The role
We are currently looking for Finance Manager for GPE-STG Project based in Vientiane Capital.
Role Purpose
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has received a System Transformation Grant (STG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to implement the “Foundational Learning Improvement Project” in disadvantaged communities of 9 districts from 5 provinces: Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Salavanh and Saysomboun. The implementation period is 3.5 years, July 2025 to December 2028. The MoES is an implementing agency for the GPE-STG project and Save the Children is the grant agent providing fiduciary and technical oversight of the grant.
The GPE-STG program has been designed within the approved parameters of the Partnership Compact 2024-2028 that reflects extensive dialogue between the Government and its development partners, which is based on a comprehensive analysis of enabling factors and educational data. The priority reform objective of partnership compact is “Improving foundational learning outcomes for all and supporting students in lower secondary”. To achieving this reform objective, the GPE-STG project includes the following components:
- Expand one-year school readiness programs for five-year-old children.
- Strengthen continuous professional development (CPD) for primary school teachers.
- Support girls at risk of dropping out of lower secondary schools.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.
- Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.
Key responsibilities:
- Financial Planning and Budget Management
- Lead the financial management of the GPE-STG-FLIP portfolio, ensuring all funds are used efficiently, accurately and in compliance with SCI, GPE and Government of Lao PDR financial regulations.
- Lead the preparation of annual and quarterly financial plans and budgets in coordination with program and operations teams.
- Monitor financial performance against budgets and provide variance analysis with explanations and recommendations.
- Support program managers and MoES counterparts in budget forecasting, revisions, and alignment with implementation plans.
- Ensure that expenditures are in line with approved budgets and donor requirements.
- Play a key role in budget planning, financial monitoring, capacity building for MoES finance teams and ensuring internal controls.
- Provide strategic and operational financial guidance to support effective grant delivery, working under the guidance of the Team Leader of the GPE-STG Project, SCI Finance Director and Director of the GPE-STG Project of MoES.
- Financial Systems and Compliance
- Ensure financial transactions are recorded accurately and in accordance with SCI policies and GPE donor regulations.
- Maintain robust internal controls and financial risk management mechanisms for the STG.
- Review and approve financial documents, journals, and payment vouchers prior to processing.
- Ensure adherence to SCI’s procurement and financial authorization limits and donor audit requirements.
- Coordinate with internal and external auditors to facilitate timely audits and address recommendations
- Financial Reporting
- Prepare high-quality, timely, and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal management and donor submission.
- Consolidate financial data from SCI, MoES, and subnational implementing partners.
- Prepare financial statements and donor-specific expenditure reports as per GPE and SCI formats.
- Support management in presenting financial performance during joint review meetings with MoES and partners.
- Cash Flow and Treasury Management
- Oversee cash flow management for the STG project to ensure adequate liquidity for program activities.
- Prepare fund requests, disbursement schedules, and cash forecasts based on implementation needs.
- Ensure timely fund transfers to partners and districts, following SCI’s partner financial management procedures.
- Monitor bank reconciliations and cash balances to prevent overdraws or idle fund.
- Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support
- Provide financial training, mentoring, and coaching to MoES finance and accounting staff to improve financial management capacities.
- Support MoES in strengthening systems for budget tracking, expenditure monitoring, and reporting.
- Contribute to the development of simplified tools, templates, and SOPs for financial management under the STG.
- Work with MoES implementing units to ensure proper documentation, filing, and accountability for expenditures.
- Coordination and Representation
- Serve as the key financial focal point for the STG within SCI and for coordination with MoES, the Coordinating Agency (CA), and the Local Education Group (LEG).
- Participate in joint planning, implementation, and review meetings with government counterparts and partners.
- Provide technical inputs to ensure that financial considerations are integrated into project design and decision-making processes.
- Risk Management and Audit Readiness
- Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks across STG operations.
- Ensure compliance with SCI anti-fraud, anti-bribery, and safeguarding policies in all financial transactions.
- Maintain complete and organized financial documentation to ensure audit readiness at all times.
- Follow up on audit findings and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor or master’s degree in finance, accounting or any related field.
- This position is reserved for Lao nationality only.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- At least 7 years of relevant experience in financial management for large-scale donor-funded programs.
- Proven experience managing grants from multilateral donors (e.g., GPE, UNICEF, EU, World Bank, USAID).
- Strong knowledge of financial control systems, compliance standards, and audit requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple budgets and complex financial reporting requirements.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts.
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Agresso, SAP, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills.
- Fluency in Lao and good command of English (spoken and written). A. Financial Planning and Budget Management
- Lead the preparation of annual and quarterly financial plans and budgets in coordination with program and operations teams.
- Monitor financial performance against budgets and provide variance analysis, explanations and recommendations.
- Support program managers and MoES counterparts with budget forecasting, revisions and alignment with implementation plans.
- Ensure that expenditures are in line with approved budgets and donor requirements.
- Maintain a clear and updated financial overview of the STG project for reporting to SCI management, GPE, and MoES.
Contract length: Fixed term (1 year with the possibility of extension)
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.
Please apply via:
Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
