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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Contract Length

Fixed term (1 year with the possibility of extension)

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. Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card.