can be accurately aligned.

Processes

• Review and upload of field expense reports to finance system over month end
• Managing and reviewing transactions posted to projects ensuring accurate reporting of portfolio
• Reviewing programmes monthly gross profit against forecasts or budgets and analysing any significant variances
• Accurately accruing revenue and cost where appropriate
• Managing the month end processes for portfolio of projects
• Responsible for checking and authorisation of project related purchase orders, supplier invoices and other costs
• Billing clients regularly and chasing payment of invoices
• Quarterly preparation of financial performance packs
• Where required presenting financial updates of programme performance
• Attend project meetings at start up and throughout the life cycle of a programme
• Regularly preparing forecasts/ budget updates
• Other ad hoc reporting and analysis throughout the year

Relationships

• Establishing strong relationships within the finance teams both project finance and corporate finance
• Develop strong working relationships with the delivery unit
• Where relevant establishing strong working relationships with clients within the HMG Business

Systems

• Ensure that all projects are properly set up and managed in Oracle
• Support PO/procurement process on Oracle
• Strong Microsoft Office user

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

Essential:

• Finance experience, ideally in projects
• Exceptional time management skills - ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple stakeholder expectations, work independently and as part of a team within tight deadlines across various timezones
• Teamwork – support and work collaboratively within the project finance team. Knowledge sharing is crucial within this team
• Strong analytical skills and reasoning skills
• Excellent interpersonal, and both written and verbal communication skills – keeping stakeholders informed.
• Sensitivity in dealing with confidential information
• Self-motivated, goal oriented with a sense of urgency and the ability to support the opportunity to grow
• Proficient MS Office user

Desirable:

• Accountancy qualification (or working towards)
• Experience in professional services (consultancy sector)
• Experience in project related work and fully understands a project life cycle
• Understanding of International Development
• Oracle experience

The salary offered will be commensurate with relevant experience. DAI offers a generous benefits package and there are several day-to-day perks of working at DAI that help keep us happy and motivated!

There is no closing date for applications is and interviews will be held progressively. We are recruiting for these vacancies on a rolling basis, meaning there is no fixed deadline and applications will be assessed as they are received, and the vacancies will remain open until they are filled.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in their preferred location within the UK. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

This job description details the key elements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Job roles evolve over time and job-holders may be required to complete additional tasks in line with business needs.

You will be pleased to know that we strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and that we are working with our clients to reduce the opportunity for people who are known to have breached ethical standards to work in our field.  Any staff and/or consultant contract with DAI, therefore, will be subject to satisfactory reference checking and vetting.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the interview or recruitment process, please contact Victoria_Tres@DAI.Com (Please do not send applications directly to this inbox).

If this role sounds interesting and you would like to be part of DAI’s growing business, bidding for and managing donor-funded projects round the world, we look forward to hearing from you.

About the Organization

DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action – action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more liveable world. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance and instability. We work with a wide range of clients, including national and local governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, private corporations and philanthropies.