At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-impact programmes with financial expertise and compliance across diverse grants.
- Company: Mission-driven international charity focused on development and humanitarian work.
- Benefits: Remote work flexibility, dynamic team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in global programmes while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or fully qualified in finance with NGO experience preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong international team engagement.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Job Description
A respected and mission-driven international development and humanitarian charity is seeking a Programme Finance Officer to join their dynamic finance team on a fixed-term contract for one year. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to play a pivotal part in supporting diverse, high-impact programmes worldwide. It would suit a finance professional with international NGO experience who thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, working across both humanitarian response and development programming. It is a largely remote role, with the option to work from a Central London office and one day a month in London required for departmental meetings.
About the Role
As a Programme Finance Officer, you will provide critical financial expertise across a diverse portfolio of grants and contracts, supporting both emergency response and longer-term development initiatives. You will work closely with colleagues in London and Country Offices, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in donor-funded programme delivery. Your responsibilities will include:
- Proposal and Bid Development: Advising on cost recovery, risk costing, donor compliance, exchange rates, and taxation; preparing UK-based cost inputs and developing detailed budgets.
- Programme Delivery Support: Assisting Country Offices with budget creation, monitoring spend (burn rates, KPIs, foreign exchange), and guiding award start-up through to close-out.
- Donor and Organisational Reporting: Producing donor-ready financial reports, supporting donor audits, and contributing to organisational reporting on matched funding, disallowances, and pipeline tracking.
- Process and Systems: Designing/adapting Excel-based financial templates, supporting adoption of PS Financials (with training provided), and liaising with Country Offices using SAP.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building strong relationships across international teams, contributing to cross-departmental initiatives, and confidently managing consortium negotiations.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring a mix of technical skill, adaptability, and confidence. Specifically, you will:
- Be part-qualified or fully qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or hold equivalent finance qualifications, with a sound knowledge of accounting principles.
- Have experience in budgeting, donor reporting, and proposal development within an international NGO or charity.
- Demonstrate familiarity with donor compliance (FCDO, EU, UN, and commercial contract frameworks).
- Be proficient in Excel (advanced skills highly desirable), with the ability to adapt and design templates efficiently.
- Possess excellent communication skills, able to work across diverse, international teams and confidently push back in negotiations when required.
- Thrive under pressure and remain calm during rapid-turnaround funding bids (e.g., 72-hour emergency fund applications).
We welcome applications from candidates without an international NGO background, provided bring strong adaptability, the right knowledge base, and a willingness to learn quickly.
Programme Finance Officer employer: Altum Consulting
Contact Detail:
Altum Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Finance Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the NGO sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Programme Finance Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's mission and recent projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in their work. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points to impress the interviewers!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial skills with real-world scenarios. Brush up on budgeting and donor reporting techniques that are relevant to the role. Being able to demonstrate your expertise in these areas during interviews will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Finance Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Programme Finance Officer role. Highlight your international NGO experience, budgeting skills, and any relevant qualifications to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission. Don’t forget to mention specific examples of your work in finance and donor reporting.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since we’re looking for someone with strong Excel skills, make sure to mention any advanced functions or templates you’ve created. If you have experience with financial software like SAP or PS Financials, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Altum Consulting
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Programme Finance Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your financial expertise. Brush up on key financial concepts, especially those related to budgeting and donor compliance. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully managed budgets or contributed to donor reporting.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Organisation
Research the charity's mission, values, and recent projects. Understanding their work in humanitarian response and development programming will help you align your answers with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you articulate how your skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Excel Skills are Key
Since proficiency in Excel is highly desirable, be prepared to discuss your experience with advanced Excel functions. If possible, bring examples of financial templates you've designed or adapted. This will showcase your technical skills and your ability to support programme delivery effectively.
✨Communication is Crucial
You'll be working across diverse international teams, so highlight your communication skills. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully engaged stakeholders or navigated negotiations. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and manage consortium negotiations confidently.